Browsing Tag

80s RnB

The Emissary of Impassioned Nostalgia, Donnell Isaac Has Come Through with His Latest RnB Single, Through Love

Posted on 13 September 2023

If your 80s & 90s RnB playlists need a fresh kick of soul, the latest single, Through Love, from the emissary of impassioned nostalgia, Donnell Isaac, will deliver a potent shot of sweet sensuality.

The Portsmouth, Virginia-hailing singer-songwriter and composer allowed RnB fans to delve far deeper than Frank Ocean hits with the staunchly traditionalist track that reaches the epitome of cinematic soul.

Through Love, which explores the all-consuming gratitude love evokes, pays an ode to the celestial capacity of true love; in an era of superficial connection, the single is a testament to the rewards for romantic vulnerability. Between his Gospel-grown vocal lines and the arresting electric guitar solo towards the outro, Through Love efficaciously leaves the senses alight.

Through Love dropped on September 8th; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Move Over Eilish, Rallen is Reigning Supreme as the Ultimate Bad Guy in His New RnB Hit, Berserk

Posted on 10 August 2023

Winnipeg-born, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Rallen caressed the roots of RnB with the dreamily nostalgic melodicism in his latest single, Berserk.

Much like the rest of his discography, the short and salaciously sweet release gives an intimate view into his psyche around the soaring sax notes and 80s-esque synth lines. The contrast between his candour and honeyed harmonies gives the release an oceanic depth as he attests to choosing pleasure over peace and professes to be anything but the perfect romantic protagonist.

If any single proves that we’re all just tormented people trying to get by, using sexual currency to find our worth, it is Berserk. Rallen’s commitment to sonically visualising his experience of adversity and affliction has established him as one of the most authentic acts on the RnB scene. It is only a matter of time before he reigns as supreme as the Weeknd.

Berserk was officially released on July 14th; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bomb Voyage has debuted his compassionately choral RnB dream pop serenade, Serenity

Posted on 20 July 2023

With melodically intricate indie guitars and synths that wouldn’t be out of place in a Cigarettes After Sex single, Bomb Voyage created a hazily dreamy atmosphere for his classic RnB vocals to soak into in his latest single, Serenity.

Hedonistic and self-destructive behaviour may have been normalised to the point it has been glamorised in contemporary culture; instead of contributing to the acceptability of the toxicity of the trend, Bomb Voyage orchestrated a moody yet compassionate ballad to pay an ode to a female protagonist who has a proclivity towards excess.

Rather than painting a monster, Bomb Voyage used their lyrical empathy and beckoningly magnetic vocal lines to create a consoling release for anyone who needs the affirmation that even the most wayward souls deserve to be seen beyond their lifestyles.

Serenity is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jermare Harrison spills all in his synthy 80s RnB pop single, Secret to Tell

Posted on 9 November 2022

American singer-songwriter Jermare Harrison doused us in 80s soul with his divinely synthy seminal single, Secret to Tell, which flows in the same lush vein as icons Soul II Soul and Alexander O’Neal, with plenty of room for authenticity to spare.

The beckoning lyrics through his smooth RnB pop harmonies invite the listener into the intimacy of his candour while the mellow percussion and soft synth layers orchestrate a dreamy sense of catharsis. It’s a timeless classic single from the artist who made his debut in 2015 after immersing himself in the performing arts world at the age of five. We can’t wait to hear what’s next from the impassionedly talented artist.

Secret to Tell is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Throw away romantic inhibition with Ze-LuJ’s seminal single, Say You Love Him

Posted on 6 October 2021

Contemporary RnB artist, Ze-LuJ’s seminal single, Say You Love Him, is the perfect introduction to his sublimely smooth take on neo-soul. The ease of the minimalist 80s-inspired electronic instrumentals allows the single to groove at a meditative pace while the singer-songwriter croons the lyrics that tempt the listener to throw away romantic inhibition and go all in.

The production may be a little raw and simplistic, but that simply gives the intimacy of the single more space to breathe.

You can check out Say You Love Him, which was released in July 2021, for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

80s EBM meets RnB in Willy Matéo’s debut album, ‘I.D.’

Posted on 14 April 2021

Breaking RnB artist and producer Willy Matéo has made their debut with their entrancing album ‘I.D. (Internal Disturbance)’ which mixes a Billy Idol level of cool with intense techno beats and all of the soul of a classic RnB anthem.

The standout single, ‘iStandalone’ almost veers into the EBM arena, but with the smooth layering of the powerful vocals, the track stays true to the roots of RnB pop while allowing Willy Matéo to stamp down his signature style. It may be a fairly lo-fi production, but any fans of leftfield electronica won’t fail to fall in love with this 80s inspired track which wouldn’t be out of place on an OST to a David Lynch film.

Check out Willy Matéo’s album I.D. for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast