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Independent RnB

Ethan Martin created an open line of communication with passion in his latest dreamy RnB single, Okay, Love

Posted on 26 January 2024

Ethan Martin’s latest single, ‘Okay, Love’, is a soulfully realistic exploration of love’s complexities. This Las Vegas-based R&B artist, reminiscent of Daniel Caesar and Frank Ocean, delved into the intricate emotions of love, fear, and vulnerability in a way that deeply resonates.

The track is a masterful blend of soothing vocals and stirringly ethereal instrumentals, showcasing Martin’s skill in self-producing, mixing, and mastering his work. His unique style draws you into a world where love’s idyllic image is gently unravelled to reveal its more profound, often challenging reality.

‘Okay, Love’ navigates the nuanced terrains of the heart with a rare authenticity. The bassline pulsates through the song, setting a rhythm that complements the dual vocals. These elements together create a dynamic soundscape that reflects the song’s thematic exploration of love’s dual nature – its joys and fears, its light and shadows.

Martin’s lyrical ability is a highlight of the track as he speaks to those who feel the scars of previous relationships, are haunted by their anxious attachments, or simply feel the dread of loss when falling into the arms of another.

As Ethan Martin continues to attract a dedicated fanbase, ‘Okay, Love’ stands as a powerful example of his artistry. For those yet to discover his music, ‘Okay, Love’ is the perfect introduction to Ethan Martin’s world – a world where the soul’s deepest echoes are beautifully brought to life.

Okay, Love will drop on January 26. Stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

J. Jeaux wore his heart on his polyphonic sleeve in his alt-RnB single, Overflow

Posted on 10 December 2023

J. Jeaux’s sophomore single Overflow exhibits his unique approach to music, combining lo-fi RnB elements with touches of pop, blues, and funk, creating a sound that is both innovative and nostalgically resonant.

The track’s gravitational pull is undeniable, drawing listeners into a world of eclecticism. The polyphonic synth lines are a highlight, weaving a complex yet harmonious tapestry of sound that feels timelessly modern. This, coupled with minimalist percussion, sets a backdrop that allows J. Jeaux’s vocal talents to shine. The vocal effects are far from typical, adding an intriguing layer to the track and solidifying his distinct style.

J. Jeaux’s ability to channel his emotions into his music is evident. The song discusses the turmoil of overthinking during heartbreak against an energetic backdrop. This juxtaposition is not just a creative choice; it’s a representation of healing, layering sadness with boogie vibes to create a therapeutic musical experience.

As a multi-instrumentalist and composer, J. Jeaux’s expertise extends beyond traditional singer-songwriter boundaries. His experience in composing for video games and media adds a unique dimension to his music that you will want to get lost in time after time.

This track is a clear indication of his potential to leave a lasting impact on the music industry, especially for those who appreciate the blending of traditional soulful rhythms with innovative experimental sounds.

Overflow poured onto the airwaves on November 24. Stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Let your body and soul talk with ANYAH’s latest RnB single, Last Night

Posted on 19 November 2023

ANYAH’s latest single, Last Night, is a testament to her ability when it comes to redefining the RnB genre with her sultry, multi-layered style that effortlessly intertwines the smooth, nostalgic vibes of old-school RnB with a vibrant Latino pop flair. Her Fil-Am heritage brings an intoxicating diversity to the track which echoes the soulful depths of Aaliyah, the raw emotion of Ashanti, and the rhythmic prowess of Janet Jackson, and transcends mere mimicry.

Educated in the performing arts, the singer-songwriter’s academic prowess shines through in her meticulous craft. Her multilingual vocal ability, spanning German, Italian, French, and Russian, adds a cosmopolitan monocultural mould-smashing sheen to her music, which goes a fair way in enhancing the emotional resonance and appeal of her work. Her background in dance manifests in the rhythmic pulse of Last Night, which guides the listener’s body and heart through a smooth narrative.

The single’s outro is a clever subversion, revealing the entire emotional journey the single took you on to be a voicemail, a twist that lingers in the mind long after the song ends. It is safe to say ANYAH is painting herself as one of the most promising artists in Orlando’s music scene, not just through her music but through her impressive and well-rounded artistry that promises even more depth and surprises in the future.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ericalisa created a vignette of pure passion for her latest single, For the Moment

Posted on 30 August 2023

The San Francisco Bay Area got even hotter when the DZN Records-signed RnB trailblazer, Ericalisa, dropped her sensuously stylised single, For the Moment.

Since 2015, Ericalisa has been creating a new trajectory in the evolution of soul; instead of reinventing the wheel, she found new ways to elevate the genre by caressing her downtempo melodies with her honeyed harmonies and adding moody elements to her mixes to accentuate her distinctive sonic signature.

Before stepping into a studio, the independent artist used poetry as a creative outlet, which more than shows in her lyricism; the verses flow just as smoothly as the lush reverb-soaked instrumentals around the imagery she conjures to captivate you in her vignettes of pure passion.

Stream the official music video for Ericalisa’s latest single, which premiered on August 18th via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

8rii put the soul in indecision in her latest single, Stay

Posted on 5 March 2023
8rii

Independent singer-songwriter, 8rii, earned herself a spot on the East London RnB map with her latest emotionally elevated latest single, Stay. Putting the soul in indecision, the Ashanti & Aaliyah-inspired artist created a compelling exposition of how jarringly contradictory our minds become when the right romantic path is impossible to discern from the wrong one.

Any artist able to paint the complexities of the human psyche is more than worth having on your playlists, and that’s without mentioning the melodic mesmerism of the lo-fi RnB instrumentals that deliciously flirt with the Afroswing style.

Stay will officially release on March 10th. Until then, check out the artist on Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

NALLA is liberatingly demure in her orchestrally originated alt RnB Single, Sidechick

Posted on 10 January 2023

There are few things in this life as bitter-sweet as concluding that you’re a sidepiece for someone you have fallen wholeheartedly for, which NALLA demurely explores in her latest single, Sidechick.

The smoky R&B single pays homage to the roots of the genre while replanting them through a fresh futuristic vision that resounds through the distorted vocals in the intro and the glitchy rhythm of the beats that allow the sensually convictive single to veer into the trip-hop arena.

If any single is going to compel you to stand by your convictions and muster enough self-esteem to walk away from an unworthy lothario who probably needs to spend thousands in therapy before he works through his inability to commit, it’s this orchestrally scored masterpiece.

Sidechick is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jimmy G. $hi takes it slow in his RnB single, Drown Tonight

Posted on 30 July 2022

Give your RnB playlists a fresh soul fix by introducing it to the lead single, Drown Tonight, from Jimmy G. $hi’s 2022 album, P.T.H.B.

After warm saturated tones have eased you into the smooth contemporary track that unfurls around hip hop percussion and spacey electronica synthetics, Jimmy G. $hi goes in heavy with the sultry romanticism. The affectionately demure energy resonates through the lyrics as much as the steady vocals that affirm the message of the single; pace is the trick.

With the stellar production, the mellifluous soul that spills from the vocals and the evocative heights that Drown Tonight takes you to, the up-and-coming artist can definitively be seen as a triple threat.

The official music video for Drown Tonight was released on July 22nd. Check it out for yourselves via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Elocin Cole brought contemporary style to classic soul with her artfully aware single, There You Are

Posted on 24 April 2022
https://soundcloud.com/locinole/there-you-are/s-FiOeguaCz2P?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Elocin Cole brought swathes of contemporary style to her classic soul meets RnB single, There You Are, which explores the adage “wherever you go, there you are”. Elocin Cole artfully intellectualised the idiom by running it through a prism of self-awareness and translating it as a signifier that the past will always catch up to you unless you turn and face it.

The single has the capacity to move you emotionally through the honeyed vocals and make you want to move through the drum beats colliding with the sticky-sweet synth lines. We can’t wait to hear what the eloquent soulstress has in the pipeline.

There You Are dropped on April 21st. You can check it out for yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jspino has released the ultimate you-will-see-me single with his latest RnB-Latin-Pop earworm, Noticing

Posted on 22 April 2022

Indie RnB artist, Jspino, laid it out all on the line in his latest Latin pop-spliced hit, Noticing. The track sinks its teeth into the frustration that manifests when there is that soul-obliterating feeling of knowing that the person you want to see you the most have their blinkers on to your autonomy.

As the perfect contrast to the fiery RnB pop vocals, there’s a deep sense of melodicism that cushions the blow of the hard-hitting beats which match the progressively intense vocal momentum. It is hardly a stretch to say that Noticing is easily one of the rawest RnB tracks we’ve heard this year. We hope Jspino follows his own trend.

Noticing officially dropped on April 15th; you can check it out via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Balaciaga spliced demure conviction with emboldening soul in her third single, Like It

Posted on 6 April 2022

After winning over swathes of RnB fans with her versatile style in her sophomore single, Nothing to Me, the Floridian RnB singer-songwriter, Balaciaga, has released her soulfully convictive single, Like It. The demure single takes a different tone from the preceding releases, proving that Balaciaga’s talent in matching tone, temperament and key leaves little room for improvement.

Like It combines scathing tendencies and emboldening vibes with an old-school sense of romanticism, proving that affection and empowerment can fit hand in glove. The up and coming artist takes influence from a vast array of artists for her well-rounded and instantly distinctive style, including but not limited to Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Beyonce.

Like It is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast