Browsing Tag

Contemporary Rnb

Gbogboade Sculpted a Soulful Monument to the Frequency of Love’s Fragility with ‘Where Do We Go?’

Posted on 28 April 2025

With the organic percussive textures tapping against the iridescent synth lines, in all of its questioning, Where Do We Go? is an instrumental study in contrasts as Gbogboade exhibits how his passion and adoration remain unflinching in the face of uncertainty. With expressions of jazz and spoken word recordings which run just as smooth as his harmonies, the track is a complete exposition of what it means to love in the presence of doubt, not letting it slip through fear of loss, but instead, allowing your soul to remain steadfast in the presence of limitless possibilities.

Drawing on his Nigerian roots and his London experiences, Gbogboade pours his dual heritage into his sonic signature. Known for his seamless infusion of soul, jazz, hip-hop, and Afro-rooted rhythms, he creates sonic worlds that pulse with lived reality. Influenced by D’Angelo, Solange, Kendrick Lamar, and Burna Boy, his music refuses to shy away from vulnerability, strength, and the tension that pulls between the two.

Where Do We Go? serves as the centrepiece of his forthcoming EP, a three-track reflection tracing love, uncertainty, and transformation. By anchoring the composition with 85 BPM rhythms and layering in analog warmth, Gbogboade offers a rich, emotionally charged soundscape that honours both his Lagos upbringing and his diasporic evolution.

Where Do We Go? is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Soundcloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Richie Gathu & PrimRose’s ‘Toxic’ Dances on the Razor’s Edge of Destruction

Posted on 9 March 2025

Following a wavy prelude laced with saturated disquietude, Toxic by Richie Gathu featuring PrimRose ensues with an artfully moody, reverberant beat, trip-hop-esque syncopation, and neo-classical keys that add an ornate touch of grace. PrimRose’s seraphically affecting vocals become the centrefold of the alt-RnB vignette as they pull all the thematically aesthetic layers together in this exhibition of how deep toxic dynamics cut.

When Gathu’s vocals come into the mix, the dramatic stylistic shift veers into a far more soulful pantheon, sharpening the track’s emotional depth. The cinematic narrative that unfolds between the two collaborators proves that nothing is fair in love and war, and nothing is ever black and white in matters of the heart.

Toxic doesn’t romanticise toxicity; it lays it bare, making every reverberation feel like an echo of something unresolved. You’ll be thrown across the entire emotional spectrum while the RnB revelation is in session and come away with the affirmation that the only right that matters in games of the heart is doing what’s right for you.

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

Review by Amelia Vandergast

‘Fury’ – Alex Omen’s Neon-Bathed Lament Burns Bright and Bleeds Deep

Posted on 10 February 2025

Some artists write about heartbreak, but Alex Omen pulls you straight into the wreckage. The Columbus-based singer-songwriter has been making waves since 2018, filtering his emotionally raw lyricism through genre-bending lenses that blur the lines between modern hip-hop and RnB. Drawing from the atmospheric depths of The Weeknd, the sonic unpredictability of Travis Scott, and the soul-searching artistry of Frank Ocean, Omen pulls listeners into his world, one aching note at a time.

With his latest single, Fury, you don’t need to take the wheel for the sensation of late-night cruising through a haze of light trails. The neon-lit synth lines carve out a black-lit kaleidoscope of sound, while Omen’s melodically melancholic vocals ensure every syllable lands with intent. As heartbreak bleeds through the reverb-laden crescendos, the track shifts from introspective pensiveness to something far bigger—an all-encompassing sonic storm where pain and passion collide.

Few artists can make a song as sonically rich as Fury without losing its emotional gut-punch, but Omen delivers every second with an intensity that lingers. The way he alludes to heartbreak’s unpredictable emotional spectrum makes it impossible to let his name slip from memory.

Fury is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

‘Good Lord!’ – Malya Tempts the RnB Gods with Her Sultry Debut

Posted on 10 February 2025

Some artists tiptoe into the industry, but Malya kicked the door wide open with her debut single, Good Lord! The Sydney-born singer-songwriter has spent nearly a decade honing her craft on stage across the Western Suburbs, and at 23, she’s finally ready to take her own sound to the airwaves. Taking cues from the vocal fluidity of Ariana Grande and the soulful weight of SZA, she’s riding the contemporary RnB wave in a direction that pays homage to the golden era of 90s icons while staying radio-ready for the new generation.

Good Lord! is a full-bodied meditation on desire—sensuous in its production, intoxicating in its delivery. Every note carries intent, ensuring not an ounce of the soul in her performance slips by unnoticed. Self-produced and sonically rich, the track boasts the same earworm appeal as her influences without leaning into imitation. The hypnotic melodies wrap around lyrics that revel in the body’s ability to spark obsession, making for a track that doesn’t just flirt with seduction—it commands it.

If this is Malya’s first step, it won’t be long before she’s towering above us from the RnB pantheon.

Good Lord! was officially released on January 26th and is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rattling Beats and Soulful Heat: Denaron’s ‘On My Way’ is RnB Reloaded

Posted on 1 February 2025

With ‘On My Way,’ Denaron proves why he’s a voice worth paying attention to in the contemporary pantheon of RnB greats. Rooted in the soul of the genre’s pioneers, the track blends the raw passion of Luther Vandross and David Ruffin with a modern vibrancy reminiscent of Musiq Soulchild and Bruno Mars. Yet, Denaron’s artistry doesn’t settle for imitation – his voice carries an honesty and dynamism that harmonises leagues away from assimilation.

The instrumentals bring a kaleidoscope of colour to the mix, their smooth contortions wrapping around beats that hit with a confident pulse. It’s the kind of groove that feels simultaneously nostalgic and refreshingly current, bridging the roots of RnB with the shimmering motifs of contemporary production. Meanwhile, Denaron’s vocal agility weaves through the track, his kinetic range delivering hooks that strike with as much emotion as precision.

Denaron’s path to this moment started in the pews of his local church, where he began singing at just 12 years old. Drawing inspiration from legends like Ronald Isley, his early foundation in soul music fuels his goal of creating tracks that shine a light on life’s complexities, from love to faith. His open-hearted approach has earned him recognition far beyond his home turf of Texas, whether winning talent shows, featuring on tracks for hip-hop artists, or sharing stages with the likes of Ginuwine and Wale.

With ‘On My Way,’ Denaron doesn’t just blur the lines between eras of RnB – he redefines them, leaving listeners swaying to his rhythm and arrested by his unapologetic soul.

Stream the official video for On My Way on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Razing RnB to Its Core: Face It by BroBroCookDatUp ft. Evan L Lee & w a v e s

Posted on 30 January 2025

Face It, the standout single from BroBroCookDatUp Presents Starting 5ive, places BroBroCookDatUp firmly in the vanguard of contemporary RnB. Featuring Evan L Lee and w a v e s, the track pairs rhythmically intense trap beats with lush layers of textural reverb that envelop the listener. While the sonics are undeniably polished, the delivery is raw and unapologetic, holding no punches as it calls out those who treat love like a disposable game.

The production’s intensity is matched by the conviction in the vocal performances. BroBroCookDatUp, Evan L Lee, and w a v e s each bring their distinct energy to the table, creating a collaborative synergy that keeps the track’s momentum sharp and unrelenting. It’s not a track that simply sits in the background; it commands attention with every beat, every word, and every nuance of its honed arrangement.

Rod, the artist behind BroBroCookDatUp, pulls from his family’s musical legacy to shape his innovative sound. From looping melodies his uncle Carlos composed to harmonising with his daughter, Rod’s work is deeply personal while still aiming to push boundaries. His artistry doesn’t stop at music; through his SpaceTrap.shop clothing line and his community-focused initiatives, he continues to create meaningful connections with his audience.

Stream Face It on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Aaron Hines’ ‘Get Into It’: A Healing RnB Hymn for Scarred Hearts

Posted on 29 January 2025

With Get Into It, singer-songwriter Aaron Hines effortlessly solidifies his place in RnB’s hall of fame, delivering a track that’s as emotionally restorative as it is irresistibly melodic. Hailing from Charleston, South Carolina, Hines has already proven his dynamism as a singer, songwriter, and musician by arresting audiences on Season 21 of The Voice and lending his vocal talents to Grammy-nominated artist Blxst’s single Child of God in 2023. Now, with his latest single, he’s pushing the genre’s boundaries even further.

Get Into It strikes a perfect balance between commercial accessibility and heartfelt intimacy. The honeyed harmonies of Hines’ soulful vocals cascade into a euphonically hazy production where delay-soaked guitars gently pull the melody into focus. It’s a sound designed to stay with you long after the first listen—unapologetically smooth yet brimming with sincerity.

Lyrically, Hines offers an emotional sanctuary for anyone who’s endured toxic relationship dynamics, projecting a hopeful light at the end of even the darkest tunnels. Lines soaked in heartfelt honesty make this track as much about emotional catharsis as it is about musical pleasure.

Soul flows by the smorgasbord, and his sheer talent is undeniable. As he continues expanding his artistic reach with projects like his upcoming appearance on the TV show Collab, Hines is one to watch.

Stream Get Into It on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Feathers and Fault Lines: Libë’s Haunts with the Neo-Soul Resonance in ‘Birds of a Feather

Posted on 5 January 2025

Libë’s third hit single, Birds of a Feather, flips the script on archetypal RnB lyricality by tenderly exploring the painful facets of attachment, reaching the epitome of emotive duality.

The lyrics are enough to meditate on, and the smooth yet intricately decorated instrumentals ease you further into a reflective ambience. As the reprise of “guess I’m stuck with you” drifts in through Libë’s aphrodisiacally affecting and organically raw vocals, each second in the cinematic scope of the release resonates with the full force of the longing that shaped this smooth contemporary ballad.

Produced by Mercury Prize-nominated Drew Horley—who has collaborated with esteemed artists such as Estelle, Burna Boy, De La Soul, and Jay Sean—Birds of a Feather is the third in a Neo-soul series depicting a toxic couple bound by hopeless circumstances. In a tragic twist on the saying “birds of a feather flock together,” each lyrical protagonist is too toxic for anyone else, leaving them tied to the same fractured union.

Born in London to Nigerian heritage and raised in Sheffield from the age of nine, Libë has used her classical piano background to craft an R&B/Neo-soul blueprint infused with gospel, soul, and Afrobeats nuances. Since choosing music over a law degree in 2019, she’s consistently garnered impressive streaming figures. Keep an eye on social media for the remaining five singles completing the tumultuous relationship arc.

Birds of a Feather was officially released on December 13 and is available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jodré painted emotional horizons in his lush duality charting RnB single, Leave

Posted on 2 December 2024

Based in London and backed by Aether Records, the Portuguese-Angolan artist Jodré delivered a rare RnB ballad that efficaciously navigates the complexities of a bittersweet breakup aftermath with unwavering realism in his latest single, Leave.

By capturing the dualism between fondness and agony and using sublime melodies and haunting harmonies, the young prodigy created a lush fusion of sound and colour. As his soulfully iridescent voice transforms every lyric into a vivid emotional tableau, listeners are invited to visualise the depths of his introspection. The track balances playful melodies with punchy, thought-provoking lyrics, embodying odysseys of growth and self-discovery diehard romantics are destined to chart.

Influenced by the likes of Daniel Caesar, Brent Faiyaz, and Frank Ocean, Jodré fuses elements of faith, existence, and the divine with the rawness of human experience. This unique combination results in a mellow yet reflective sound that offers an ethereal perspective on love, mental health, and personal duality.

Leave was officially released on November 29; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Penny Taylor’s ‘Cuff’ Unchains the Soul of Modern RnB

Posted on 28 November 2024

‘Cuff’ by Penny Taylor smooths out the edges of contemporary RnB. With a trappy pulse, wavy oscillations of reverb wrapping around the melodies, and Taylor’s constantly in-flux vocal presence, it’s the definition of a melodious feat of sonic mesmerism. Hit play and sink into the single, which sees the singer-songwriter lay it all on the line while teasing salaciously hot imagery into the mix, ensuring it hits on every conceivable level.

Having honed his unique sound for over a decade—starting from humble beginnings with a USB mic hanging from his childhood room’s ceiling fan—Taylor has evolved into an unreckonable force in the music industry. Drawing inspiration from Bryson Tiller, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole, his distinctive hip hop, neo-soul, and RnB fusion makes him peerless, as does his ability to tune into universal emotion and make them hit with personal resonance.

Taylor may not have reinvented the RnB wheel with ‘Cuff’, but his authentic contribution ensures he has earned his place in the innovative vanguard as the genre shifts with the times, keeping the vibes raw, real, and relatable for this generation and beyond.

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

Review by Amelia Vandergast