Album Review: Maverick Sabre - 'Don't Forget To Look Up'

Since his previous LP, 2019’s When I Wake Up, London-Irish star Maverick Sabre has been honing his unique brand of soul, with electric results. Thankfully, Don’t Forget To Look Up maintains his hot streak.

From spine-tingling opener ‘Falling’, to the collaborations with London-based artists Demae and Sacha Keable – not to mention several stripped-back gospel tracks – the self-produced Don’t Forget To Look Up doesn’t put a foot wrong. 

An artist who only speaks when he has something worthwhile to say, Sabre variously explores humble infatuation (‘Can’t Be Wrong’); sexual connection (‘Something Special’); and spiritual growth ‘(Good Man’).

While gorgeous harmonies are the skeleton of the album, the 31-year-old’s love of soul is the backbone. That being said, Sabre’s respect for hip-hop harks back to his New Ross days and remains ingrained in his aesthetic. His growth as a storyteller is most apparent on ‘Middle Of Eden’, a track which highlights his humble ability to share the microphone at the perfect moment.

An artist who pulls others up the ladder with him and shrugs off ego, his production techniques have developed immensely, creating anthems with ease. It’s pure passion and power.

Scattered throughout are rap verses (the gripping ‘Like This’) and snippets of spoken word diary entries (‘Get By’). Sunny, gospel choir elements and rich falsettos bring the pace back up whenever the mood darkens, as on the infectious single ‘Walk These Days’ and the nostalgic ‘Time Away’.

Finally, the disco-drenched ‘Get Down’ transports the listener back to the ’60s. Overall – for that incredible voice alone – Sabre’s immersive project has zero skips. Awesome stuff.

Listen: Falling
9/10

Listen to Don’t Forget To Look Up via FAMM below:

Read an exclusive interview with Maverick Sabre in the current issue of Hot Press, out now.