Come hither, and yon: Maxwell’s songs drip with sonic seduction

Mojave Max emerged from his burrow on April 7, 2014, officially signaling the start of spring in Las Vegas. (Courtesy Shana Vanlancker of the Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Assn.)

No matter where his albums begin, they all end up in the same place eventually: the bedroom.

For R&B singer Maxwell, seduction is as effortless as the drawing in of a breath, his 1996 debut “Urban Hang Suite” having catalyzed the creation of a whole lot of the 18-year-olds now among us.

The carnal bliss has its bounds, though.

Maxwell’s last full-length, 2009’s “BLACKsummer’snight,” was a particularly tumultuous recounting of a love gone astray, leaving the singer feeling unmoored, directionless.

“I’m slipping, I’m here, I’m on my knees,” he sang on “Bad Habits.” “I feel my heart’s about to explode.”

Pop!

There goes his heart.

And your clothes.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476. Follow on Twitter @JasonBracelin.