Daniel Caesar graced the stage at The Belasco as devout Los Angeles fans eagerly listened to “NEVER ENOUGH” live for the first time. Phones lit up with the notification of the album’s release on platforms as Caesar took the stage.
Alone on stage, Caesar left the theatrics behind and stripped his soul bare to his audience as he passionately sang through the entirety of his new album. The crowd listened quietly, taking in every word of the unheard songs as Caesar told the story of his newest project.
“It really means a lot that you guys are here right now,” Caesar said, emotion-filled.
“NEVER ENOUGH” is a key to Caesar’s thoughts and troubles. The songs range from playful and mellow to self-reflective and brokenhearted. Listeners are taken through the journey and cycles of finding love and falling in and out of it. Much like the rest of Caesar’s discography, each song centers his vocals.
The first song on the album, “Ochos Rios,” establishes how truthful and open Caesar is in this project. His words are raw and unfiltered as he speaks to relatable pains and emotions. “Ochos Rios” introduces the album’s overall themes of being lost, being in love and facing heartbreak.
“Girl, I don’t deserve you / You’re the one I turn to / Never meant to hurt you / You’re my saving grace,” Caesar sings. His admission of regret and need for this individual attests to how real and honest this album is.
“Toronto 2014″ emulates similar feelings of despair, hopelessness and the feeling of being lost. “If only I could find my way through space-time / Back to when I was happy being me,” Caesar sings.
Desire and love are other prevalent topics throughout the album. Caesar is adamant and forthcoming about his obsession and deep love for someone in several songs. In “Valentina,” he says, “From the first time I looked in your eyes / I knew that I would find a way / To make you mine.” There are no conflicted feelings or second-guessing — Caesar is blatant in love songs like “Do You Like Me?” and “Superpowers.”
With love comes heartbreak, and Caesar does not hide that in the album. In “Buyers Remorse,” he sings about the pains of being in a relationship that is breaking down after wanting nothing more than to be with someone and losing yourself in the process.
In “Let Me Go,” he speaks to the difficulties when an ex won’t let you move on in a passionate and intense way. “I’m tryna breathe, why won’t you let me? / I’m tryna leave, please just forget me,” Caesar sings.
“Always” shows him in a much different light, begging for someone to come back to them despite a breakup or a new relationship. “And I don’t care / If you’re with somebody else / I’ll give you time and space / Just know I’m not a phase,” Caesar pleads in “Always.”
In the last song in the album, which he proclaimed during the concert was his favorite, Caesar seems finally content and comfortable with the person he is with. “When I wake up in the morning, all me want to see is you,” he sings in “Unstoppable.” However, in this song, he speaks to more than just his feelings, but the relationship he has and the entity they have become. “Now who’s gon’ stop us? / We’re unstoppable, yes,” he sings. Unlike the other love songs on the album, “Unstoppable” shows Caesar having feelings reciprocated and solely happy and in love.
Caesar will visit six cities in his “Almost Enough: The Intimate Sessions” tour, ending in Berlin on April 22.