Chronicles of a Diamond – Black Pumas, an album review

The first time I heard the Black Pumas was when their song “Colors”  popped up on my Spotify Discover Weekly. Since then, it’s become an absolute star on my playlists, with its building chorus and message of community. Since 2019’s self-titled first album, the band has built a following through their exceptional live shows that emphasize this sense of community that music creates. When I found out that the band had released another album after five years, I was absolutely ecstatic. Their first album was nominated for seven  GRAMMYs, so my hopes were high as I hit play on their newest album, Chronicles of a Diamond.

The second studio album of the duo, Chronicles of a Diamond feels like an intimate conversation with its authors about the intricacies of life and love. The album is predominantly written by vocalist Eric Burton, while the other half of the duo, composer Adrian Quesada, handles the instrumentals. A departure from their first album, which relied heavily on a natural, live sound, Chronicles of a Diamond utilizes sound technology to lean further into the self-categorized “electric church” sound the band is known for. The album boasts a handful of traditional love songs as well as some that touch on the depth and complexity of life, such as  “More Than a Love Song,” “Sauvignon,” and “Tomorrow.” The album rounds out with what might be the thesis of the album, “Rock & Roll.” The album’s hazy messaging allows the listener to imprint their own life experiences onto the strange, yet soothing rhythms.

“More Than a Love Song”

“More Than a Love Song” paints a portrait of a fantasy while simultaneously deconstructing it, explaining  that life is more complicated than the pretty things we tend to focus on. The two songbirds in the song symbolize the freedom that music permits us, likening it to flying. The bridge breaks down this message, focusing on how there’s always a melody when  life gets hard, so when “You start to lose your mind,” “just grab your sister’s hand” and “fly together.” Like the title of the song suggests, the life we live is more complicated than a song so “You got to use the music, sweet soul music/To reignite your soul.”

“Ice Cream (Pay Phone)”

“Ice Cream’s” peppy beat mimics the feeling of an intense craving, like a sweet tooth, as Burton asks “Little darling/Can I call you on the pay phone?” The bright melody brings a sense of airiness the listener can’t help but groove to. The lyrics are innocent and childlike, describing an “Ice cream cake with vanilla on top” while Burton tells the song’s love interest to “stay gold,” a reference to the young adult novel, The Outsiders. “Ice Cream” is a plea for a  young relationship as adolescent crushes grow into something stronger.

“Mrs. Postman”

“Mrs. Postman” begins with a low, heavy piano melody in rich juxtaposition to “Ice Cream’s” airy  mood. This beautiful transition into maturity fulfills the theme of life that drives the album. While the identity of the postman is never revealed, “Mrs. Postman” paints the story of a figure that brings sunshine with her presence. Consistent weather motifs give a feeling of inevitability, like the postman that can be relied on daily, as Burton sings, “All the same, I know that everything will be right on time.”

“Chronicles of a Diamond”

The titular song of the album feels the most personal of the bunch, with a message of perseverance and grit. The lyrics “If you want to win/as much as you want to breathe” drive home the message of the need to succeed. It’s a look at life through the author’s eyes; how the world keeps spinning and how it’ll keep moving on with or without you. As the song progresses, the chorus transitions from using the word “you” to “I,” as the narrator falls deep into his own yearning for success.

“Angel”

“Angel” begins with a beautiful guitar riff that allows the listener to breathe into this piece of art with its creators, as the album takes on a heavenly turn. Venturing into dreamland, the vocalist asks,  “Is she really real?” It’s a question of reality and humanity as we “come alive” and the guitar transitions from acoustic to electric. In the second chorus, snaps are layered into the background as an organ further solidifies these heavenly motifs.

“Hello”

“Hello” utilizes a similar tone, with a sound more akin to an 80s synth than a church organ. As the vocals come in, repeating “Hello,” the synth soars. The lyrics “I never want to go again / I have to let you know again,” tells the story of a lover returning to their beloved. This sweet repetition turns the listener into a hopeless romantic as the vocals croon “I know you know / I love you so.” But we are reminded that love is not all roses, as the vocals end the song pleading “Take my heart, but please don’t break it.”

“Sauvignon”

“Sauvignon” departs from the piano-heavy theme of the past songs with a funky guitar riff that had my head bopping along as I listened to it. The lyrics “Sauvignon on the ferry” describe “the ride of a lifetime.” This is the most lyrically complex of the album, describing taking joy in the ride that we all must take: life. It’s a tonal shift for the latter half  of the album, coming back to earth from the heavens.

“Tomorrow”

“Tomorrow” drives the album forward, as Burton sings “Put the keys in my ignition/ ‘cause I’m no longer waiting wishing.” The song is about looking forward to what comes next. It’s an emotion that many can sympathize with– “All I want to do is go somewhere.” Burton’s vocals are rich with wanting, further solidifying the message of desiring to take control and move forward in life, running toward something and yearning to “shine in my soul and spirit.” It’s a beautiful message full of emotion.

“Gemini Sun”

“Gemini Sun” starts off addressing a “Lovely flower, dressed up on the wall,” asking to show how to “Ease the mind today.” It’s a song about wanting something beautiful, but it’s decisively not a love song. The  chaotic riffs and dark lyrics tell the tale of an addiction kind of love. The jumps between this chaos and the lighter chorus where the narrator describes how good his love interest looks in the morning leans into the Gemini allegory and further communicates the volatility and danger of this kind of love.

“Rock & Roll”

“Rock & Roll” holds  a sense of urgency in its chords and repetition, but its lyrics are not clear in their messaging. To this listener, it feels like a reaction to the chaos of the world, telling the audience to “rock:” to party, to go hard with confidence, and to “roll:” to go with the flow, to take what comes at you, to keep moving forward. The inclusion of distinct movements like “Motivation/ Innovation/ Inspiration/ Temptation” and “Liberation/ Ego Death” feel intimately connected to the self, while “Middle East/ To the West” seems to be a reference to global politics. Yet, each movement returns to the motif  of “Rock & Roll.” Perhaps it’s the thesis of the album, to keep playing music and keep moving forward even as life throws obstacles your way.

“Chronicles of a Diamond” is fun and fresh, a worthy addition to the band’s discography. The duo has clearly progressed and leaned into their own found sound since the release of their first album. With its 43 minute run time, “Chronicles of a Diamond” makes a perfect walking soundtrack– just be careful, because you may find yourself singing along in no time!