Since 2012, PJ Morton has served as one of the keyboardists for pop/rock band Maroon 5. However, he also has a successful solo discography that includes seven solo albums, four live albums, two EP’S, and one mixtape. Morton is currently working hard on his eighth solo album and recently released the first single, “Please Don’t Walk Away.”
A beautiful ballad that harkens back to the sound of seventies soul, opens with beautiful piano sounds before Morton starts to croon. One of Morton’s vocal strengths is that he never over sings his material, choosing instead to stay in his natural register while highlighting his musicianship skills.
“Please Don’t Walk Away” is a song about a man begging his love not to leave, and Morton easily sells the song with honest lyrics such as:
“It’s never gone this far
It’s never been this bad
But I won’t let it erase the memories
Of good times; we’ve had”.
The song’s strength is in Morton’s vocals and something that we can all relate to when things go south in a relationship. I can easily see this song featured in a romantic comedy or dramedy set to a scene where our hero reflects on what he did wrong and attempts to get his lady back. “Please Don’t Walk Away” is Morton at his best and may garner the singer another Grammy award.
Final Grade: A
“Please Don’t Walk Away” is available on all streaming platforms.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, we will venture to the city of Brotherly Love and give some flowers to Major Harris and his solo debut, My Way. Harris had already made a name for himself, performing with groups such as the Charmers, The Teenagers, the Jarmels, and Nat Turner Rebellion. Later, he would find success as a member of The Delfonics.
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, we’re returning to 1995 to show some love to TLC with their song “Red Light Special,” the second single from their massively popular sophomore album, CrazySexyCool.
On Drake’s most recent album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U which hit store last Friday he joined forces with his labelmate Party Next Door for this collaborative project. The album attempts to address themes related to intimacy and allure but does not reach the high standard established by the artist’s earlier music. Listeners search for the depth and innovation that have been the signature elements of Drake’s musical trajectory.