Browsing Tag

90s RnB

Sincerity and Skill Coalesce in Choclett P’s RnB Instant Classic, Do You Mind?

Posted on 17 December 2024

Do You Mind? by Choclett P aligns modern lyrical candour with a nostalgia-slick tempo, giving the shimmer of RnB an irresistible contemporary edge. The ‘Boy Meets Girl’ narrative veers away from expositions on superficial situationships, offering a tangible sense of honest connection. It’s as though the classic luminescence of RnB has been recast with a graceful subtlety, allowing soulful lyrics and seductive rhythms to coalesce in a perfect equilibrium.

Choclett P—born Larry Redding in South Bend, Indiana—occupies a unique sonic space influenced by Trey Songz, T-Pain, and Usher while still whispering of Michael Jackson’s timeless influence. He refuses to be defined by any label, having found ways to craft family-friendly hits and pure acapella renditions yet never straying from the genre that anchored him.

Recently signed to Cash Catcher North, he looks beyond the familiar, laying plans to perform at festivals, organise tours, and broaden his musical output. His focus remains on making his family proud and staying loyal to both himself and the supporters who have followed his evolution.

In Do You Mind?, Choclett P recaptures classic RnB warmth with sincerity and skill and reflects it through a fresh lens, proving that the heart of the genre can still glow with new intensity. You just can’t help falling for his aura.

Do You Mind? was officially released on November 27th; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Unveiled Desires: Kaye Fox and the Candid Rhythms of ‘WWYD’

Posted on 20 November 2024

Kaye Fox, long recognised as the clandestine force behind chart-topping hits for icons like J. Cole and Kanye West, finally commands the spotlight with her single, ‘WWYD’

Fox transformed the R&B scene by turning personal revelation into an art form. By questioning, “What would you do if you knew I was wide open?”, she stripped the facades commonly held in the theatres of affection, where desire can distort through candour when you refuse to keep your cards close to your chest.

The soul-stirring anxious rumination unfurls against a backdrop of 90s R&B nostalgia and contemporary soul as Fox’s vocals allow her lyrics to flourish with vulnerability and strength, merging the haunting magnetism of Lauryn Hill and the emotional gravity of Mary J. Blige. The smooth, underlying beat complements her intricate vocal phrasing, drawing listeners deeper into the narrative.

This single holds a mirror to the disarray of today’s dating culture while acting as a kaleidoscope of her own talent in connecting with listeners with intimate universal truth.

After WWYD, it’s clear that no RnB radar will be complete without Fox’s name. Stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chris J Hudson – What Do You Wanna Do ft MoskoStar1: A Game of Hearts and RnB Harmony

Posted on 13 November 2024

In What Do You Wanna Do, the two legends in their own right Chris J Hudson and MoskoStar1 create a velvet-touched sonic seduction that resonates with lyrical vulnerability and soulful bravado.

Born from Chris J Hudson’s creative evolution—from Phoenix indie band frontman in Thunderbird to an LA-based solo visionary—the track is a testament to his commitment to making music that embodies heart and soul. His influences, spanning from Prince’s experimental genius to the groove of Timbaland and the emotive depth of Joni Mitchell, are distilled into this bilingual RnB gem that bridges borders and musical backgrounds.

The single pulses with smoky Latin guitar tones and jazzy sax lines, underscored by melodious keys, that bring a nostalgic warmth straight from the 80s and 90s RnB playbook. It’s a quintessentially smooth yet fiery RnB-Soul fusion, reflecting Hudson’s belief that music should mirror what’s in the soul, not just provide easy pleasure. The track’s groove feels like a game of chess in the arena of love, where the object of desire holds all the proverbial cards, leaving the protagonist grappling with the pain of ambiguous longing.

Hudson’s artistry, defined by a mission to spread love and mindfulness, is undeniably at the heart of this sultry release. It’s an aural aphrodisiac designed to sweep listeners off their feet—while slyly reminding us that love often leaves us at its mercy.

What Do You Wanna Do is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Aneyrah – Marmalade: A Sticky-Sweet Slice of RnB Pop Seduction

Posted on 29 October 2024

‘Marmalade’ by Australian artist Aneyrah is a scintillating blend of 90s RnB pop nostalgia and disco grooves, offering a sensuously provocative record that shimmers with an arcane aura.

As the earworm progresses,  Aneyrah’s soulfully indomitable vocals are wrapped around a solid rhythmic pulse that magnetises the senses with every beat. Given the sharpness of the irresistible pop hooks in Marmalade, it wouldn’t be surprising if Aneyrah shared a lineage with Kylie and Dannii Minogue.

Lyrically, the single explores the complexities of relationships that precariously hang in a passionately tormentative grey area; each verse is an ethereally fiery declaration of a heart navigating its way through ambiguous romantic territory.

With her ability to fully command a sticky-sweet melody, every glittering note counts in this lyrical confession of love and longing. We can’t wait to hear what follows from the iconic conduit of soul; she’s the full RnB pop package.

Marmalade hit the airwaves on October 1st; stream the single on Spotify now.

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

Sydney’s annelise. is poised with sensuous power in her latest RnB single, Rearrangement

Posted on 21 July 2024

Since unveiling her 2019 debut EP, NO Feelings, the Western Sydney singer-songwriter annelise. has emerged as an indomitable force in the RnB scene who is showing no signs of slowing down on her trajectory to the top of the charts. Having been lauded by Rolling Stone Magazine and several other national tastemakers, she’s one of the few artists in the modern era who lives up to her hype.

Her latest sensuous with style and soul single, Rearrangement, is the latest installation in an onslaught of euphoric earworms which exhibit her seraphic grace and elevated approach to sound design which any fans of Aaliyah will want to inject into their playlists.

The downtempo track reverberates with honed emotional intelligence as she reflects on the downfall of a relationship after holding her partner to account. Rearrangement softly speaks volumes of how easy it is to become a pacifist in a toxic dynamic while attesting to how vital it is to trust your instinct and be your own advocate in a relationship.

The poised-with-power release will undoubtedly become a source of empowerment for anyone who sinks into the slow-burning serenade of the senses.

Rearrangement was officially released on July 18; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nicole Leaskk unveiled RnB’s most authenticated modern love story with ‘Want You’ ft Strizzy Strauss

Posted on 5 June 2024

Nicole Leaskk’s latest Afrobeat-heated single, Want You, is a subversive symbol of defiance in the face of RnB tropes. If you’re tired of the lyrical fawning and mourning old flames as their light dims, tune into the 90s RnB-inspired summer pop anthem that captures the passion of tragically relatable conflict. Tempers run as hot as the tones in RnB’s most authenticated modern love story.

The reprising lyric “I don’t even want you, I just want to prove you’re mine” testifies to the inevitability of becoming an unwilling pawn in mind games if you dare to delve into the dating pool as Latin flavours ooze through the guitars and percussion and bring the rhythmically kinetic groove in the Afrobeat-tinted production.

Strizzy Strauss’ grime-y rap bars work in dynamic contrast to Nicole Leaskk’s firebranded vocals as he delivers the other side of a cat-and-mouse vignette of tormenting prey before casting aside and moving onto the next chase.

The flawless execution of Want You will undoubtedly leave the UK singer-songwriter open to more critical acclaim. If you’re still sleeping on her, you may as well be in a coma.

Want You was officially released on May 31; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The UK’s hottest RnB trio, Y.Q.S, Harmonised Through An Interplay of Light and Dark Duality in Their Latest Single, No Angel

Posted on 24 May 2024

Y.Q.S’s latest harmonised-to-the-nines contemporary RnB single, No Angel, is a sublime equilibrium that delicately balances shadow and light, embodying the complexity of feminine energy and autonomy. This track emerges from the depths of personal scars and speaks volumes of universal archetypes, presenting itself as a bold declaration of independence against the backdrop of love’s darker, often unexplored side.

Y.Q.S, a supergroup hailing from the urban melting pots of London and Manchester, channels their rich RnB heritage into a modern narrative that will ensnare fans of iconic ensembles like 3LW and Destiny’s Child. No Angel is steeped in the trio’s signature style of lush, interwoven harmonies, elegantly layered over a trappy, contemporary beat that amplifies the track’s luxe feel.

The production, handled by Klaudia Keziah and Jojo Farinella at Southampton’s Red Room Studios, further refines the single’s polished fiery signature that carries the potent with empowerment lyrics, which create a resonant anthem for those who navigate the tightrope walk of self-sacrifice in relationships.

As Y.Q.S stands poised on the brink of further acclaim, having already graced platforms at London Fashion Week and received nods from BBC Introducing, No Angel promises to elevate their artistic trajectory even higher.

The release, scheduled for streaming on all major platforms, including Spotify, from May 24th, will coincide with the release of the official music video for No Angel.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nikki Hayes delivered cyclical sorrow and superlative soul in ‘Same One, Different Face’

Posted on 8 May 2024

We were still under Nikki Hayes’ spell after hearing her hit 2023 single Safe, which solidified her status as one of the most promising voices in the contemporary RnB scene; with her latest single, Same One, Different Face, the Chicago-born, Arizona-based artist surpassed herself by unveiling her most evocative single to date.

Even the title of the single is bruising with its nod to how even if one door closes and another opens, cyclical patterns in relationships haunt us and paint a tormenting fate that leaves us destined towards cynicism. The refreshed 90s RnB aesthetic became an affecting playground for Hayes’ vocals which go beyond hitting the notes with poise as they strike every raw nerve in the soul through this vignette of how easy it can be to forego vulnerability to save yourself from the dejection of disappointment.

By reaching the epitome of sublime soul with Same One, Different Face while never letting the gloss of the modern production get in the way of the lyrical resonance, Nikki Hayes has to be one step closer to a Grammy of her own after working with swathes Grammy award-winning producers and artists in her expansive career.

Same One, Different Face hit streaming platforms on April 12; add the single to your Spotify playlists.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Celestial Serenade: Anaia Lachelle’s ‘This Time’ Weaves RnB Nostalgia with Emotional Clarity

Posted on 28 April 2024

The anticipation for the RnB singer-songwriter Anaia Lachelle’s sophomore LP, Lay It Out, continues to intensify, especially after the release of her latest single, This Time. The 23-year-old Western Michigan University graduate has been honing her craft since the age of 16; in 2024, the evocative command of her pitch-perfect harmonies attests that there are few facets of her artistry left to polish.

The way her celestially crystalline harmonies glisten in the transcendent tones of her latest single, which finds the middle ground between 90s and 00s RnB, ensures that This Time doesn’t just act as a narration of her vulnerable emotion, it becomes a scintillating embodiment of it. Once you hit play on the single, you will fail to discern where your emotions end and the sublime succinct alchemy within This Time starts.

Every chapter of the tenderly tentative love story increases the yearning to turn the next page, allowing the single to offer a deeply gratifying listening experience as the progressions just get smoother and sweeter.

This Time hit the airwaves on April 12; stream the single on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast