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Sample Session: Destin Conrad – ROADRUNNER

A closer look at the details and standout moments that shape ROADRUNNER as Destin Conrad brings his Jamaican roots further into his music.




Rather than treating the project as a complete departure from the sound we know him for, ROADRUNNER feels like Destin allowing another side of himself to take the lead. There are moments that are playful, sensual, nostalgic and deeply rooted in Jamaican culture, while his smooth vocal delivery keeps the project connected from beginning to end.



ROADRUNNER

The title track feels like the right introduction to ROADRUNNER because it tells you almost immediately what kind of album you're listening to. The reggae influence is clear from the rhythm and percussion, but Destin doesn't completely leave behind the smooth R&B style that has become part of his identity. There is something immersive about the melody too. Rather than relying on a huge chorus or dramatic production, the track settles into its groove and lets the atmosphere do the work. It feels warm, rhythmic and very intentional. My only criticism is that it feels a little short. Just as you get completely settled into the sound, it's already moving on.


Lyrical Content: 7/10

Production: 8/10

Delivery: 8/10




FAVORITE LOVER



What I particularly like is how naturally he moves between his usual vocal style and the Jamaican-influenced delivery. It doesn't feel forced or like he's trying to prove that he can do dancehall. Instead, it becomes another part of the song's personality. The melody is understated but infectious. There's a nonchalant quality to the whole thing that makes it feel like something you'd have playing in the background of a late-night drive.


Lyrical Content: 7/10

Production: 8/10

Delivery: 8/10




DANGER ft. Amanda Reifer

DANGER is where ROADRUNNER really starts to hit for me. Amanda Reifer is a strong feature and her voice fits the production almost too well. There's a natural chemistry between the two that keeps the track from feeling like a standard feature situation. The melody has similarities to FAVORITE LOVER, but the production feels heavier. The drums and bass-line give it more movement and there's a bounce to the instrumental that immediately makes you think of a function. This is one of those tracks where the production is doing just as much work as the vocals. Destin's harmonies are another highlight. They sit around the main melody without overcrowding it, giving the song a fuller sound. His delivery is especially strong here too. He sounds completely comfortable in the rhythm.


Lyrical Content: 8/10

Production: 10/10

Delivery: 9/10




I LOVE YOUR BODY


I LOVE YOUR BODY is a fun addition to the project that keeps the album's flirtatious energy going. The chorus is catchy and the melody is beautiful. There's a playful quality to Destin's delivery that keeps it from becoming too serious, while the production continues the reggae and dancehall influence without feeling repetitive. One of those tracks that becomes more enjoyable the more you hear it. The production keeps that reggae influence present while Destin's vocals bring it back into his familiar R&B territory.


Lyrical Content: 7.5/10

Production: 8/10

Delivery: 8/10




NO MORE

The reggae influence becomes even more obvious on NO MORE, particularly through the bass and drums. The instrumental has a steady groove that keeps the track moving without needing to become overly energetic. There's a nice balance between the instrumentation and Destin's vocals here. Rather than filling the track with too much production, there's enough space for his voice to sit comfortably over the rhythm. The bass and drums immediately bring the reggae influence forward on NO MORE. Compared with some of the more sensual songs on the project, this one feels slightly more grounded in the genre. I really like the deep reggae influence, melody is contagious. It keeps the project rooted in its central sound while offering a slightly more restrained moment.


Lyrical Content: 8/10

Production: 7.5/10

Delivery: 7/10




DAY DRINKER INTERLUDE

It gives the album another texture without interrupting its flow. The melody has a mellow, almost rock-your-body quality that makes it easy to imagine in a completely different setting from some of the heavier dancehall tracks. I could hear this playing at a restaurant, family gathering or daytime function where people are talking, eating and letting the music sit naturally around them. It's also a reminder that ROADRUNNER isn't trying to make every track a dancehall anthem. Some songs are simply there to create a mood.


Lyrical Content: 7/10

Production: 8/10

Delivery: 7/10




NERVOUS


I previously reviewed NERVOUS and it remains one of the clearest representations of what Destin is trying to achieve with this project. It remains one of the strongest representations of the project's Jamaican identity. The dancehall influence is obvious, but Destin's R&B instincts are still present in the vocal melodies and harmonies. Compared with some of the more laid-back tracks, NERVOUS brings a noticeable jump in energy. The visual also plays an important role in how the track lands. The representation of Jamaican culture through the styling, setting and overall execution makes it feel like more than Destin simply experimenting with a new sound.


Lyrical Content: 8/10

Production: 10/10

Delivery: 10/10




SKIN OUT ft. Stalk Ashley

SKIN OUT brings Stalk Ashley into the world of ROADRUNNER, and it makes sense almost immediately. Her delivery sits naturally against the dancehall production and gives the track another vocal texture. The use of patois adds to the authenticity of the track while the melody keeps things smooth and sensual. There isn't an attempt to overcomplicate the production either. The rhythm does most of the work and both vocalists know when to let it breathe.


Lyrical Content: 7.5/10

Production: 8/10

Delivery: 7.5/10




CHI CHI

You can't really talk about CHI CHI without talking about the sample. Destin takes the Jamaican classic Chi Chi Man and places it inside his own version of dancehall. Sampling the Jamaican classic Chi Chi Man, is a bold choice considering the song's history and the conversations that can surround it. Some listeners may find the sample humorous, others may find it controversial but either way, you can't deny that it gives the track personality. Rather than simply reproducing the original, Destin places the familiar sample within his own sound. It creates a moment of nostalgia while still fitting into the wider dancehall direction of the album. It's definitely one of the more playful moments on the album and one that is likely to get people talking.


Lyrical Content: 6/10

Production: 9/10

Delivery: 9/10




DADAMAN ft. kwn

One of my favourites on the project. DADAMAN takes the album into a darker and more sensual space. The beat feels deeper than some of the brighter tracks, with the bass giving the song a heavier foundation while the melody remains smooth. kwn is also a very natural choice for this song. Her vocal style fits the atmosphere and she complements Destin without taking away from his presence. Their voices work particularly well together because both know how to use restraint. There are also a lot of references throughout the song that add personality without distracting from the production. It's sexy, dark and melodic without becoming overly dramatic.


Lyrical Content: 8.5/10

Production: 10/10 

Delivery: 10/10




NEED YOU

NEED YOU is one of the quieter moments on the album for me. It's still completely on theme, with Destin continuing to work within the reggae and dancehall palette. The melody is probably its strongest feature. Destin has a way of making even the softer songs feel polished through his vocal layering and controlled delivery. It does help maintain the album's consistency and gives the listener another more relaxed moment before the final stretch.


Lyrical Content: 7.5/10

Production: 8.5/10

Delivery: 8/10




OBSESSED

The harmonies are one of the strongest parts of the track and there are similarities to the feeling of NERVOUS, although this one feels deeper and slightly more atmospheric. The flutes add another interesting layer to the production, while the infectious beat keeps it from becoming too slow or overly mellow. Destin sounds particularly comfortable here and the combination of his vocals with the instrumentation makes this another standout. Definitely one of the stronger tracks towards the end of the album.


Lyrical Content: 7/10

Production: 8/10

Delivery: 9/10




TURN ME ON

Closing the album with TURN ME ON feels like a full-circle moment. Destin takes Kevin Lyttle's classic Turn Me On and slows it down, turning something instantly recognisable into something much more intimate. Rather than relying completely on the nostalgia of the original, he makes the track feel like his own. The sample works because he doesn't simply recreate the original. He takes the familiar melody and gives it his own treatment, layering it into the slower dancehall production while allowing his vocals to sit right at the front. This is probably my favourite vocal performance on the album. There's something very immersive about the delivery, especially against the deeper beat.

A very strong way to end the project.


Lyrical Content: 9/10

Production: 10/10

Delivery: 10/10




ROADRUNNER feels like Destin Conrad allowing himself to fully explore his Jamaican heritage through sound.

The strongest part of the project is that the reggae and dancehall influence never completely removes the R&B identity that has become central to his music. Instead, the two sounds sit alongside each other naturally. There are clear standouts in DANGER, NERVOUS, DADAMAN and TURN ME ON, but the project works because of how comfortably it moves between different moods.



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