Nick Hakim’s fourth and latest album, “I Can See,” marks his most focused work to date. Despite unhurried tempos and smoky vibes, the record features seriously structured songs with multiple layers of soft, soulful vocals and shimmering keyboards.
“Real Here Now” stands as one of the album’s highlights—a gorgeous R&B track with crossover appeal. The following song, “U Can Make It,” is a densely layered composition built around a thudding electronic bass drum, echo-drenched piano and layered vocals.
The album’s hazy sound is integral to its identity. Vocals and instruments waft in and out of the mix like music from a passing car or sounds from an adjacent apartment. The production pairs conventional snare and rimshot sounds with heavy digital bass, heavily treated piano and backing vocals that float like a chorus of ghosts.
After the more conventionally structured songs in the album’s first half, the final tracks continue toward murkier territory, piling on effects reminiscent of dub reggae. “I Can See” exists as a realm beyond alternative R&B—music from a different planet.
See Nick Hakim live
Upcoming Nick Hakim events with tickets available:
- Sep 17, 2026 — Black Cat – DC, Washington, District Of Columbia · Get tickets
- Sep 18, 2026 — First Unitarian Church – PA, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Get tickets
- Sep 19, 2026 — Warsaw, Brooklyn, New York · Get tickets
- Sep 20, 2026 — The Sinclair Music Hall, Cambridge, Massachusetts · Get tickets
- Sep 26, 2026 — Turf Club, Saint Paul, Minnesota · Get tickets
Source: Variety Music
