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Soul

Manchester beatmaker Mankub broke the mould with his unbroken wave of immersion, ‘Fly in the Ointment’

Posted on 24 December 2024

Manchester-based beatsmith Mankub broke the mould with his bold decision to release ‘Fly in the Ointment’ as a single 30-minute track rather than chopping his mix into separate cuts. It’s an ingenious move to keep the album format alive, providing an unbroken wave of immersion for hip-hop fans craving a continuous flow of classic boom-bap, breakbeat, and lo-fi edges. Every sample and beat is meticulously placed to weave a narrative through echoes of hip-hop’s golden era, letting the vibes steer the momentum of this instrumental LP, which was put out by Gold on The Mixer Records, and is now available on cassette and digital download.

Compiled from fresh material and unreleased beats, it merges skits, loops, and fragments of gritty vocal samples to form a loose concept that resonates with cinematic force. Strings, piano, guitar, and jazz motifs drift alongside hard-hitting drums, illustrating Mankub’s skill for building sound constructions that land somewhere between laid-back downtempo and era-defining breakbeats.

Every progression is a revelation—be it a deep, resonant bassline or a mellow section of lo-fi bliss—the release is all hits and no misses.

Fly in the Ointment was officially released on November 18; stream and purchase the single on Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cohen’s Protégé, Perla Batalla, is One of the Last True Chanteuses in ‘Awakened’

Posted on 23 December 2024

Between Grammy nods and praise from Leonard Cohen himself, there’s little doubt why Perla Batalla commands such esteem in the industry. Her most recent seminal single, Awakened, from the LP A Letter to Leonard Cohen, which was released on what would have been Cohen’s 90th birthday, proves she needs no coattails to ride upon. Cloaked in a sublime sense of grace, every note carries a cinematic magnetism that draws you into her soul-baring homage to the revered Canadian poet.

Batalla earned her prestigious industry stripes by touring and recording with Cohen for over a decade. Inspired by her upbringing in an immigrant household—an Afro-Mexican mariachi father and an Argentine mother who ran a record store—she developed a genre-blurring palette. In Awakened, her commanding voice glides alongside stirring melodies, reflecting the resilience that fuelled her return to the studio after a catastrophic hard-drive disappearance in Barcelona.

This release follows her first tribute, Bird on the Wire, which Cohen personally supported by attending sessions and contributing ideas. Dedicated to the late producer Hal Willner—known for orchestrating unorthodox musical collaborations—A Letter to Leonard Cohen also features Batalla’s two original compositions and includes special appearances such as Broadway luminary Patrick Page on Democracy, produced by the multi-Grammy Award-winning Mike Elizondo.

From sharing stages with Nick Cave and Rufus Wainwright to hosting sold-out shows worldwide, Batalla remains an essential interpreter of Cohen’s legacy, and Awakened resonates as pure melodic poetry from one of the last true chanteuses.

A Letter to Leonard Cohen is available to stream and purchase on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Discover more about Perla Batalla via the artist’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Saasil on earth – 5:30: A Cosmic Neo-Soul Embodiment of Empowerment

Posted on 13 December 2024

Saasil on earth, the North West London neo-soul artist renowned for their otherworldly introspection-infused grooves, delivered a sonic salve for fractured hearts with her latest single, 5:30.

From the opening slick-with-remorse apologetic voicemail, she draws listeners into a narrative charged with unresolved tension. The track’s dual perspective, intimately painted by Saasil’s silky vocals and the tempting honeyed tones of a lothario, takes you straight into the discordance of a relationship that’s well past its breaking point. The seductive contemporary grooves, laced with organic textures and an empowering arcane quality, build a backdrop that is as evocative as it is rhythmically refined.

As the narrative unfolds, you’re caught in a vice-like grip of curiosity, aching for some sense of resolution. All too often, artists fail to paint in strokes as messy as reality, yet Saasil on earth captured the often chaotic nature of love in one of the most original RnB tracks of 2024.

With a flair for weaving cerebral emotional depth into ethereally luxe neo-soul aesthetics, the conduit of soul orchestrated a track that’s equal parts relatable and transcendent with her sensuously silky harmonies which resound as though they belong outside of our material world.

Stream 5:30 on Spotify now, and connect with Saasil on earth via Instagram and TikTok.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sharpen your sense of self-worth in the groove pockets of TAZ’s latest RnB Funk release, tunnel vision

Posted on 10 December 2024

With her latest single, Tunnel Vision, TAZ claims her place as the goddess of groove, delivering a funk-wrapped celebration of self-love and empowerment. Hailing from Surrey, the rising star built on the acclaim of her debut, Summertime x, with an up-tempo Neo-Soul release that bursts with vibrant energy and candid lyrical storytelling.

The lush harmonies in Tunnel Vision pop with radiant colour, intertwining seamlessly with staccato guitar chops that electrify the track’s rhythmic pulse. As the song unfolds, the emotive intensity crescendos, with TAZ’s soulful vocals becoming a clarion call for romantic empowerment.

For anyone who suffered fools in the name of love, Tunnel Vision has what it takes to convince the new generation of RnB fans to take every fragment of their self-worth into the battleground, otherwise known as the modern dating scene. The live feel of the production amplifies the authenticity of her message, with each lyric cutting straight to the listener.

Inspired by legends such as Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, and Alicia Keys, TAZ fuses Neo-Soul, Jazz, and Pop influences to scribe an arrestingly unique sonic signature into her critically acclaimed hits.

Stream tunnel vision on major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Thalia Jailene spun emotion into rhythmic gold with her standout single, Sueñitos

Posted on 9 December 2024

Thalia Jailene’s latest single, Sueñitos, weaves hypnotic rhythms straight into the soul. From the opening notes, choppy staccato reggae guitars tease the senses, making way for warm flamenco licks that unravel through the vibrant sonic fabric. Thalia’s smooth, serotonin-laced vocals glide effortlessly over the textured layers, delivering an exotic and arcane soundscape that feels as seraphic as it is unique.

The Latina singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and music educator, now based in North Carolina, demonstrates her ability to blend her eclectic influences—from Paramore and No Doubt to Amy Winehouse and Bob Marley—into a sound that transcends genres. Her self-described “music alchemy” transforms raw emotions into an intoxicating mix of pop, rock, and reggae, with Sueñitos embodying her commitment to organic euphoria while the rest of her discography attests to how she never shies away from darker themes.

Hi play and prepare for full immersion as your senses are flooded with colour.

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

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Adline Owens is leading a revolution in autonomous self-determination in her Afro-Fusion release, T•R•T (The Right Time)

Posted on 6 December 2024

With a gravitational force that could knock the solar system out of orbit, it would be insulting to mark Adline Owen as merely just an icon; she’s a fusionist phenomenon in her own right, leading a revolution in autonomous self-determination with her latest release, T•R•T (The Right Time).

The two-track release synthesises her diverse cultural and musical influences into a compelling narrative of empowerment and self-discovery, marked by Afrobeat, Dancehall, Reggaeton, RnB and Afro-Soul motifs.

The opening track, ‘In Yeah’ evocatively explores relationship dynamics, considering how ‘good enough’ should never be enough if you know your worth and urging listeners to recognise their own value through its Afro-Soul vocals and the energetic pulse of dancehall. When it comes to pairing introspection with infectious beats, Owens reigns supreme.

The second single, ‘Dem Wah Know,’ turns up the heat with its Reggaeton rhythms and bold, assertive vocals that command attention. Owens’ fierce delivery and the track’s vibrant energy make it an anthem of self-assurance and resilience, encapsulating her refusal to be confined by her roots or her haters’ expectations.

With T•R•T, Adline Owens not only cements her status as a dynamic fusion artist but also as a visionary capable of weaving her diverse musical heritage into a fresh, invigorating sound that resonates well beyond its Afro-Soul roots.

Adline Owens Said

“T•R•T is a project that holds great personal significance for me, showcasing my range across Afrobeats, Dancehall, and R&B, which underlines my identity as a fusion artist.

Track 1, ‘In Yeah’, explores the love and understanding shared in a relationship that still leaves you wanting more effort. This track vocalises the need for personal growth and the tough decisions you must sometimes make for your sanity. It portrays the protagonist’s struggle with a partner who lacks ambition and motivation—essentially a dead weight needing to be let go.

Track 2, Dem Wah Know, I wrote while reflecting on obstacles and my journey as an artist. It focuses on resilience, self-belief, and the importance of stepping up despite the odds being stacked against you. It’s an empowering anthem and a reminder not to let haters dictate your success.”

Follow Adline Owens on Instagram and discover her discography on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

JANAYAH – Sober: From the Bottom of the Bottle to Pop Supremacy

Posted on 5 December 2024

Artistry and addiction have been hand in toxic hand since the dawn of the music industry, yet few artists have been so candid about their relationship with the bottom of the bottle as JANAYAH in her latest single, Sober.

By revealing the myriad of reasons behind her desire to numb herself in the days of her misspent youth in the pop hit through her signature high-octane soul harmonies, JANAYAH exposed how the substance is rarely the problem for those struggling with addiction while acting as a conduit of consolation for anyone struggling to come to terms with their own tendency to hit the self-destruct button.

The balance of 80s pop aesthetics and pinches of contemporary pop ensures Sober stands as a timeless power pop ballad amongst the throwaway pop tracks which litter the airwaves.

As one of the most affecting icons of pop, the London-based artist is well on her way to scaling the charts with her ability to project pitch-perfect emotion through her vocal melodies while wearing her heart on her harmonies.

Sober was officially released on November 15^th; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify, now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jack Orlove’s Gospel of Peace’ Why We Fight?’ Ft the Santa Cruz Chapel Choir, Breaks the Silence Permitting Conflict

Posted on 1 December 2024

With a voice capable of commanding your heart, body, and soul into standing to attention, Jack Orlove’s hymnal triumph, Why We Fight?, delivers a sermon for peace that seduces the doors of perception wide open.

Featuring the Santa Cruz Chapel Choir, this introspectively transcendent anthem strips away any sense of reservation, replacing it with the sheer mesmerism of Orlove’s gruff-in-all-the-right-places, euphonic-in-the-rest vocal register. If anyone can challenge Hozier’s reign, it’s Orlove, whose tour de force transforms a plea for unity into gospel that transcends mere lyricism.

Born out of the uncertainty and brutality of modern times, Why We Fight? is a call to arms for pacifism, set against the stark reminder that for all our innovations, we are still plagued by the primal carnage of war.

The accompanying music video echoes these themes, offering a sobering reflection on how leadership and decisions can lead us astray from what truly matters. Orlove challenges us to choose love, peace, and understanding over division and struggle. With Why We Fight?, he stands poised at the vanguard of a revolution for unity.

Stream the official music video for Why We Fight, which has already racked up over 121k streams since its debut on November 7^th, on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Caleya Black – Stay with Me: A Homecoming for the Soul

Posted on 30 November 2024

Love may be a hard emotion to put into words, but when Caleya Black weaved it into her organically seraphic single, Stay with Me, those four little words transformed into a universal language. The old-school soul instrumentals, complete with staccato guitars carving the contours of delicious groove pockets, cradle the singer-songwriter’s arcanely transcendent vocal register. Through her harmonies, the classic tones she touches transform into a timeless tonality, proving that soul music doesn’t need reinvention to feel relevant.

Black’s artistry harks back to an era when soul ruled the airwaves, as Urban Magazine noted about her breakout single Our Song. The Motown-inspired artist from New Jersey, steeped in gospel roots, knows how to craft music that defies trends. Her debut EP, Still Loves, and standout tracks like Go There and Love Come Down, have cemented her reputation as an artist who respects the legacy of soul while asserting her place within it.

In Stay with Me, the restraint in the instrumentation highlights Black’s command over her vocal expression. Every note feels deliberate, every harmony meticulously placed to pull listeners into the raw honesty of the lyrics. This is the kind of track that doesn’t demand attention but earns it with its authenticity, proving Caleya Black doesn’t just make soul music—she embodies it.

Stay with Me is now available to stream on all major platforms, including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ellen Mara Band sparked jazz-fusion liberation with ‘Burnout’

Posted on 29 November 2024

‘Burnout’ by the Ellen Mara Band transcends unravelling as a sign of the times; it liberates the listener from the exhausted frustration of feeling as though there aren’t enough hours in the day to tend to the excessive demands of modernity.

While there was once a time when burnout was considered an individual problem, consciousness of the systemic social issue is starting to become a major part of the discourse. Exemplified by this all-serotonin, no-brakes jazz fusion tour de force. The track wraps you up within the technically proficient sonic emancipation as the band’s ability to balance consolation with euphoria and affirming lyricism is proven to be superlatively second to none—if their sound is this sweet recorded, you better prepare for the sugar rush if you see them live.

Recently rebranding from a solo project to a full band in preparation for their 2025 album release, Ellen Mara still takes her place as the frontwoman, sharing heartfelt life learnings through carefully crafted melodies, intricate arrangements, and playful grooves. In collaboration with her partner and co-writer Will Sutcliffe and their talented band members, the Ellen Mara Band offers an authentic fusion of Soul, R&B, Rock, and Jazz. They’ve earned a reputation in the Sydney live music scene and have recently captured the attention of renowned U.S. soul singer Allen Stone, making their international debut at Stone’s annual festival ‘Stone Family Field Trip’ in Washington in October 2024.

If you do one thing today, tune into the soul-provoking expression of resilience and join the groove-driven Ellen Mara Band revolution.

Burnout will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, from November 29^th;

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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