You might not know the name Aaron Frazer yet, but chances are you’ve heard some of his previous work, namely as a drummer and vocalist with Durand Jones & The Indications, singing lead on “Is It Any Wonder?” Among the people who noticed that track was Dan Auerbach, who liked it so much that he went to work producing Frazer’s debut solo album, Introducing….

One of my favorite feelings is when you put on an album for the first time and it feels like you’ve already been listening to that album your whole life. It just feels that familiar and comfortable to you. That’s the feeling I got the first time I listened to Introducing…. What will come at you first and foremost is Frazer’s excellent falsetto as he travels through twelve smooth soul tracks that will feel like a warm blanket coming through your stereo. The majority of the album falls into this early ‘70s symphonic soul space that’s reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield, with touches of Al Green thrown in for good measure as he occasionally leans on some blues and gospel as a foundation. You’re mostly getting some classic loves songs from Frazer, but he’s not afraid to switch things up and get serious about political commentary on tracks like “Bad News” and “Have Mercy.” The whole project comes off without a hitch, with Frazer finding just the right balance between the vulnerable sound of singing in falsetto and the confidence that comes from knowing that he’s ready to step into the spotlight and shine as a solo artist that can write, play, and sing with the best of them.

There’s no big secret as to what makes Introducing… such a compelling listen. Aaron Frazer is a great singer with a lot of charisma, musicality, and a sense of who he is as an artist. This is an album that you can listen to over and over again and not get tired of it.