Daniel Caesar has always worn his heart on his sleeve, but Son of Spergy takes that vulnerability to church—literally. Opening with the organ-led hymn “Rain Down” alongside Sampha, complete with handclaps and audio of his aunt proudly declaring “That’s Spergy’s son,” this album is quickly a gospel-tinged meditation on faith, fatherhood, and finding himself in his father’s reflection, with his bedroom neo-soul as the backdrop.
It’s deeply personal, and maybe a bit too personal at times. The gospel theme has always been in the background in Daniel Caesar’s work, but here it has taken the wheel. Tracks feature layered gospel vocals that amplify the spirituality resonating through the music, and you can feel Caesar wrestling with his relationship to God and his dad (nicknamed Spergy for some reason) in equal measure. The music is grand, laying everything on the table alongside Bon Iver and a full choir, seeking to turn resentment into reconciliation on the last track, “Sins Of The Father.”
The thing is, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Son of Spergy. The sincerity is undeniable, and there are gorgeous moments—”Moon” with Bon Iver is a beautifully dazed affair where jazzy piano wafts through inventive, acoustic arrangements. “Root of all Evil,” is also classic Daniel Caesar; easy beat to follow, heavy neo soul vocals, and some soft groove-tinged bass. But the heavy spiritual themes can feel overwhelming, especially when the production favours folky instrumentation and organic, psychedelic textures on tracks like “Have A Baby (With Me), “Who Knows,” and “Touching God,” featuring Yebba and Blood Orange. As a whole, if you’re looking for transcendence and religious awakening, Son of Spergy might be for you. If you’re looking for neo soul bangers, there aren’t many.
