Cee-lo Green is like a retro soul man from the future and his latest album, Lady Killer, reawakens throwback sounds with superhuman strength.  Though love lost, gained, and lusted after is a running theme, Cee-lo proves he's more than a Lady Killer- he's a dominator.
 
With gunshot sound effects, cinematic styled orchestra scores, and cathartic gospel wails- Cee-lo has a penchant for the dramatics, but only uses production tricks to enhance his music's authenticity.

He draws from the best of  bygone eras, using snappy Motown horns with uplifting strings in "Fool For You," and "Satisfied." There's disco glitz in the upcoming single "Bright Lights Bigger City," (there's even a touch of Van Halen-esque synths in the introduction). But then again, there's a dark sultry side in the bass heavy "Bodies" and churning groove "Please."

But the stand-out is the first attention-grabbing single, "F-- You."  In the Jackson 5-inspired 60's R&B sound, Cee-lo pits innocence vs. explicitness, old school vs. groundbreaking, and comedy vs. sincere talent.  It embodies Cee-Lo's ability to balance his eclectic persona with a revered grasp on soul/hip-hop/pop and music in general.

Lady Killer is streaming at NPR until its official release on November 9. Listen Now!