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Best Neo Soul Music Blog

Ivana June Redefines Heartache By Exploring the Hypnotic Intersections of RnB, Bossa Nova & Indie in ‘Around’

Posted on 8 March 2025

Ivana June refined the entire London RnB scene in the space of three sensuously stylised minutes with her latest single, Around. With contemporary indie sensibilities, a deep reverence for soul, and a voice that leaves no celestial beguile to be desired, the hypnotic indulgence transcends sound as it euphonically reverberates through you, allowing accordance to creep into every corner of your psyche. If this was the 17th century, she’d be burned at the stake for the alchemy which breathes through the cathartic tempo.

As her most emotionally intimate release to date, Around captures the cognitive dissonance of heartbreak—the push and pull between the joy someone once brought and the pain they left behind. Through soft and supple harmonies, June commands sonic subjugation, lulling listeners into an ethereal, lush-with-wavy-saturated-reverb bittersweet reverie of a remedy.

Blending her love for groove, jazz, and storytelling, Around intertwines Bossa Nova rhythms with warm RnB and soul melodies, dreamy guitar lines, and raw yet gentle vocals. Co-produced alongside Pete Anderson, the track is infused with the influences of Cleo Sol, The Marías, and Amy Winehouse. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist with a gift for evocative lyricism, June has been lighting up London’s live scene with her band, set to perform Around at her headline show at 91 Living Room on March 14th.

If any newcomer has what it takes to steal the spotlight away from 2025’s biggest stars, our money is on Ivana June. This is just the beginning. Stream the single on Spotify from March 7^th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Matté Takes the Plunge into Alt-RnB with ‘Deep End’

Posted on 7 March 2025

While many figureheads in RnB are unafraid to chip away at the mould with their sonic signature, Matté came in like a wrecking ball of innovation with his latest single, ‘Deep End’. From the outset, the saturated distortion sets a tone that’s anything but conventional, before the bassline groove threads itself beneath his honeyed-to-the-nines vocal lines. The warmth in the production is unparalleled, giving the track an almost exotically luxe feel as the instrumentals move with unrestrained expression.

Fragments of funk, indie, and soul slot seamlessly into the mosaic of alt-RnB that seduces the senses, proving Matté has no interest in blending into the background. His refusal to play by the rulebook extends beyond the sonics—his lyricism pulls no punches when it comes to romance, either. In an era where detachment often dominates the genre, he stands apart as a rare diehard romantic, unafraid to go all in and wear his heart on his harmonies.

Now based in Los Angeles, the Atlanta-born artist is building a legacy by melding smooth melodies with raw emotion. ‘Deep End’ cements that reputation further, as he lets his storytelling and unique blueprint do all the talking. For those tired of the same recycled formulas, this is a reminder that RnB still has space for innovators.

‘Deep End’ is available to stream on all major platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Wherewithal by Yellow Couch Music ft. NYALLAH – An RnB Jazz-Funk Flame That Refuses to Burn Out

Posted on 3 March 2025

Helmed by drummer, musician, and producer Layton Weedeman, the ensemble Yellow Couch Project thrives on collaboration, pulling in artists from across the globe to breathe life into his intricate, groove-laden compositions. Jazz, funk, R&B, hip-hop, rock, and world music all find a place in the mix, but it’s the seamless cohesion that makes each track distinct.

With The Wherewithal, Yellow Couch Music, alongside NYALLAH, delivers a jazz-funk feast laced with soul and caressing catharsis. The instrumentals twist into arcane textures, yet the vocal lines remain grounded, inviting you into a session of soul-affirming relaxation. Beneath the smoothness, there’s fire—a scorned R&B love song at its core, carrying an emotional weight that cuts through the silky rhythms.

The interplay between the expressive percussion, fluid basslines, and sultry vocal delivery ensures no note is wasted. Each element serves its purpose, whether to soothe or stir. Yellow Couch Music sets the tone for modern jazz fusion, proving that tradition and innovation can walk hand in hand without stepping on each other’s toes. With tracks like this, they won’t be waiting long for a place on the jazz map.

The Wherewithal is now available on all major streaming platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stephan Folkes Demands Authenticity in His Genre-Blurred Instant Hit, ‘Say It Like You Mean It’

Posted on 28 February 2025

Stephan Folkes isn’t interested in fitting the mould—he’s too busy blasting past the constricting contours. With his debut single Say It Like You Mean It, the London-based singer, songwriter, and producer channels the soul of the greats while making sure his name rings out on its own terms. The track is a sharp-edged lesson in self-worth, delivered with the kind of vocal command that makes empty words feel like an offence.

Raised on the sounds of Prince, George Michael, and Stevie Wonder, Folkes has been chasing musical excellence since he first stunned school audiences at 11. By 13, he was writing his own songs, sharpening his craft under the guidance of former UB40 backing singer Claude Alexander. Now, as a seasoned performer and sound engineer, he refuses to be boxed in—melding R&B, soul, pop, funk, and even trance into his own brand of sonic storytelling.

Say It Like You Mean It is a bold opening statement for his upcoming LP. Seraphic 80s tones hum in the background, while his voice carves through the mix with an urgency that demands attention. The track reflects on pale imitations of love with a vocal bite reminiscent of Prince, refusing to let wasted time go unnoticed. As “The Visionist” and self-proclaimed “King of Fantasy,” Folkes embodies self-investments

Stream Say It Like You Mean It on Spotify now.

Stay tuned for Stephan Folkes new releases on Instagram and TikTok.

Discover more ways to listen and connect with Stephan via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Aric B. Sinks into the Shadows of Lost Love with ‘ALWAYS U’

Posted on 27 February 2025

There’s no rough to take with the smooth in this hazy dream of an old-school soul serenade. ‘ALWAYS U’, taken from Aric B.’s hotly anticipated LP, THINGS NEVER SAID, is a love song unafraid of its own vulnerability. Mellifluous layers of nostalgia meld around the teasing tempo of the beats, while reverb-soaked synths spill into every corner of the track, enveloping Aric B.’s voice in an atmosphere thick with longing and regret.

Unlike the polished bravado often found in R&B heartbreak anthems, Aric B. doesn’t play the victim here. He paints himself as a less-than-perfect protagonist, taking full accountability for the love that slipped away. That candid honesty makes every lyric cut deeper as he mourns the one that got away with no ego left to shield him. As the track swells towards its multi-layered harmonic crescendo, Aric B. broadens his vocal range with a skill that reflects the depth of his talent.

The Decatur-born singer, songwriter, and producer has been shaping his sound since childhood, influenced by gospel roots and an extensive career spanning jazz, pop, and soul. From singing at Fenway Park to collaborating with Grammy-winning producers behind icons like Beyoncé and Alicia Keys, Aric B. has spent years refining his voice—both literally and artistically. ALWAYS U is proof that he’s arrived at a sound that is unmistakably his own.

The single is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

BE became the airwaves’ answer to antifreeze with her modern jazz-soul single, ‘Mr Winter’

Posted on 6 February 2025

Some voices are made to console, to smooth the edges of existence with nothing more than a phrase, a note, a breath. BE has one of those voices. In Mr Winter, she employs her timelessly graceful vocal lines to command attention and allow intensity to ebb and flow through effortlessly euphonic harmonies

The single instantly settles you into its easy, sublime smooth grooves of easy-listening soul. If you’re looking for a single to console you through the winter and touch your soul with warmth, look no further than this modern jazz-tinged masterstroke, which ensures that there’s no time for complacency. The transitions in tempo and the evolving intricacies within the time signatures ensure you stay enduringly arrested by the expressive instrumentation, which shines alongside the vocal centrepiece of the record.

Every progression is a revelation within Mr Winter, one that will cradle you within the cinematic sepia-tinged vignette of winter blues. With artful flourishes by the smorgasbord and endless virtuosic touches in the instrumentation, the only question the track will leave you with is when will BE become the household name she deserves to be.

BE’s artistry is shaped by a passion for connection, authenticity, and empowerment—values she carries into her work beyond the studio. A seasoned collaborator and a creative force in her own right, she has worked alongside artists such as Emeli Sandé and Priya Ragu, led songwriting retreats that have been hailed as profound and transformative, and even taken her artistic journey to the wild, embarking on solo expeditions that blur the lines between personal challenge and creative expression.

With her recent rebrand, she steps further into experimentation, bridging her natural, earthy sound with an adventurous, expansive presence.

‘Mr Winter’ was officially released on January 17^th and is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergas

Molly Jane Transcended the Mould with the Ethereal Experimentation in Her Soul Single, Heavy

Posted on 1 February 2025

With her latest single, Heavy, singer-songwriter Molly Jane proves why she’s a phenomenon redefining what it means to be a soulstress in this generation. The ethereal, loungey textures in the orchestration offer a stark juxtaposition to the track’s title and thematic underpinnings, creating a sonic paradox that only Molly Jane could deliver. As her weightlessly ascending vocal lines float effortlessly atop the organic live instrumentation, which melds into a melting pot of jazz, soul, and RnB, you’ll feel your own soul lift with them.

Raised in working-class suburbia before moving to Naarm/Melbourne, Molly Jane channels her unique perspective into her songwriting. Drawing from feelings of displacement and a deep understanding of the human condition. This is superlatively exhibited in Heavy; the lyrics feel like they are speaking directly to you, breeding a sense of profound closeness as they address the constraints on love and the ways it often diverges from its free and easy ideal.

As the single progresses, it crescendos into dream rock territory, showcasing the experimentalism that Molly Jane pours into her productions. She doesn’t just push boundaries—she exists entirely outside of them, untethered by convention or expectation.

Having steadily cemented her place in Naarm’s music scene, Molly Jane’s unflinching authenticity and sonic innovation mark her as a true diamond in the rough.

Stream Heavy on all major platforms, including Bandcamp, from January 31^st.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tong Cherd delivered a jazz funk-infused shot of adrenaline with ‘CAFF’

Posted on 18 January 2025

Tong Cherd’s instrumental single, CAFF, is as energising as its namesake, delivering a riotous fusion of jazz, funk, and soul that’s impossible to ignore. From the moment the lines of slapped bass hit, it’s clear this isn’t just a groove-heavy funk track—it’s a masterclass in dynamic composition. The melodic bass riffs are elevated further by Augie Bello’s sax riffs, creating a rich interplay of textures that buzzes with kinetic energy.

Cherd, a Thai-born bassist now based in NYC, has carved out a reputation for his melodic sensibilities and aggressive slap bass technique. A graduate of Shobi Music College and The New School, Cherd has collaborated with a wide range of artists across genres, including Augie Bello and Cory Wong. With CAFF, he flexes his virtuosic muscles, layering bold bass solos and rhythmically intricate percussion over soulful rock undertones.

The track doesn’t just coast on its up-tempo energy. Every element—from the smoky outro to the punchy crescendos—exhilarates while showcasing Cherd’s skill. As the sonic journey winds down, the smoky soul infusion ensures that even when you’re through with the track, the earworm laid down by the rhythmatist isn’t through with you.

Add it to your playlists and you may not need your Starbucks order on your morning commute.

CAFF was officially released on January 17^th; stream the single on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pampoo sang the gospel of gratitude in ‘Simple Days’

Posted on 14 January 2025

Pampoo’s seminal release, ‘Simple Days’, filters contentment through honeyed R&B harmonies, allowing euphoria to rise on rhythmic waves and cascade into soul crooning that gently yields to gospel-esque lyrical sermons. It’s the kind of track that doesn’t just feel good; it creates a comforting refuge from hectic modernity. Their message is simple—if you’re content with your lot in life, you’re on the only rich list that really matters.

This collaboration began as a spark of friendship between longtime confidants Jim Vincent and Chris Blatherwick, who reignited their creative synergy by swapping musical snippets between Albany, NY and Connecticut. When they drew producer and old friend Ted Swan back into the fold, they brought new textures to their sound. Balancing alternative rock, folk, Americana, hip-hop, and R&B influences, they shape something that transcends standard genre boundaries.

Within ‘Simple Days’, mindfully motivational rap verses brush shoulders with youthful backing vocals that lift innocence into the spotlight. This evolving embodiment of soul helps you see the beauty in your day-to-day existence, reminding you that even the quiet moments hold their own warmth.

Pampoo knows precisely how to let soundscapes shimmer with authenticity. ‘Simple Days’ isn’t a disposable good-vibes anthem; it’s a euphonic act of enlightenment that encourages you to find wealth in life’s simplest corners. With an EP in the making, there’s plenty more sonic serotonin to come from Pampoo.

Simple Days will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, from January 14^th; find your preferred way to listen and connect with the artist via their official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gabriel Greenwood reached the zenith of the retro-soul revolution with ‘High School Reunion’

Posted on 11 January 2025

Gabriel Greenwood ignited a powerful spark of retro-soul in his latest single, High School Reunion. The bluesy serenade tugs at the roots of Americana as hard as it pulls on the heartstrings.

While the smooth, honeyed instrumental arrangement sets a warm backdrop, Greenwood’s magnetic timbre quickly claims the spotlight. His lyrical reflections intensify into a near-gospel outpouring when the organs supplant the slide guitars, bathing the production in an arcane glow and revealing Greenwood as a timeless conduit of soul.

As the track unfolds, a bright crescendo of brass supplies a climactic rush that proves unforgettable. It’s a testament to Greenwood’s knack for amalgamating elements of neo-soul, funk, indie pop, and classic singer-songwriter traditions, echoing the emotive pedigree of legends such as Stevie Wonder and Curtis Mayfield. Simultaneously, there’s a fresh introspective quality reminiscent of Jeff Buckley and James Blake.

Though he hails from New Jersey, Greenwood spends much of the year cruising the globe as a ship musician. That wanderlust seeps into his songwriting, spurring a distinct balance of nostalgic depth and inventive flair.

High School Reunion will be available to stream on all major platforms from January 11^th. Find your preferred way to listen and connect with Gabriel Greenwood via their official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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