Artist Playlists
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A savvy tunesmith and snarling guitarist, Lenny Kravitz rips through genres with stylish flair. His early hits are planted firmly in vintage styles; one of the biggest, “Are You Gonna Go My Way”, is a blast of neo-Hendrix gospel-rock. At the end of the '90s, he started churning out infectious hypno-jams, such as “Fly Away”, that boast mantra-like choruses and alt-rock riff crunch. Though his lyrics often plead for peace, love and compassion, 2014's unruly foot-stomper “Dirty White Boots” is a hip-swivelling example of Kravitz's gift for imagery so carnal it will make you blush. - As much as Lenny Kravitz likes to deliver a big, distorted hook, his retro-tinged rock ‘n' roll is full of nuance. “Calling All Angels” floats along at a soft sway led by piano and delicate orchestration. “Thinking of You” is all sensual bedroom soul with just the slightest touch of funky guitar work. And “Flowers for Zoë” is a swirling and gentle ode to his daughter, featuring sparse, poignant strings.
- Lenny Kravitz is an artist in love with the classics. He plays writhing guitar licks over a blend of rock and R&B, echoing Prince's most physical forays into carnal funk (“I'm Yours”) and Jimi Hendrix's groovy, wah-wah psych jams (“Dolly Dagger”). But don't forget his hero John Lennon: the angry, blues-rock tirade “I Found Out” presages Kravitz's own seething social commentaries.
- Lenny Kravitz's rollicking guitar swagger created a blueprint for numerous retro rock ‘n' rollers. You can hear his funk-based riffage in Ben Harper's smooth “Black Rain” and his amplified, head-nodding rhythms in the wah pedal of Kid Rock's “Roving Gangster (Rollin')”. And D'Angelo's slinky “The Root”, with its smoky delivery and jazzy six-string lines, recalls Kravitz's neo-soul leanings.