An Offbeat by CFUV review
Photo via AboveGroundEnt.
wHIMSY, the latest release from Tampa-raised R&B artist Destin Conrad, marks an artistically bold turn in his career, moving away from more polished R&B stylings toward a looser, more organic sound rooted in jazz influences.
The album was recorded in two weeks in Los Angeles, according to Conrad, contributing to its energy and spontaneous feeling. Conrad brings in jazz and R&B legends on vocals and production, who help expand the project sonically. These risks show Conrad’s willingness to stretch and let the music breathe.
The production creates a smoky, after-hours mood, one that many (myself included) associate with jazz. It feels immersive. It feels sophisticated. Tracks like “wHIP” and “wASH U AWAY” capture this mood well. The jazz instrumentation does not feel inauthentic, as it sometimes can from non-jazz artists, but naturally part of the album.
Because wHIMSY was made quickly, there are some moments on the album that feel raw or less polished, but it adds to the charm; the lack of gloss gives it character.
Musically, Conrad strikes a fine balance between vocals and instrumentation — neither side feels overdone. He often restrains his own vocals to let the instruments take the spotlight, resulting in a satisfying balance.
The album’s themes are familiar to fans of Conrad. Love, desire, longing, frustration, and intimacy. Conrad frames these in a cinematic, sometimes humorous way throughout the project. Some tracks feature scenes and characters (“A Lonely Detective”) and provide an inner monologue (“drifting”).
Lyrically, he is not afraid to showcase the less glamorous parts of relationships, such as boredom, distance, and infidelity. In addition to award-winning jazz and R&B legends, the album also features a number of artists and vocalists. Keyon Harrold, Terrace Martin, Vanisha Gould, and James Fauntleroy are just a few names attached to the project, but they are not just featured names: their contributions feel woven in. They add to the cinematic aspects of the album, too — whether it’s Martin’s legendary saxophone performances setting the mood, or Gould’s soulful and charismatic vocal performances fully embodying the emotions of her character on “A Lonely Detective” and “BOREDOM.”
Even though Conrad is exploring new territory, wHIMSY does not feel disjointed. The interludes, spoken word sections, and pacing of the record feel intentional, with a pleasant flow.
There are moments when Conrad’s vocal delivery remains smooth and controlled, which is often a strength, but here, it feels like a missed opportunity, especially compared to the riskier instrumentals featured on the album. There are places I wish he would go further vocally, with more rawness and contrast. He has the talent and ability, so I can only hope he will continue to take more risks with his artistry on future projects.
Some of the stronger tracks on wHIMSY are “wHIP,” which sets the tone beautifully with moody trumpet and longing lyricism, “wASH U AWAY,” featuring a stellar fusion of intimate lyrics and captivating saxophone from Martin, “A Lonely Detective” due to it’s strong narrative storytelling, the wonderful Vanisha Gould’s feature, and the moral complexities raised by its lyrics, and “The W” with its smooth harmonies, immersive atmosphere.
wHIMSY largely succeeds in what it sets out to do. It is a genre-blending, atmospheric, emotionally honest album that showcases another side of Destin Conrad’s artistry. It might not be perfect, but its strengths lie in mood, sincerity, and musical exploration. It is strong, memorable, and brave — if occasionally uneven — but very much worth diving into, especially for listeners who appreciate jazz-painted R&B and cinematic storytelling.
