More Than You Know Album Review by Valeria Valdez

As dispiriting as it may seem to draw associations to the COVID-19 global pandemic, it is

indeed significant to place this timestamp on More Than You Know. For starry-eyed

Anthony, the album feels like a slingshot from the pandemic. The process through

which this body of work was made is the most meaningful part of his latest release. The end

product, he says, “is only a reflection of how we got there.” Its conception began on a walk to a

bar a few years ago that inspired what would become the track Wind Speak. But gradually, the

emotionally evocative album came together as a kaleidoscopic collage of Anthony’s influences

and a little help from his friends.

There were no expectations set for what More Than You Know should or would sound like. One

thing, however, was certain: there was no longer a need to seek validation for his music. Having

wrapped up a project with Brotha Trav & the Divinations, he felt as though he had spent that

time sharpening his tools and even picked up the bass guitar in homage to his late mother. His

approach this time was also much more subtler than his previous work— where he would

otherwise stack and stack upon his tracks, he instead simply trusted in the effect of doing less.

What came of this was a collection that took on a jazz style of improv production: each invited

musician had their role that was spontaneously conjured up as they jammed. There is a gamut of

artists on this album oscillating from classically trained to home grown DIY learners.

Anthony’s paramount hope is that anyone who listens to this album can take what they need from

it. There are clear influences of psychedelic rock, indie pop, alternative and the songwriting

structure of Alex G. The album begins with “Stash” which is reminiscent of the “Vein of Stars”

by The Flaming Lips, and even does a nod to Anthony’s appreciation for Blonde by Frank Ocean.

As the album progresses, his interlude track “Velvet Void” takes on a foreshadowing effect of

turbulence to come. The title track, which follows the interlude, is the heart of the album. It

offers a semblance of catharsis if not with its punk rock boom of sound then by the way the song

is patched together with grief lugging lyrics.

More Than You Know is a triumph that showcases Anthony’s willing vulnerability but also his

maturity as a musician, songwriter, producer, and overall artist. This is all, of course,

underpinned by his ever evolving curiosity for what music can do but even more so about the

contagion effect of working together with others. “It’s a movement,” he says, “you hold space,

make space, then take space.”

Anthony Miguel’s album More Than You Know can be found on streaming platforms such as

Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Soundcloud, and YouTube. More on Anthony can be found

via his instagram @/antmiguelmusic