Mayer Hawthorne’s super-catchy single, ‘Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out,’ caused a frenzy when it debuted on a red, heart-shaped vinyl months ago. The music itself’the drums, the harmonies, the melancholic falsetto’displayed Hawthorne’s affinity for soul music and a penchant for song writing. His full-length debut, A Strange Arrangement lives up to high hopes and shows the Detroit native’s understanding of his hometown legacy.

Like old Detroit soul, A Strange Arrangement covers an array of styles: some are Motown-ish (’Your Easy Lovin’ Ain’t Pleasin’ Nothin’), some are teary-eyed love songs (’I Wish It Would Rain’), and some are up-tempo thumpers (’The Ills’). Hawthorne sings mostly in falsetto (except on ‘Let Me Know’) and the song arrangements fit the mood and lyrics accordingly. He even covers the mega-rare soul joint ‘Maybe So, Maybe No’ by The New Holidays. And while the 12-tracks aren’t perfect (namely an unneeded a capella intro and moments where his vocal limitations show), Hawthorne proves doubters wrong, showing that a white kid from Detroit who loves soul can produce it without sounding imitative or corny.

At worst, A Strange Arrangement has a couple lulls: at best, it’s one of the most enjoyable records of the summer. Highly recommended.

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