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Best Neo Soul Music Blog

West Coast vibes meet Latin urban rhythm in Victor Josue’s latest single, Ad Maiora

Posted on 20 January 2022

The up and coming San Diego born and raised artist Victor Josue’s music spans Latin urban and west coast vibes. His latest single, Ad Maiora, is the perfect introduction to his smooth soul-driven sound that is garnering plenty of international hype for its hazy melodies and evocative punches.

Ad Maiora was the third single released by Josue; his upcoming debut album promises to be a dynamic smorgasbord of multi-genre ingenuity that breaks the monocultural mould. For any urban music fans that appreciate fresh vision and talent, Josue’s sun-soaked contemporary urban sound isn’t to be overlooked.

Ad Maiora is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

When Mountains Speak pays homage to Coltrane in their celestially Avant-Garde release Electric Trane

Posted on 13 January 2022
When Mountains Speak

‘Electric Trane’ is the latest spiritual-to-the-point-of-celestial ambient world music piece from the Coltrane-inspired artist, When Mountains Speak (Steven Wright Clarkson).

Between the entrancingly tribal drums, the Eastern-inspired strings, and the gorgeous layers of dark and light electronic effect, Electric Trane brings ambient music into a brand-new realm. Sure, it hits you with a heady dose of catharsis, yet, by permitting this track to arrest your rhythmic pulses and allowing the soundscape to get darker and more enticing as it progresses, Electric Trane became so much more than a sonic experience. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it to a Glenn Branca Fan, yet, the 8-minute release is undoubtedly one of the most spiritual I will hear this year.

Check out Electric Trane for yourselves by heading over to When Mountains Speak’s website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The queens of emboldening lyrical mantras, The LOOP, have released their latest alt-RnB single, ABOUT YOU

Posted on 10 January 2022

Boston’s most empowering alt-RnB duo, The LOOP, have released their latest single, ABOUT YOU. The track serves as the perfect introduction to the teen artist’s fiery approach to their sound that melds urban pop, hip hop and RnB with the catchy and conscious wit in their lyrics.

With invaluably introspective lyrical drops, such as “confidence is more than attitude” and “why try so hard to be something you’re not”, by the outro comes around, you’ll be left with emboldening mantras tattooed inside your mind.

It takes most people a lifetime to come to the same epiphanies that Marcia Bibbins and M’Zariah Starr share through their singles. At this point, we probably shouldn’t need to point out that they are ones to watch. Especially with their tendency to artfully stamp down their signature sound in each of their releases.

ABOUT YOU is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ziyaad Luceō takes us through a ‘Moment in Time’ in his latest cinematic aural triumph

Posted on 1 January 2022

Remember when we anticipated all of the incredible art that would transpire through creative minds being locked away and forced to reflect? The breakthrough artist, Ziyaad Luceō, delivered exactly what we aspiringly yearned for with his latest single, Moment in Time.

The Toronto-based singer-songwriter and producer has become an international sensation since the release of his 2020 album, Through These Eyes. His most popular single, Summer ’21, has racked up over 1 million streams on Spotify alone, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why.

In Moment in Time, he lures you in with a simple piano melody before the electronic effects start to resound around his hypnotically smooth vocal timbre. His strident passion fuels the cinematically arranged single that artfully unfolds around the sound of waves crashing, minor-key melodies and lyrics that capture emotional cruxes that break through the monotony.

Moment in Time is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Los Cozmatics traverse ennui in their orchestral indie debut single, Tears

Posted on 26 December 2021

After a melancholic minor key start, Los Cozmatics’ orchestrally scored debut single, Tears, builds into a captivating narrative around a protagonist going through the motions while controlled by ennui to the tune of alt-indie melodies spiked with resilience and dejection.

With poetically bitter-sweet lyrics, “he had no time for the rain falling on his tears”, Tears holds a captivating panoramic expression. With the elegantly soulful Winehouse-reminiscent vocals over the mash of angular indie guitars and orchestral strings, Tears is a triumph in authenticity. We hope to hear plenty more from Los Cozmatics in 2022. They’re exactly what our sad AF societies need.

Tears is now available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Clock Has Struck: Montreal’s Brianne Matthews knows that she deserves to be here on ‘Someday’

Posted on 21 December 2021

With her first release since the captivating 5 track EP ‘Metanoia‘ from earlier on in 2021, Brianne Matthews returns with a positive message that we all need to listen to on full volume with ‘Someday‘.

Brianne Matthews is a 22-year-old Montreal, Quebec-based indie solo singer-songwriter who blends in acoustic neo-soul and pop into her vocal love letters for us to open up and enjoy.

”Brianne has written songs since her school days and she has become ever more adept as a lyricist and, wearing her heart on her sleeve, she believes that determination and the drive she possesses will help her demonstrate that nothing is impossible.” ~ Brianne Matthews

As she ushers us into a better world filled with possibilities as a true superhero would, Brianne Matthews might be your new favourite singer-songwriter. She is a truly extraordinary vocal talent who also pens such sweetly-penned lyrics, that has you feeling like this is your year to shine.

‘Someday‘ from the Montreal, Quebec-based indie neo-soul/pop singer-songwriter Brianne Matthews, is such a peacefully created piece of art from such a calming influence. She reminds us that we need to trust the process that we have strategized and never forget to believe in the universe, as things will fall into place if we believe enough. Wise words indeed, from a young artist who is an old soul and sings with such incredible spirit.

Hear this comforting new single on Spotify and see more news on her IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Maple Sky – Free Her

Posted on 15 December 2021

Jazz, pop and RnB fusionists Maple Sky released their most seminal single to date with ‘Free Her’, which allows anyone in the process of walking away from a toxic relationship to see the light.

It was a bold theme for the ensemble to tackle. Considering that they did it with so much soul-laden compassion, they hit the evocative mark with the track that allows the intricate orchestration to explore the bright path that opens up when shackles of insidious affection are shaken off.

The smooth melodies, authentically airy vocals and wisdom so poignant it’s evident that it was hard fought for pull together to prove that the world isn’t as loveless as narcissists make you feel it is. By all accounts, it’s a stunning track. We can’t wait to hear where the UK-based ensemble take their fusion sound next.

Free Her is available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: NIA paints a portrait of inner turmoil in her downtempo alt-RnB single, Distant Colors

Posted on 14 December 2021

‘Distant Colors’ is the latest compassionately composed single from the New York-born, Philadelphia-based alt-RnB artist, and producer, NIA. Her signature spiritualism weaved its way into the downtempo release that explores inner turmoil for the emotionally attuned. For anyone who has ever cursed the depth of their emotional intellect, Distant Colors will act as an olive branch of empathy. As NIA’s light vocal timbre falls into the echoey and reverb-drenched shimmering guitars, the solid, steady drumbeats give the track enough structure while letting the ambience breathe through. The single was written, recorded and produced at NIA’s home studio; before being mixed and mastered by Tito Orjih at Oscar’s Greenhouse.

Here’s what NIA had to say about the release:

“My single, Distant Colors, expresses the raw emotion of being in tune with our inner struggles. Not only does this downtempo R&B tune tackle the feeling of isolation; it also represents the realness of the relationship that we have with ourselves.”

NIA started songwriting at an early age; on her journey to adulthood, she’s continued to hone in on her inexplicable talent that will instantly pique the interest of fans of Sade. Shortly after graduating from Shippensburg University, she established her record label, Chill Room Records and formed her band, The Chill Room Band. With new material in the pipeline, she’s definitely one to watch.

Distant Colors is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alex Tea takes us ‘Away’ with the gravitas in his latest kaleidoscopically blissful release

Posted on 13 December 2021

After spending two decades learning how to melodically speak to rhythmic pulses, the New Jersey-based composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Alex Tea, has done more than hone in on his sound. Based on his latest artfully soulful, colourfully scored single, Away, he’s reached a new production plateau. To say that it is on the same level as Lou Reed’s iconic single, Perfect Day, wouldn’t be a stretch. It is the perfect amalgamation of vibrancy, emotional candour and hazy catharsis.

The intrinsic timelessness becomes paradoxical through the fresh feel of Alex Tea’s composition and production style. It scarcely comes as a surprise that he’s had his part to play in a significant number of collaborations and has worked with some of the most revered producers, including Pat Van Dyke and Victor Rice.

Each new release is a brand-new tonal palette; Alex Tea has an ever-intriguing tendency to experiment with his affinities for roots reggae, electro-pop, soul, folk and funk. You’ll hear nuances of them all in this kaleidoscopically blissful single.

Away is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Indie-soul singer Evan Meulemans mainlines optimism into his latest single, Morning Fades.

Posted on 11 December 2021

US singer-songwriter Evan Meulemans’ fresh fusion sound is a cocktail of indie, reggae, Americana, blues, and his authentic brand of soul. If his sound has evaded you so far, his single, Morning Fades, is the most affable introduction to his meaningful approach to music.

With his effortless out-reaching bluesy indie vocals falling into a Grammy-worthy instrumental score that will instantly melt fans of Jack Johnson, Brett Dennen and Cas Hayley, Morning Fades leaves you questioning how Meulemans isn’t already a household name.

Like all his music, Morning Fades compels the listener to find the beauty in what can often feel like a loveless world. His advocation for harnessing love, creating balance and seeking contentment and connection is exactly what we need on the airwaves. Especially given the timeless resound of his optimistically-rendered sound.

Morning Fades is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vanedergast