While he may have risen to the spotlight in recent years, Julian King is an artist that has years of putting in work. Making his debut in 2018 as a gospel artist, the singer has journeyed through different sounds before finally landing on Afrobeats. In part influenced by the friendships he made during his time in university, as he balanced his studies and making music.
This musical journey culminated in his breakout success in 2023, with the Afro pop single One by one alongside SaintFloew. Propelled by it’s success on the radio charts and streaming platforms, Julian King became an artist to watch and a favoured collaborator. On the back of this success the singer announced his debut album, Misunderstood.
The 10 track project is strongly influenced by sounds from western African. The Julian King of earlier years is almost completely absent, and what rises to the surface is a wholly embrace of Afrobeats. Misunderstood is characterised by driving beat patterns, percussion and guitar riffs that distinctively sound Zimbabwean.
Over production Whiteboy, Phatso, WayneBeats, Papa Haniel, JSob and Silvrbeats, Julian King tells his story. He pours out his heart, in not only the tales about love but the songs that speak about never giving up.
Sorowe is seeped in African instrumentality and it’s declarations of love are propelled by an infectious rhythm. Marry me expresses the desire of finding the one, which is echoed by Dombo, a song about buying a rock for a love interest.
Offsetting the love songs, Commando is a defiant anthem of making your own way, while Eke speaks to overcoming problems.
On the surface the music should work, and it almost does yet there’s a deeper connection it fails to foster. The pop vocals that made One by one such a hit are missing, and this means Misunderstood has tracks that are not as gentle as could be on the ear. A potential terrarium of earworms has it’s potential unfulfilled.
After Julian King had achieved breakout success, the notion was that he had finally found the sound that suited him just right. However this album feels like he’s still searching for something else and not quite at home. There is a lot of potential but equally there are more than a few unrefined edges.
Songs like Kiss, Sara and Marry me provide some of the album’s brightest sparks but as a whole it feels off the mark. Maybe it was the weight of expectations or some other reason, but Misunderstood comes as a compilation of singles. The pop sensibilities that made the audience fall in love with Julian King are missing and ultimately that leaves a whole not easily ignored.
Misunderstood leaves mixed feelings, an album that attempts to reach for the stars but doesn’t get close enough.
