Prince was a visionary artist who helped define a generation of music. All producers, mixers, musicians, and composers have something to learn from what he accomplished. Like most artists, debut work is very indicative of what is likely to come. Prince showcases his talents and potential in his funky first album, For You.

Released in 1978, Prince was only 18 when recording on this album first began and nineteen at its original dispersion. Sonically, the record plays as a continuous resurgence of striving synths played off by the disco-style guitars ever so popular at the time. It is so pleasing listening to the clean production only to be even more enhanced by Prince's vocals. This album may easily be the most welcoming record on Prince's discography. All songs on the album hang around the four minute mark on average, making for pleasant and easy listening. Tracks like "Baby" and "Soft and Wet" really show the range of Prince, writing both funk and R&B songs. Even going into a track like "I'm Yours," the audience is shown a heavily hard-rock influenced song rounded out by pedaled guitars with shredded solos and Prince's signature falsetto. What is probably the most impressive feat on this record is that Prince played every single instrument on this album. Everything from the Moog synth to the drums, Prince performed every single track on this work himself, making the record that much more personal and wholesome.

While the album can only be streamed from Tidal at the time due to Prince's own beliefs on streaming services, physical copies of For You are still in circulation. There is something just so genuine to Prince as an individual in this fact. He would want you to go out, find the music, and experience it. If you end up coming across this album, or any of Prince's early work for that matter, do not hesitate to pick it up. I urge you to remember the young eighteen year old who could conceive such beautiful music when you listen to this record. Prince's passing this week may seem forlorn, but it is in another listening to this record that I am reassured that he will never truly die.