Mcamp's "Sexy in The Morning" Soulfully Unifies Vintage and Modern R&B
Though Portland weather has a reputation for being dreary and dejected, PDX-based Mcamp's newest single is anything but. Returning this week with his first track of 2021, "Sexy in The Morning’’ is Mcamp's love letter to classic and contemporary R&B, with a few dashes of new-wave and indie mixed in. Appealing to fans of both futuristic and nostalgic musical styles, this song has a little something for everyone - so consider this an opportunity to be 'in the know' before your friends add this to their weekly rotations.
There's almost too much to unpack with "Sexy in The Morning,“ but one of the first things to notice is its stellar production. Mcamp begins the track with bright and shimmering synths, ones mixed so well that they seem to shine through our collective winter overcast. They sound fine-tuned to his vocal performance, which would make sense because Mcamp produced, mixed, and mastered the track himself. Mcamp's voice is not only infectiously catchy, but it is versatile too, with the singer effortlessly hitting those hard-to-reach falsetto notes at a moment's ease. It almost sounds like an early cut from Smokey Robinson, or even 1971 Marvin Gaye, until the mix introduces a booming bass track full of lurching low ends. Together all the tracks work in tandem to deliver fans a seductive and dream-like single that, after this month, was much needed. Perfectly capturing the blissful serenity of waking up next to a loved one, Mcamp's writing will leave listeners repeatedly singing lines like "Wake up in the mood / throw that t-shirt on the ground".
Above all else, Mcamp manages to compose an earnest and heartfelt track full of nods to his R&B predecessors on "Sexy in The Morning." While original, the track can't help but draw comparisons to Mcamp's favorite artists, but this is a good thing. The song illuminates an uncommon music taste for someone in their early 20s, and Mcamp's deep admiration for older singers like D'Angelo and newer artists like Anderson .Paak help lend credibility to the style he occupies. It is clear that "Sexy in The Morning" was made by someone not trying to vapidly emulate vintage styles for an anodyne track - instead Mcamp appreciates them to the extent that their incorporation into his music feels natural.
When talking with Mcamp and his team, he revealed that one of the main things that initially inspired "Sexy in The Morning" was quarantine loneliness, a malaise that affected many of us during the early months of COVID-19. This track was likely a method of escape for Mcamp, writing about a future he hoped to experience during a time that was not easy for anyone. Though "Sexy in The Morning" eventually evolved into an optimistic celebration of sentimental love, the single subtly represents an uncommon willingness to be vulnerable. After hearing about an incident where an anxious Mcamp was encouraged to perform for the legendary producer Babyface on a day's notice, it became apparent that Mcamp is not just a talented young singer and songwriter - he is an artist with an extreme amount of potential and a rare sincerity.
After the release of last year's "I Wanna", fans are likely ravenous for more music from Mcamp, and "Sexy in The Morning” is certain to satiate that hunger. It seems as though we can only look forward to singles for the time being, but there's no telling how Mcamp will blend both old and new styles with his signature production and vocal register. Though it may be a while until his next release, "Sexy in The Morning" will likely inspire many to anticipate it eagerly.
