Album Review: Maverick Sabre, Burn The Right Things Down

Hyped and loved throughout the early 2010s following the release of his debut Lonely Are The Brave, Maverick Sabre’s music journey took a new direction in the latter half of the decade, after he began coaching and writing with R&B singer Jorja Smith (whom he later played a major role in turning into a megastar).

For those who have followed Maverick’s career since he went from being a hopeful rookie to an industry mentor, it’s felt like his most recent work has been more unshackled and experimental than anything he’s done before.

Ahead of the release of Burn The Right Things Down, he wrote in a statement: “Don’t ever expect anything, I make whatever resonates and excites me.” It’s a somewhat understated marketing message, sure, but still an apt one, with BTRTD beautifully showcasing Maverick Sabre's unique neo-soul aesthetic.

On songs like ‘You Don’t Even Need It’, you want to let him croon into your ear for hours, while on single ‘If Only I Could Love You Again’, you’re reminded how sharp he is when it comes to soulful production. The music is superb throughout (particularly on ‘Beloved’ and ‘Make You Proud’), while later songs like ‘Face In The Crowd’ and celestial closer ‘Lonely People’ ensure the quality control remains impressively high.

8/10