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Best Neo Soul Music Blog

Christopher George goes ‘All the Way for the Win’ in his debut single.

Posted on 24 September 2021
Christopher George

Pop artist Christopher George is set to release his optimistic floor-filler, All the Way for the Win, which carries the untainted soul of Bananarama along with elements of funk and disco to ensure that the euphoria really flows through this stridently enlivening release.

Before you even get to the chorus, you can tell that Christopher George has a soul of gold. His technical ability is one thing, his ability to appeal to human emotion in such a visceral and compelling way is quite another. His his Jazz degree and years of experience as a professional session musician allowed him to be primed and radio-ready for his solo debut. We can’t wait to hear what follows.

Check out Christopher George on his official website, Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Find the silver lining in A-Mar’s bluesy indie single, Raining in New Orleans.

Posted on 20 September 2021

Even though using the weather as a parable for complex emotions isn’t exactly novel, independent bedroom pop artist A-Mar’s single, Raining in New Orleans, proves there’s still plenty of poignant poetry to be pulled from our stormy, unpredictable weather systems.

Vocally, there is plenty of reminiscence to the likes of Jack Johnson, but it is in the instrumentals where A-Mar truly comes into his own. His soulful infusion of indie, blues and jazz in the cathartically laidback single sets him leagues apart from his contemporaries and icons alike. If this is what he can achieve alone in his bedroom, we’re all too eager to hear where the future takes him and his tender, instantly magnetic expression.

Raining in New Orleans is now available to stream along with the artist’s debut album, Around El Mundo, via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

King Brian calls for an end to injustice with his latest cinematic RnB single, Reparations

Posted on 18 September 2021

King Brian, AKA Brian Christopher Brown, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, filmmaker and producer; he poured all of his cinematic poise into his latest single, Reparations. Starting with the hard-hitting lyrics ‘we’ve been cursed for so long, but we are still strong’, emotional investment in the single is non-optional.

His latest single does plenty more than just run you through 400 years of sufferance and oppression; it acts as a celebration of every triumph over adversity. King Brian takes plenty of influence from artists such as Michael Jackson, Tupac and Prince; there may not be much sonic resemblance in the soundscape. Yet, Reparations undoubtedly carries the same sense of soul that will test your own soul’s capacity to feel.

The Radio Edit of Reparations is now available to stream and purchase via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Transcend with the jazzy grooves in Mid Ground’s latest single, Peace in the Sky

Posted on 17 September 2021
Mid Ground

‘Peace in the Sky’, featuring vocalist, Ellen Mara, is easily the most hypnotic RnB trip pop single so far from the jazzy instrumental duo Mid Ground. The easy movements of the notes remind you of how sweet freedom can feel as the lyrics do the same.

The single switches the RnB narratives that consistently chase and mourn lust; it delivers a reminder that the only person worth finding is yourself. By playing with rich, ethereal and electrifying textures, the lush reverb-swathed grooves in Peace in the Sky leave you absorbed from start to finish. My soul feels infinitely lighter for hearing this tranquil yet fierce affirmation that independence is infinitely more rewarding than co-dependence.

Peace in the Sky was officially released on September 17th; you can check it out for yourselves via Bandcamp & SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Urban fusionist Malix has released her ethereal dream-pop sophomore single, It’s You.

Posted on 15 September 2021

Ethereal pop, new wave rap and soulful RnB collide in the sophomore single, It’s You., from the enigmatically sensational artist, Malix. Sonically, she conjures dreamy and wavy ambient textures in the soundscape that feeds in plenty of tape echo effects. Vocally, she is unpredictable from one verse to the next. From phantasmal harmonies to fierce rap increments, you can expect to hear the full extent of her smooth vocal dynamic in her reprising single.

Based on It’s You, Malix deserves to be just as acclaimed as her trip-hop/dream pop predecessors, and yes, that includes Portishead.

It’s You. is now available to stream on Spotify

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Free Of Fear: Onyeka calms our anxious souls with the stupendously bright ‘Mornings’

Posted on 13 September 2021

Produced by the fabulous Woman’s Touch, Onyeka wants to stay young and free from the undesirable traps that can hold onto your heart forever with her superb debut called ‘Mornings‘.

Onyeka is a twenty three-years-young Coventry, UK-based indie alt-soul artist and aspiring screenwriter. She has a mature outlook for someone so young and sings with an impressive class throughout.

”Some of my biggest inspirations include Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, India Arie, Beach House and Weyes Blood.” ~ Onyeka

With a soothingly elegant voice which sensually compels you to turn up the volume and let her lather your soul with that rare goodness – you feel like you are witnessing something quite special – as Onyeka sings with such stunning beauty and enticing calmness.

‘Mornings‘ from the Coventry, UK-based indie alt-soul solo artist Onyeka, is a stop-counting-the-days gem which has you feeling rather nostalgic and keen to explore the world again. Wasting those long days stressing is definitely not the way to go and this is that heartfelt reminder to fly free when you can.

Sung with a true grace and authentic care, this is a loving track with so much to remember and is one of the more remarkable singles from 2021.

Hear this fresh new single on Spotify and see more on her IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Stef Amadeus – Can’t Stop: Bitter-Sweet Dark Soul-Pop

Posted on 10 September 2021

Moody soul-pop may sound like a paradox, but that is exactly what up and coming artist Stef Amadeus served in her latest single, Can’t Stop, which blends contemporary dark electro-pop stylings with her imploringly powerful vocal timbre.

When she effortlessly stretches to the high notes, her harmonies carry the arresting appeal of Kate Bush; through the verses, she’ll treat you to a far more vocally vulnerable performance that breathes life into the all too relatable vocals. Can’t Stop is sure to resonate with anyone who finds themselves harbouring an avoidant personality through lines such as ‘you will never break my heart if I never even let you through, I can’t stop avoiding you’.

Amadeus’ talent is only matched by her emotional intellect that raised the airwaves’ collective IQ with the release of Can’t Stop.

The official music for Can’t Stop is now available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Blowing My Own Trumpet takes us around the world with ‘She’s a Black Snake in My Grass’.

Posted on 10 September 2021

Blowing My Own Trumpet is the latest project by South African Trumpeter Claude Lamon. His culturally cultivated sound is best enjoyed through his latest single, She’s a Black Snake in My Grass, featuring his daughter Josephine Lamon, which comprises elements of folk, rock, and African rhythms.

The vibrantly rich soundscape uses jazzy piano motifs around brass and the male and female layered vocals that pull together to celebrate their love for the land and the heritage that made their ground-breaking roots-based sound possible.

She’s a Black Snake in My Grass is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kassandra Dasent shows us how to love in a hateful world with ‘Be Still’

Posted on 7 September 2021

Singer-songwriter Kassandra Dasent’s latest single, Be Still, gives you the sense that she lights up any room that she walks in. All of her music is a reflection of her evolutionary journey through life, and Be Still is the perfect introduction to the value of her introspection and the passion in her bluesy gospel vocal delivery.

It is all too easy to say ‘good vibes only’ through music; what is far more difficult – and what Dasent excels in – is guiding those who use the atrocities in the world as a reason for apathy back into motion.

The San Juan, Trinidad-born artist grew up in Montreal with Calypso, Soca & Chutneyin her blood; her rich heritage transfuses into her sound that carries a sonic resemblance to 90s soul-pop while unravelling as a melting pot of culture that you’ll want to delve into the and time again.

The official music video for Be Still is now available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Polyphonic Exophilia – ups et pertulerat: a progressive soul-funk serenade.

Posted on 6 September 2021
Vol. 2 by Polyphonic Exophilia

Norway-hailing music collective, Polyphonic Exophilia, describe their sound as sensual progressive alternative soul-funk, and it’s fair to say, if any bassline is going to leave you weak at the knees it is the one in the standout single, ups et pertulerat, from their EP, Vol.2.

Ups et pertulerat is the Latin phrase for ups and downs, and that’s exactly what the soundscape explores; if you constantly find yourself between mania and melancholy, you may just find that your tumultuous mind reflected at you through this exploratively engaging release.

The jazzy, tonally warm instrumental single is all about the bass-carved grooves and the colourful alchemy that breaths between them. It leaves you in anticipation of what the next progression will offer as the shimmering polyphonic keys bring the soul in the absence of vocals.

Check out Polyphonic Exophilia on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast