This is the sophomore effort from Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands singer/songwriter Naomi Sharon. Starting in 2018 with her debut single “Breeze”, she would go on to release 4 more singles until Toronto, Ontario, Canada superstar Drake signed her to OVO Sound for an impressive debut Obsidian giving a refreshing take on the way the label delivers alternative R&B going beyond that in favor of neo-soul, afrobeats, afro house, downtempo, sophisti-pop, deep house, ambient pop & smooth soul. Coming off The Only Love We Know however, she’s been getting No Sleep in Paradise.
“I Know” blends deep house & alternative R&B to kick things off singing about being built from broken time & stitched with 2nd chances whereas “Miss That” experiments with Afropiano admitting that she’ll miss the way her ex used to pull her in & kiss her back. “Weak” fuses alternative R&B with Afrobeats asking if this person even realizes that she’s hurting her while “Try” produced by KAYTRANADA & Jordan Ullman sings about having the whole night to reach the sun.
Moving on from there, “If You Wanted to You Would” brings the deep house elements back in the picture demanding to know why this person said they need her in their life just before the spacious “Starting Fires” encourages her partner not to hesitate with her heart. “Was It Ever Love?” finds herself questioning if her ex truly loved her since all he never showed that he sincerely cared while “Better Days” sings about her praying & waiting for things in her life to improve.
“Celebration” gets the 2nd half of No Sleep in Paradise going pleading to be drowned in the truth without any hesitation while “Pink City” sings about rivers & skies collide when stars surround you over a moody beat from Noel Cadastre. “Untitled” addresses an individual who waits & lets her bleed rather than chasing & pleading while “Half a Lie” sings about her always having to fake her peace along with desiring truth instead of perfection.
The song “Leaving” winds down the album’s final moments explaining to her partner that she can’t carry the weight of their paradise & getting out of their presiding town while “Light My Soul” sings for her lover to elevate her & kiss the fire in the middle of him lighting her soul over an Afropiano instrumental. The title track appropriately concludes No Sleep in Paradise confessing to her carrying love similarly to baggage she forgot to claim.
In only less than 3 years, Naomi Sharon has quickly risen above the ranks to become the most talented signee on the OVO roster & her 2nd album No Sleep in Paradise continues to validate that even if I’d put Obsidian above it. She might be the best songwriter on the label even if the neo-soul influences are being decreased compared to her last couple projects in favor of the production taking it’s inspiration from alternative R&B, alt-pop, sophisti-pop, Afropiano & deep house.
Score: 3.5/5
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