Human Being

The darker hues and downtempo textures of late-’90s trip-hop and alternative rock inform Seal’s third album, which combines the English singer/songwriter’s raspy voice with brooding, restrained arrangements. “Human Beings” adds a darker edge to the cinematic sprawl that dominated his earlier catalogue, while “Lost My Faith” is a slightly smoother, more soulful spin on the <i>Unplugged</i> ideal. “Colour”, meanwhile, synthesises Seal’s aesthetic with the moment’s vogue, building toward the triumphant moment when his voice gently rises up from a plush haze of strings and guitars.