Over the last two decades, James Fauntleroy has made a name for himself in the music industry as a producer and songwriter, penning hits for Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Rihanna and many others. But now, the Grammy Award winner is ready to formally debut as an artist with The Warmest Winter Ever. The album compiles his first two Warmest Winter projects—exclusively released on SoundCloud in 2014 and 2016, respectively—and nine new tracks. It's rare for an artist's first album to be a holiday one; however, The Warmest Winter Ever doesn't sound like a traditional holiday album, only to be played after Thanksgiving. Fauntleroy reimagines the genre by swapping the typical soundscapes for a wonderland of 808s, acoustic arrangements, skittering basslines and lush R&B melodies and harmonies to be played all year round. Across the LP's 25 tracks, Fauntleroy explores themes of romance set against the backdrop of Christmas. The Warmest Winter Ever opens up with the sensual track "Unwrapped", in which Fauntleroy untangles his relationship issues, pleading to "unwrap all of that bullshit". It's not all sad ballads about relationships (see: "Christmas List"), but Fauntleroy delivers cheeky and seductive tracks ("Bring That Shit to Santa", "Christmas Lights", "The Neck") that are perfect for a lustful Christmas between the sheets.
- 2024
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