Browsing Tag

90s RnB

Top supermodel Alana Monteiro brought style to the airwaves with her RnB meets dream-pop hit, Miss No More

Posted on 20 March 2024

Fuse wavy indie dream pop with swathes of contemporary appeal and Lynchian sonic cinematography, bed the synthesis into RnB roots, and you will be left with a hypnotic elixir which pours as deliciously as Alana Monteiro’s single, Miss No More.

The single unravels through the juxtaposition of lyrical vulnerability and the strident reclamation of power following a disempowering relationship that turned sour. The timbres in the track may run smooth, but there’s no putting out the fire Alana Monteiro started with her velvety luxe vocal lines that harness all the rage that is left in the ashes of a relationship that will never allow you to live up to your worth.

It’s a stunning release from the multi-faceted powerhouse of talent; when Alana Monteiro isn’t in the studio, she’s making waves in the fashion industry as a top supermodel who has made her way into the ranks of the top 100 black female models and acting in Emmy-award-winning films. Miss No More is definitive proof that her beauty is more than skin deep; it oozes from her soul into the lush production.

Stream the official lyric video for Miss No More which is slick with Burn Book-esque aesthetics and premiered on March 13 on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Toy Taha – Thrill is Gone: A Fiery Requiem for Lost Love

Posted on 12 March 2024

Following up on her debut LP, EIGHT, the Philadelphia native, Toy Taha confidently veered off RnB’s beaten track with her latest single, Thrill is Gone.

Instrumentally, the moody jazzy foray is reminiscent of what might happen if the Arctic Monkeys took a detour through the heart of RnB territory; the instrumentals melodiously flow, blending genres tied together by a luxe 90s twist, setting a stage for Taha’s voice to explore the emotional aftermath of a fleeting romance.

Taha’s vocal lines weave through the complexities of quick-to-burn passion and being left with the aftermath of deception. Her voice, cultivated from a rich tapestry of influences ranging from Shirley Murdoch to Whitney Houston, scathes with a raw intensity, smouldering with unresolved passion.

Thrill is Gone is a testament to her candid lyrical approach, she navigates the intricate dynamics of love and loss with a narrative depth that’s as compelling as it is relatable, resulting in a fully stylised emotional outpour that anyone in the same position can source catharsis from.

Thrill is Gone was officially released on February 23rd, check it out on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: London’s Thai chi Rosè embodied empowerment in the elegant serenity of her RnB single, Cumfort

Posted on 8 March 2024

Thai chi Rosè, London’s rising RnB sensation, has outdone herself with her latest single, ‘Cumfort’. The cultural tapestry weaves together the soulful echoes of the ’90s RnB era with the vibrant threads of her British Jamaican heritage, resulting in a masterpiece that resonates with a timeless yet contemporary beat.

‘Cumfort’ is a delicate balance of contrasts. Thai chi Rosè’s voice, soft yet powerful, wraps around the listener, while her British Jamaican accent adds an exotic flair to the track, making it stand out in today’s RnB landscape. It’s this unique blend of cultures and eras that gives ‘Cumfort’ its soul-stirring depth and appeal.

The track’s integration of Patois, while staying firmly rooted in RnB, is nothing short of revolutionary. It’s a bold statement in a genre that often leans towards the conventional. This daring move not only showcases Thai chi Rosè’s versatility as an artist but also her commitment to breaking new ground in the music industry.

For aficionados of RnB legends like Aaliyah, Mini Rippleton, and Adina Howard, ‘Cumfort’ is a refreshing nod to the past, yet it pulses with a modern, innovative spirit. It’s a track that demands to be heard and felt.

Thai chi Rosè’s journey, from hosting stage takeovers at prestigious festivals to her international campaign and TV features, is a testament to her growing influence in the music world. With ‘Cumfort’ and more sultry tracks on the horizon, she is an artist to watch.

Stream Cumfort on Spotify now.

Follow Thai chi Rosè on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Swedish Soul Pop Firebrand, Nadine Randle, Has a New Chart-Topper on Her Hands with ‘Man Up’.

Posted on 19 February 2024

Nadine Randle’s voice has proven to be one of the most magnetic of this era; each of her hits goes down a soulful storm on streaming platforms and in the charts; her latest single, Man Up, is no exception to that rule.

Man Up revolutionises the 90s RnB Pop vibe, with all of the firebrand swagger you’d expect from an artist musing through that stylistically influential epoch. Exuding the same empowering edge as the iconic likes of Destiny’s Child and TLC, the Swedish singer-songwriter delivered a fiery anthem that will speak to anyone who wants to regain their power after suffering through a relationship that was beneath them.

Even though the title of the single has a slight misandrist undertone, when you hit play and sink into the soulfully melodious grooves of the release, you will realise that Randle versed this earworm to deliver vindication hand over fist to the women that need an affirmation that settling for less than what you’re worth is a recipe for destruction and frustration.

Man Up was officially released on February 9th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Abeni embarked on a soulful journey between past and present with her seminal single, Better Days

Posted on 19 December 2023

Abeni tapped into the collective distaste for the present through the heartfelt expression in her single, Better Days, from the debut EP, Lesson Learned. The track is a poignant narrative that encapsulates the essence of nostalgia, introspection, and the deeply human tendency to yearn for days gone by.

Abeni, whose journey from a shy, music-averse child to a multifaceted artist, infuses Better Days with a depth that is both personal and universally relatable. The song is a lament on the present, a reflection of fear towards an uncertain future, and a longing to recapture the bliss of the past.

Sonically, Better Days is a masterful blend of genres. Abeni’s background, spanning from classical to jazz and pop, is evident in the way she weaves these influences into a soulful tapestry. The track is underpinned by grooves reminiscent of 90s R&B, yet it feels utterly contemporary. Her voice, rich and emotive, acts as a guiding light through the layers of sound, ensuring that the listener feels every ounce of the song’s emotional weight.

The song traverses the personal and the universal, touching on the collective desire to find solace in the past as we navigate an often-tumultuous present. It’s a testament to her skill as a songwriter and her sensitivity as an artist.

Abeni Mason-Draffen is not just a singer; she’s a storyteller, and her stories need to be heard. As she continues on her musical journey, one thing is certain: the future is bright for this talented artist.

Stream Abeni’s debut EP on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Let your body and soul talk with ANYAH’s latest RnB single, Last Night

Posted on 19 November 2023

ANYAH’s latest single, Last Night, is a testament to her ability when it comes to redefining the RnB genre with her sultry, multi-layered style that effortlessly intertwines the smooth, nostalgic vibes of old-school RnB with a vibrant Latino pop flair. Her Fil-Am heritage brings an intoxicating diversity to the track which echoes the soulful depths of Aaliyah, the raw emotion of Ashanti, and the rhythmic prowess of Janet Jackson, and transcends mere mimicry.

Educated in the performing arts, the singer-songwriter’s academic prowess shines through in her meticulous craft. Her multilingual vocal ability, spanning German, Italian, French, and Russian, adds a cosmopolitan monocultural mould-smashing sheen to her music, which goes a fair way in enhancing the emotional resonance and appeal of her work. Her background in dance manifests in the rhythmic pulse of Last Night, which guides the listener’s body and heart through a smooth narrative.

The single’s outro is a clever subversion, revealing the entire emotional journey the single took you on to be a voicemail, a twist that lingers in the mind long after the song ends. It is safe to say ANYAH is painting herself as one of the most promising artists in Orlando’s music scene, not just through her music but through her impressive and well-rounded artistry that promises even more depth and surprises in the future.

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

Lyra unleashed Medusa in their latest funk-pop-RnB alchemic amalgam.

Posted on 1 September 2023

With powerfully alluring vocals slipping into an amalgam of funk, pop and 90s RnB, the latest single, Medusa, from the London-hailing prodigal children of soulful experimentalism, Lyra, is a boundary-breaking triumph.

With vocal lines that are as resonant and sonorous as the timbres you would expect from Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus and intellectually enlivening lyricism bolstering the track that is rich with lush reverb, disco grooves, and rhythmic alchemy, Medusa is a track that could easily help Lyra make an even bigger mark on the RnB map. I mean, have you ever heard a stronger opening lyrical line than “I slept with my demons, they never called me back”?

Since forming in 2016, the outfit has brought its live sound to many of the most prestigious venues, including The Bedford, The Camden Assembly, and 99 Feet East; they have also received the Track of the Week accolade from BBC Introducing. We’re sure that even greater things await after Medusa is unleashed.

Medusa will be available to stream from the 1st of September; hear it via this link. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

UK songstress, fii, cut constricting ties in her empowerment-advocating debut, Goodbye

Posted on 19 May 2023
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Fans of Kehlani, Teyana Taylor, and SZA will want to prick their ears up to the empoweringly assuring debut single, Goodbye, from the Milton-Keynes singer-songwriter, fii, who fuses RnB & pop elements across the eras to speak to every generation with her introspective gold lyricality and hook-rife melodies.

The strength in Goodbye is gorgeously multifaceted; the sultry smooth rhythmics and stellar production melded with her soulfully convicting vocal presence affirmed that she’s one to watch. The UK RnB scene is infinitely richer for her elevated contribution.

The lyric “I might get lonely in December but right now I’m better than ever” is a testament to how raw and heartfelt the release is despite the infectious testament that you’re always better off missing the person who an ex pretended to be in the beginning than trying to re-manifest a person who never truly existed.

“Goodbye is inspired by the feeling of relief and freedom after a toxic relationship has ended. I wrote it to encourage myself to get over someone; music was the most cathartic way of dealing with all the confusing feelings. I want my fans to hear it and think, yeah, I’m not scared to say goodbye to a situation that isn’t serving me either.”

Goodbye will hit the airwaves on May 19; catch it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Raymond Theard & Frannie EL delivered luxe euphonic soul in their latest single, She Wants Me

Posted on 24 April 2023

For their latest single, She Wants Me, the New Orleans born and raised RnB luminary and owner of 4u Productions, Raymond Theard, roped in the vocal cords of Frannie EL to deliver luxe euphonic soul, served with a slice of seductive rap that effortlessly coalesces with his 90s-ESQUE harmonies that turn up the heat on romantic gratitude.

The perfect soundtrack to a late-night drive through a glistening metropolis, She Wants Me reached the pinnacle of sonic sex appeal as it cruises through the mellifluous progressions with groove pockets so deep that you could bed down in them. Instead of solely pulling at the roots of RnB, Theard planted a few soul seeds of his own, enabling the hit to set the bar for any contemporary looking to tattoo themselves in their audiences’ memory.

She Wants Me hit the airwaves on March 31; hear it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast