5050 Lullaby by Lemar: A UK Gem That Still Hits Right
If you’re into smooth beats, soulful vibes, and just a touch of that early 2000s flair, 5050 Lullaby by Lemar is worth a spin. Released back in 2003 under Sony Music UK, this album blends electronic and hip-hop with doses of house and RnB/swing. It’s like Lemar took all the good stuff from those genres, shook it up, and poured out something uniquely his own.
Let’s get into it—there are some real standouts here. First off, “Lullaby.” Man, this track has stuck with me for years. There’s something about the way it builds. Starts off soft, almost dreamy, then layers on these rich vocals and beats that just pull you in. It's one of those songs where you don’t even realize you’re nodding along until your head’s bobbing like crazy. Plus, the acoustic version they included? Absolute gold. Stripped-down but still so full of emotion—it reminds you how powerful simplicity can be.
Then there’s “50/50,” which feels like the heartbeat of the whole album. The original cut hits different, especially when you hear those remixes later on (shoutout to the Blacksmith R&B Rub—it slaps). But what makes “50/50” unforgettable is its groove. It’s got this hypnotic rhythm that feels equal parts dancefloor-ready and chill-out-session perfect. You could listen to it at midnight or noon, and it’d vibe either way.
The rest of the tracks hold their own too. Covers like “Let’s Stay Together” give a nod to classic soul while keeping things fresh, and the remixes sprinkled throughout keep the energy dynamic. Honestly, it’s wild how well this album flows considering how many styles it juggles.
Looking back, 5050 Lullaby feels like a snapshot of early 2000s UK music—a time when artists were experimenting and blending genres without overthinking it. And yet, it doesn’t feel dated. Maybe because Lemar’s voice carries this timeless quality, or maybe because we’ll always need tunes that make us feel something.
Here’s the kicker though—listening to this now kinda makes me wish I had a time machine. Not to change anything big, just to relive hearing “Lullaby” for the first time again. Or maybe to see if I’d finally learn how to dance properly to “50/50.” Spoiler alert: I wouldn’t. But hey, isn’t that part of the fun?
