What makes Kiss Serious by Chico DeBarge notable?

The album received positive critical reception for its smooth production and vocal delivery, contributing to the burgeoning New Jack Swing movement. It helped establish Chico DeBarge as a notable artist in the late '80s R&B landscape, eventually leading to chart placements that solidified his career. Kiss Serious is Chico DeBarge's debut album, released in 1987 when he was just beginning to carve out his niche in the R&B scene. Following his family's legacy in music, this record marked his entrance into the industry and showcased his unique blend of soul and contemporary sounds.

How many songs are on Kiss Serious?

Kiss Serious has 10 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Kiss Serious

Chico DeBarge · 1987

38 min · 10 tracks · soul

Smooth soul melodies intertwine with heartfelt lyrics and lush instrumentation, creating an intimate late-night vibe.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Kiss Serious — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of romantic longing, featuring a captivating melody that showcases DeBarge's emotive vocal style.
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Love Addiction — This song stands out for its infectious groove and relatable lyrics about the complexities of love, making it a fan favorite.
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Don't Move So Fast — With its upbeat tempo and playful lyrics, this track highlights DeBarge's ability to blend charm with intricate musicality.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

Kiss Serious features smooth melodies and heartfelt lyrics but lacks standout compositions across its runtime.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a more upbeat rhythm.
Several songs incorporate layered harmonies and call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the soulful feel.
The album closes with a ballad that shifts to a slower tempo, creating a reflective mood as it ends.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 I’ve Been Watching Youm
2 Don’t Move So Fast 3:52
3 Will You Be Mine 3:56
4 Kiss Serious 4:26
5 Rainy Nights 4:21
6 Love Addiction 4:35
7 Let’s Hook It Up 4:27
8 After Hours 5:00
9 One Track Heart 3:56
10 Shame, Shame 3:28

What to play next

Listen next

Long Time No See

1997

Go back to

Chico DeBarge

1986

Full Chico DeBarge discography Artists like Chico DeBarge

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata