Weather changes seasonally, but nightfall — and its accompanying feelings — is a constant. PartyNextDoor’s music covers the spectrum, from carnal to contemplative, but his sound is undeniably magnified by the fall. The sun sets earlier, nights get a little colder, and the desire for a companion to hibernate with until the next season with grows stronger.
PartyNextDoor, born Jahron Brathwaite, is skilled in the creation of atmosphere. Since signing to fellow Canadian Drake’s OVO Sound imprint, the 23-year-old singer, songwriter and producer has released a trilogy of moodboard-like projects: 2013’s “PartyNextDoor,” 2014’s “PartyNextDoor Two” and August’s “PartyNextDoor 3.” They’re marked by a downtempo sleepiness — the abiding OVO signature mastered by Drake, himself. This year, PartyNextDoor targeted success outside of the Drake creative braintrust. He wrote two songs on Rihanna’s “Anti,” including the chart-topping “Work.” But PartyNextDoor isn’t content with being a subordinate or the ghost in another star’s machine; he wants to be seen as a star in his own right. PartyNextDoor may come alive at night, but his sold-out pass through the Fillmore Silver Spring on Wednesday made it clear that he’s reaching for the spotlight.
Like Drake, PartyNextDoor represents Toronto and its surrounding suburbs as an overcast bubble. He paints himself as a withdrawn lothario who navigates the city to a soundtrack of skittering, rainy-day hi-hats and dense bass until, ironically, the dreary alt-reality wakes up at night. Confidently sauntering through a matrix of red lights, he opened his set with “High Hopes.” As “PartyNextDoor 3”’s tone-setter, it’s cold, steely and hollow — stripped of all complexities and morals. His brazen declaration — “You’re always mine and your man knows” — says all you need to know about his respect for fidelity. “1942,” another crowd favorite, endorses Don Julio tequila as the catalyst for many of his after-hours escapades. It’s not particularly deep on a lyrical level, but no one visits PartyNextDoor’s world (be it via an album or concert) for depth.
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What he excels at is creating an ambiance. At its best, it’s nocturnal — a detail both he and Drake recognize and benefit from. PartyNextDoor also recognizes that the most popular section of his catalogue is Drake-adjacent, which is why he reserved it for his set’s climax. “Recognize,” “Preach” and the breezy “With You” highlight the intersection of their styles, but “Come and See Me” epitomizes the understudy’s sound and how it’s enhanced by timing. The placid ode to one-sided relationships, his biggest hit to date, landed with the urgency of every 2 a.m. come-hither text exchanged between casual partners.
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