What's Going On Review: A Soulful Plea for Peace
10/10 — Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)
Pros
- Gaye's silky, layered vocals
- Lush, flowing arrangements
- A message that still resonates
Cons
- Short running time
After years as a Motown hitmaker, Marvin Gaye fought to make an album of his own, reflecting on war, poverty and the environment. What’s Going On flows as a suite, with songs bleeding into one another.
What works
Gaye’s multi-tracked vocals are gorgeous, and the arrangements, with strings, congas and the Funk Brothers’ groove, are lush. The title track, ‘Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)’ and ‘Inner City Blues’ are timeless, and the message still resonates.
Where it falters
The album is short at around 35 minutes, and some of the second-half tracks are less distinctive.
Verdict
A beautiful, humane record that is as relevant as ever.
