monologue plays out like a novel, where the abernathy’s expand the perception of family over ab’s expansion of the stripped down soul/r&b music we’re used to hearing. whether he’s playing piano, wurlitzer, synths, guitar, programming drums, live drums, or arranging strings and horn lines, ab’s mastery of musicianship is on full display through monologue’s array of colorful, complex compositions, coupled with his rich, layered vocals.