Jordan Mackampa - “Parachutes”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…Aloe Blacc, Travis, Michael Kiwanuka

Jordan Mackampa’s R&B grooves often find as much in common with soft indie rock than the classic melodies of his roots, broadening his songs with spacey guitar riffs and anthemic choral builds for a full-throated sound. Mackampa’s voice is ultra-smooth, a rich instrument with deep range and a weapon he employs liberally especially on the trio of recent tracks released in anticipation of the British artist’s debut full-length Foreigner. While Mackampa’s breakthrough 2016 EP Physics was a beautiful slice of ambient folk, “Under” is a jazzy acoustic pop number and latest single “Parachutes” is an arena-ready breakup ballad of light, sing-a-long hooks. It’s a mainstream push that’s ripe for Mackampa’s sound and talent, cleanly produced and highlighting mature songwriting over the chilled-out adventurism of his earliest tracks. Both approaches are really well done regardless, so it’ll be interesting to hear how hard Mackampa leans into this evolved sound hearing the whole of Foreigner this March. (Kevin McStravick)