Browsing Tag

80s RnB

Anirban Jee is soul searching in the lush landscape of his RnB Pop earworm, Looking for Something

Posted on 23 September 2024

Anirban Jee serenaded his staunch fan base once again with his soulfully smooth tribute to 80s RnB and Soul, Looking for Something.

Passion permeates every progression in the lush landscape of pop hooks, funky guitar chops and reverb-radiating synth lines which carry the Australian singer-songwriter’s honeyed timbres right into your soul as he narrates the emotions which rush to the surface when you’re yearning for something far beyond the superficial without knowing exactly what you’re looking for.

The award-winning artist has done so much more than found the perfect RnB pop formula; he’s found the key to connection and it is opening all the right doors in the industry with his profoundly sophisticated and magnetised sonic signature which listeners the world over have fallen head over heels for.

Looking for Something is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Audric Pinder revived RnB’s golden era with ‘The Moment I Laid Eyes on You’

Posted on 5 August 2024

Audric Pinder’s latest single, ‘The Moment I Laid Eyes on You,’ is a veritable aural rapture for RnB fans weary of the genre’s modern iterations that often assimilate and echo the vibes of Frank Ocean and The Weeknd. Pinder separates himself from the crowd with his distinct blend of honeyed harmonies and diehard romanticism. His production chops shine as he infuses salacious soul into every beat while ensuring the purity of his sound remains undiluted.

The track is a euphonic meditation on love’s ability to elevate us above the mundane material world. It offers a refreshing escape into the arms of romance, where every harmony is an avenue of affection to explore. The backing vocals perfectly complement the main lines, amplifying the arcane energy of the single, which embodies the deep reverie of falling irresistibly in love.

Instrumentally, ‘The Moment I Laid Eyes on You’ is a respectful nod to the soul-stirring rhythms of the 80s and 90s RnB, a period revered for its rich, emotive layers while Pinder’s vocal arrangements offer innovation for anyone craving originality in their RnB repertoire.

The Moment I Laid Eyes on You is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Slip into the sheets of euphoria with Deshon Washington’s RnB hit, Stay the Night

Posted on 30 March 2024
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=vR-XrlMrCA4&si=gZSTSk2_PROKWy_y

Take the time to slip away from the Weeknd and into the superlative RnB pop solace and soul which resounds in Deshon Washington’s standout single, Stay the Night. With one of the seamlessly smooth crescendos on the airwaves, the single erupts into a burst of affection-derived euphoria as the backbeat bolsters and the passion spilling from Washington’s vocal lines intensifies.

By building up from a tenderly caressive start and allowing the soundscape, which intertwines 80s, 90s, and contemporary RnB aesthetics, to ensue into a cascade of ardour, Stay the Night becomes so much more than a proclamation of passion from the Arkansas singer-songwriter. You almost get a first-hand experience of hitting the sheets with one of the most seductive artists on the scene when you hit play.

After cutting his teeth in the indie RnB scene for the past seven years, Deshon Washington’s time to dominate the charts is now. Following being cast on the Netflix series Sing On, earning his stripes as an international performer and a nomination for R&B Vocalist of the Year in 2023, we have no doubt that 2024 will be the year when he moves from criminally underrated to internationally acclaimed.

Stream Stay the Night on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Go down the rabbit hole with TaQuan MonChez’s ode to 80s soul, Wonderland

Posted on 20 March 2024

Start your 80s RnB love story by slipping into TaQuan MonChez’s latest single, ‘Wonderland’, which pours the essence of gospel into the heart of RnB. After honing his skills in a 20-year tenure as a church musician and a self-taught pianist, Wonderland showcases TaQuan’s journey and his ability to construct auditory embraces, capable of enveloping listeners in lush, hazy tones.

The ode to an ethereal kind of love, one that allows the material world to dissolve into insignificance, ensures this emotional theme resounds through each element – especially through his velvety magnetic vocals as they effortlessly ascend into a higher vocal register.

The guitar lines in ‘Wonderland’ are also a standout feature, dancing through the track with a pop and groove that’s infectious, intricate, and definitively 80s. These melodies underpin TaQuan’s vocal prowess, creating a layered and immersive soundscape.

Moreover, ‘Wonderland’ is a showcase of TaQuan MonChez’s exceptional songwriting ability. Each musical element is meticulously woven to create a tapestry that visually and sonically represents the sanctity of transcendent love. The song is a testament to TaQuan’s belief in music that resonates with integrity and decency.

Wonderland was officially released on February 16; stream the single on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Supa Philly – PERCOLATE: A Retro RnB Revival with a Modern Heartbeat

Posted on 29 January 2024

Supa Philly, a band seasoned by decades of musical evolution, returned with their latest single, PERCOLATE, a track that masterfully interweaves the vibrant essence of ’80s synth-pop, funk, and disco into the fabric of R&B.

The song’s essence, deeply rooted in political inspiration, resonates with a message of love and unity, a beacon of hope in today’s fragmented world. Its lyrics, “Life is short… No more hate… Show your love… Percolate,” echo as a mantra for our times, urging listeners to embrace a brighter, more harmonious path.

Supa Philly’s rich heritage, having shared the limelight with legends like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Monkees, infuses PERCOLATE with a depth and authenticity rarely found in modern music. The blend of experienced voices with fresh, dynamic tones creates a vocal synergy that is both stirring and soulful.

The honed songwriting chops lend a refined yet spirited character to the track as the production melds classic synth lines with contemporary rhythms, crafting a soundscape that is both nostalgically familiar and thrillingly new. The gospel-influenced backing vocals add a layer of majestic depth, reminiscent of the soulful echoes of R&B greats.

As we eagerly await their upcoming release, ANOTHER FOOL (On a Hill), it’s evident that Supa Philly continues to redefine the boundaries of music. This track is an essential listen for those seeking a rejuvenating musical experience and a reminder of the enduring power of unity and love.

Get into the groove with PERCOLATE via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Emissary of Impassioned Nostalgia, Donnell Isaac Has Come Through with His Latest RnB Single, Through Love

Posted on 13 September 2023

If your 80s & 90s RnB playlists need a fresh kick of soul, the latest single, Through Love, from the emissary of impassioned nostalgia, Donnell Isaac, will deliver a potent shot of sweet sensuality.

The Portsmouth, Virginia-hailing singer-songwriter and composer allowed RnB fans to delve far deeper than Frank Ocean hits with the staunchly traditionalist track that reaches the epitome of cinematic soul.

Through Love, which explores the all-consuming gratitude love evokes, pays an ode to the celestial capacity of true love; in an era of superficial connection, the single is a testament to the rewards for romantic vulnerability. Between his Gospel-grown vocal lines and the arresting electric guitar solo towards the outro, Through Love efficaciously leaves the senses alight.

Through Love dropped on September 8th; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Move Over Eilish, Rallen is Reigning Supreme as the Ultimate Bad Guy in His New RnB Hit, Berserk

Posted on 10 August 2023

Winnipeg-born, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Rallen caressed the roots of RnB with the dreamily nostalgic melodicism in his latest single, Berserk.

Much like the rest of his discography, the short and salaciously sweet release gives an intimate view into his psyche around the soaring sax notes and 80s-esque synth lines. The contrast between his candour and honeyed harmonies gives the release an oceanic depth as he attests to choosing pleasure over peace and professes to be anything but the perfect romantic protagonist.

If any single proves that we’re all just tormented people trying to get by, using sexual currency to find our worth, it is Berserk. Rallen’s commitment to sonically visualising his experience of adversity and affliction has established him as one of the most authentic acts on the RnB scene. It is only a matter of time before he reigns as supreme as the Weeknd.

Berserk was officially released on July 14th; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bomb Voyage has debuted his compassionately choral RnB dream pop serenade, Serenity

Posted on 20 July 2023

With melodically intricate indie guitars and synths that wouldn’t be out of place in a Cigarettes After Sex single, Bomb Voyage created a hazily dreamy atmosphere for his classic RnB vocals to soak into in his latest single, Serenity.

Hedonistic and self-destructive behaviour may have been normalised to the point it has been glamorised in contemporary culture; instead of contributing to the acceptability of the toxicity of the trend, Bomb Voyage orchestrated a moody yet compassionate ballad to pay an ode to a female protagonist who has a proclivity towards excess.

Rather than painting a monster, Bomb Voyage used their lyrical empathy and beckoningly magnetic vocal lines to create a consoling release for anyone who needs the affirmation that even the most wayward souls deserve to be seen beyond their lifestyles.

Serenity is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jermare Harrison spills all in his synthy 80s RnB pop single, Secret to Tell

Posted on 9 November 2022

American singer-songwriter Jermare Harrison doused us in 80s soul with his divinely synthy seminal single, Secret to Tell, which flows in the same lush vein as icons Soul II Soul and Alexander O’Neal, with plenty of room for authenticity to spare.

The beckoning lyrics through his smooth RnB pop harmonies invite the listener into the intimacy of his candour while the mellow percussion and soft synth layers orchestrate a dreamy sense of catharsis. It’s a timeless classic single from the artist who made his debut in 2015 after immersing himself in the performing arts world at the age of five. We can’t wait to hear what’s next from the impassionedly talented artist.

Secret to Tell is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Throw away romantic inhibition with Ze-LuJ’s seminal single, Say You Love Him

Posted on 6 October 2021

Contemporary RnB artist, Ze-LuJ’s seminal single, Say You Love Him, is the perfect introduction to his sublimely smooth take on neo-soul. The ease of the minimalist 80s-inspired electronic instrumentals allows the single to groove at a meditative pace while the singer-songwriter croons the lyrics that tempt the listener to throw away romantic inhibition and go all in.

The production may be a little raw and simplistic, but that simply gives the intimacy of the single more space to breathe.

You can check out Say You Love Him, which was released in July 2021, for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast