Fantastic Negrito: Son of a Broken Man Review

Highly anticipated album Son of a Broken Man by the three-time GRAMMY winner Fantastic Negrito hit the shelves, both virtual and literal, on October 18, 2024 released via the artist’s own label Storefront Records. This marks the return to the electric sound following a fully acoustic Grandfather Courage LP released in 2023. Having experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and using life’s volatility as the main source of inspiration, the Oakland-based musician in his own words invites the listener to ‘hear the story of life after destruction’.

The new album digs deep into topics of family, love, deception, and betrayal as suggested by the opening mood-setter track titled “First to Betray Me”. This brief intro features spoken voices recalling moments of betrayal over a funky instrumental. The journey continues with a heavily fuzzed guitar riff played by Masa Kohama building a strong foundation for a proper Zeppelinesque banger that is “Runaway From You”. Fantastic Negrito’s primal scream vocals are at their finest and sure to grab your attention right away with no intention of letting go. Somewhat unexpected and serving as a complete contrast to that high-octane sound, what follows is a heartfelt ballad “I Hope Somebody’s Loving You” which presents an ideal pick if ever on the lookout for a slow-dance number.

This is followed by three back to back foot-stompers: “Skirty” and “Living with Strangers” sandwiching a rootsy “Goddamn Biscuit”. Lyrically, the trio revisits the betrayal and family themes. The groove is impeccable in all three tunes making the urge to move along to the rhythm near-impossible to resist. The hypnosis is broken by “Zollifer Files” which is another spoken-word mood-setter, this time adding a somewhat darker shade to the overall atmosphere. Amid this estrangement testimony, a keen ear can notice some Hungarian in the background, where a slightly annoyed voice is hitting the nail on the head with a phrase ‘nem tudom ki vagy’ translating to ‘I don’t know who you are’.

No hesitation however to return to phat grooves, a funky edge and heavy guitars with some wah on top. “Devil in My Pocket” feels almost like a nod to Rage Against the Machine in certain moments, although much more sultry in style. Fantastic Negrito goes on to slow the pace down again with moody “California Loner” setting a nostalgic vibe. This continues with “My Only Friend Is You”, arguably one of the most interesting tunes on the album – so well arranged, backed with strings and synths, with a sprinkle of exotic scales in the solo, giving a unique dimension to the sound.

The bluesy “Crooked Road” featuring a killer hammond organ is bridged by an interlude labeled “The Children Are Waiting” with an optimistic and bouncy “This Little Light of Mine”, bringing warm and cosy feelings before the title track finale. “Son of a Broken Man” is a straight-from-the-heart soul-infused ballad leaving us with the message that ‘only the dreamers survive’.

Son of a Broken Man is a crazy ride, and its true magic lies in the wide range of styles and polarities of the tracks which is the perfect metaphor for all the ups and downs that the artist has been through.

The Review: 8.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Devil in My Pocket
– My Only Friend is You
– Son of a Broken Man
– Skirty
– Runaway from You

The Big Hit

– Devil in My Pocket