Browsing Tag

90s RnB Pop

Chantelle made a sensuously stoic debut with her RnB Pop hit, It Is What It Is

Posted on 25 April 2024

Chantelle’s sensually stoic debut single ‘It Is What It Is‘ introduces us to what might just be the next breakthrough artist in RnB pop. Her uniquely commanding ability to draw listeners into her lyrical world is evident in this first release. As the melody unfolds, Chantelle ensures that we are not just spectators but active participants in her sonic sojourn by leaving us tantalised by the warm glow of her soulful vocal lines.

‘It Is What It Is’ acts as the antithesis of your average love song, engaging listeners with its assertive acceptance of a promising relationship turned disappointing. The influence of 90s RnB shines through in the playfully exuberant touches to her vocal performance; if you couldn’t get enough of TLC’s No Scrubs, you’ll find this release equally as hard to quit.

This Nigerian, UK-born and based artist brings a rich background in music, performance, and production from the University of Kent to the industry, combined with hands-on experience in photography, videography, and content creation. Her multifaceted expertise enriches her music, making each song not just a track but a comprehensive artistic expression.

With ‘It Is What It Is’, Chantelle not only sets the stage for her burgeoning career but also promises that wherever she takes us next, it will be worth the journey.

It Is What It Is was officially released on April 5^th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Evelyine found the poetry in intimacy in her RnB single, Moonlight + Cotton Sheets

Posted on 2 January 2023

Finding the poetry in intimacy, the up-and-coming RnB soulstress, Evelyine, reached evocatively ethereal heights with her latest single, Moonlight + Cotton Sheets.

Between the contemporary kick of the trip-hop textures, the contrast of the smooth rap bars from the featuring artist, Adrian Wright, and her elevated harmonies, which reminisce with 90s pop and RnB nostalgia, the soul in the standout single from her album, NEW LIFE, is hypnotising.

The Grand Rapids, MI singer-songwriter has been polishing her RnB pop edge since the age of seven, when she started writing lyrics. Under the influence of Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera and Celine Dion, she found her voice, leading to her becoming a regular performer by age 16. After touring the circuit with cover material, she returned to her songwriting passion and penned her first single, New Life, which hit the airwaves in January 2022.

Whatever her next move is, we know it’s going to be embellished with soul, talent and intrinsic grace.

Moonlight + Cotton Sheets is now available to stream on Soundcloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Beth Macari’s ‘Gotta Get Back’ to 90’s soul.

Posted on 10 April 2021

Boom! What goes around, comes around, it seems, and ‘there ain’t nothin’ new under the sun’, and in the case of ‘Gotta Get Back’, that’s a very, very good thing indeed: The spirit of 1990’s soul and R&B artists like Lisa Stansfield, Dina Carroll, or Gabrielle, lives on through Newcastle-based chanteuse Beth Macari’s new single. That’s Newcastle UK, not North-Eastern Wyoming, although you’d never necessarily know that from Macari’s smooth, soulful voice and deliciously well-polished delivery. This is solid gold old-school UK pop-tinged soul/R&B (and if you think that’s hard to say, you should try writing it) that equally sounds beautifully up-to-date, immediate, and fresh. It’s got that Ian Devaney/Andy Morris/Nigel Lowis/CJ Mackintosh production feel courtesy of long-term collaborator ‘Phil The Beat’, opening with smoky vocals and stabbed electro-piano before those retro Linn/TR-808 beats kick in, chokky little funk guitar chords and deep, deep bass carrying the melody behind Macari’s stunning vocal delivery and multi-layered chorus earworm hook. It’s catchy, bouncy, upbeat, hopeful, and danceable all at once.

Macari is already lined up to support Alexandra Burke and Will Young later this year; on the basis of ‘Gotta Get Back’, those won’t be the only high-profile artists coming calling for her services in the near future.

‘Gotta Get Back’ is released on April 13^th through all major streaming services; in the meantime, you can check out Beth Macari here or on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Mike Cortes – the New York-based musician/writer drops first solo single with ‘Unstable’

Posted on 10 April 2021

‘Unstable’ is the first single from newcomer Mike Cortes, but he’s far from new to ‘the scene’; with a publishing deal and writing credits for numerous other artists over the last six years, this is Cortes putting everything he’s learned in the last six years into practice for himself, with a gentle little dance-pop track. Part Hispanic-beat, part soft, catchy pop chorus, held together by Cortes’ high, sing-song vocal. It’s a great little opener, a perfect radio-friendly pop track, dance beats mixing with a bouncy skank groove bassline and choppy guitar-and-keys chords – there’s a touch of Deanz, Tommy Ljungberg, Aiyo, or Blaeker. It’s a track that promises much, much more from Mike Cortes.

Check out Mike Cortes on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

Lea Keeley has released her mindfully meta RnB single ‘Who You Are’

Posted on 5 December 2020

Lea Keeley has released her self-produced soul-infused RnB Pop hit ‘Who You Are’, it’s an irrefutable invitation to find some perspective and get to know yourself while you get acquainted with an inspiringly meta singer-songwriter.

We’ve all had plenty more time for introspection lately, one major drawback is the increased amount of time to find doubts and fear. Lea Keeley’s succinctly mindful single is powerful enough to wrangle stray strings of sanity while it persuasively affirms that any trust you place within your own mind, desire and determination is well invested if you look for signs of synchronicity.

You can check out Who You Are for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast