Album Review: PND 4 - PartyNextDoor Returns with a Nostalgic and Thought-Provoking Album

Amidst a 10-year-old Tumblr URL, there is a playlist of nostalgic music that includes various singles by PartyNextDoor, one of the most hopeless romantics of 2010's R&B. Recently, the Toronto-born artist surprised the digital world by announcing his new name-titled album and revealing its cover and release date three weeks prior. Despite his relevance and accolades, including becoming the first artist signed to Drake’s OVO Sound record label, 2 Grammy Award nominations and most recently the resurface of his single 'Her Way' turning into a viral hit in the TikTok realm, fans were left wondering "Where is PartyNextDoor?" since his last project was released four years ago.

PartyNextDoor, also known as Jahron Braithwaite, has established a unique identity in the music industry since his debut album "PARTYNEXTDOOR" in 2013, subsequently gaining him popularity in the alternative R&B and trap soul scene. His latest album is a testament to the importance of self-improvement, with no other featured artists, his recent project feels like a love letter and reflection towards a somewhat turbulent relationship. His melodic vocals blend effortlessly with the accompanied instruments making his songs the perfect choice for a night drive. The opening single "C o n t r o l" brings back the sudden comfort from Partynextdoor's previous albums, almost instantly drawing listeners in and bringing back memories of his previous song "Persian Rugs". What stands out the most with PND 4 is the more attentive lyrics and less heavy instrumental over-powering, making it easier for listeners to recognise each song in his long list, in his own words Party expresses: "When I was recording, it felt like I was writing a movie that featured the scenes of my life. I want my fans to experience this album in a way that allows them to take exactly what they need from it..whatever they are going through.”

With its 45-minute runtime, PND 4 feels like an ode to growth and development, released at just the right time. It acts as a harbinger of the present state of alternative R&B, providing a glimpse into the current landscape of the genre. Despite its brevity, this album offers a comprehensive outline of the scene. More and more listeners are shifting their focus from fleeting one-hit wonders by their favourite artists to more profound and thought-provoking compositions that allow them to introspect. With several highly-anticipated headlining performances lined up for festivals like Broccoli City and Afro Nation, party enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to this summer as they embark on a journey of exploration.

Top three songs:

C o n t r o l

M a k e I t To T h e M o r n i n g

Fa m i l y

Listen to PND 4 here...