Let’s get some things straight: Anderson .Paak is…

 

The most transcendental musician alive.

 

One of very few modern artists worthy of a collaboration with Smokey Robinson.

 

Full of surprises.

 

There is nothing the now emergent leader of the world’s instrumental era of post-genre can’t do. He is, and has been, the most wide-ranging proponent of beautifully blended stylistic direction, seamlessly tip-toeing the grey areas between hip-hop, R&B, neo-soul, funk, jazz, rock, and electronic through four albums. And now, swiftly moving towards his fifth, he brings the world something we simply aren’t worthy of. Make It Better is expectedly indefinable by existing standards, and that nonexistent lane has always been .Paak’s alone. Channeling his inner Motown and recruiting one of the best to ever do it, Smokey Robinson, .Paak calmly and collectedly embarks down a timeless path and delivers the second classic en route to his upcoming album release, Ventura. Coupled with King James, it would seem that .Paak is heavily exploring the motifs and nuances of the classic funk and soul scenes, coupling them with his impeccably unique lane for something special that would from any other artist be all but unobtainable. But from .Paak, these unexpected explosions of genial risks taken have come to be special, but unsurprising.