Fique (Taufik Batisah) | 4/5

SINGAPORE – Expressive, emotive and energetic: These are the three words I would use to sum up Taufik’s latest album, Fique. Featuring 13 tracks, Taufik seems to have paid special attention to how the tracks are laid out on the album - for example he inserts two ballads after a heavy R&B number - which makes listening to the whole of Fique enjoyable for those who like to listen to it at one go. Besides serving up catchy R&B-laced numbers such as #awakkatmane (where are you), Gila x3 (featuring rapper Altimet) and XXX, there’s also a good mix of other genres. Jangan Berubah is a funk-inspired number and the acoustic bossa nova sound is present on Inginkamu. I found myself veering more towards Taufik’s ballads such as Cinta Tak Bernyawa (his duet with singer Shila Amzah), Ikrar Kasih and Harus Begitu - as the singer’s vocals displayed a fragility and yearning that give each ballad on the album that much needed roundness and maturity. Kudos to Taufik for taking time and effort to curate and edit all the material for this album - Fique is truly a good comeback effort with just about the right mix of material that will appeal to new and current fans alike.