Montell Fish returns with a haunting, soul-revealing new offering. his latest single, “Is It a Crime?” It is the second taste of his highly anticipated album, Charlotte. It is a haunting reflection on obsession, ethics, and the blurry line between love and fixation.
Launching with an intoxicating mixture of beautiful guitar riffs and rich, shadowy synths, Fish constructs a sonic environment that feels small and boundless. The production leaves room for contemplation, with silence rivaling the power of sound. Then, as the drums fade away, Fish’s fragile yet powerful falsetto remains, “Is it a crime, crime you’re on my mind?” a naked admission clothed in melody. His words are heavy, echoing like a question without an easy answer.
“Is It a Crime?” clearly mines an irresistible Prince-flavored groove, but Fish makes it his and nothing else, straddling a line between indie, gospel, and alternative R&B. His gift for writing music with a personal feel yet a universal resonance is demonstrated conclusively, making it clearer than ever why he’s one of the most compelling artists of his era.
“Is It a Crime?” Charlotte on the Horizon provides a preview of an album that sounds sonically lush and has a high concept. If this single is an indication, Montell Fish is welcoming us into a spell, one haunting note at a time.