Allen Stone
Radius
(Capitol Records)
Singer Allen Stone returns with his Capitol Records release, Radius, a sincere package of pop, soul, and R&B tunes. Having re-released his self-titled indie debut with ATO Records in 2012, one could only imagine what sounds would ignite from a major release three years later. Fears aside, though Radius is more polished than its predecessor, it still has Stone’s signature hippie-with-soul vibe of self-awareness. Most particularly on “American Privilege,†where he states, “Everyday I piss money away/I’m a material slave.â€Â Throughout the album, there’s a blend of love, self-doubt, hope, and spirituality in its content. Songs such as “Barbwire,†a bleeding ode to a particular female, the official first single “Freedom,†and the lovely “Guardian Angel†bring about a certain sincerity that’s natural for the Chewelah, Washington-native. Stone, 28, is still a new artist in the pop arena, so seeing his musical growth over the last few years has been quite exciting. Either way, recommended spins include “Barbwire,†“Where You’re At†and “Love.â€