It’s time to familiarize yourself with 451. The musical savant released his debut project in 2018, and standout track “Stay Awake” is now knocking on the door of 3 million streams. Since the release of that project, 451 has dropped a scattering of singles — some of which dominated my 2019 and 2020. This is why I was excited when 451 dropped his second full length album, Night Vision. Coming correct with his patented dark-textured tones, 451 delivers a beauty of a project: 9 songs and 28 minutes strong.

The London-native provides the energy on the first half of the album, grabbing his listeners’ attention with electric R&B slappers and catchy hooks. The first track off the album, “One Hyde Park,” sets the tone perfectly. 451 glides over the rumbling beat with his classic silvery processed vocals, singing,

"And you say i'mma take you to hell

Come, got a room at heartbreak hotel."

451 consistently tells stories of lust, so this line sets up the theme of the entire project. In yet another addictive hook, 451 shows he’s the master of melody in “One Hyde Park.” The only way I can get that song out of my head is if I throw on “Nobu No More,” which is the third track on the album. “Nobu No More” is a sexually driven track with bouncy, reggae-feeling production. This one is about finding a woman whom he lusts, and wants to, well, “eat” her like she’s Nobu. 451 seems to enjoy the games she plays with him, singing,

"Cause it’s cold out here

Yeah she’s crazy but she keeps me on my toes all year."

The track culminates in a tempo shift, as the beat slows and 451 mixes his vocals down several octaves — making him sound almost like a demon. If you didn’t know, 451 doubles as a producer and engineer, so he’s simply flexing his production skills in the end of “Nobu No More.”

This album is built like a night out. 451 brings the energy in the first half, and then hits a “come down” on the second half. Songs like “Sauga Summer,” “Amnesia,” and “Onyx” on the back half of the project show glimpses of regret, weariness, and contemplation. With slower melodies and intimate vocals, 451 proves to his listeners that he is a multidimensional artist. Falling into more traditional R&B on the second half, 451 finds a way to explain the deep-rooted emotions that come with the lustful stories told on the front half of “Night Vision.” I have two words for this album: complete project. With each track perfectly crafted, Night Vision should be given the respect it deserves. Start with “One Hyde Park,” “Nobu No More,” and “Girl of The Night.” Thank me later.

‍