Browsing Tag

90s RnB

King Brian calls for an end to injustice with his latest cinematic RnB single, Reparations

Posted on 18 September 2021

King Brian, AKA Brian Christopher Brown, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, filmmaker and producer; he poured all of his cinematic poise into his latest single, Reparations. Starting with the hard-hitting lyrics ‘we’ve been cursed for so long, but we are still strong’, emotional investment in the single is non-optional.

His latest single does plenty more than just run you through 400 years of sufferance and oppression; it acts as a celebration of every triumph over adversity. King Brian takes plenty of influence from artists such as Michael Jackson, Tupac and Prince; there may not be much sonic resemblance in the soundscape. Yet, Reparations undoubtedly carries the same sense of soul that will test your own soul’s capacity to feel.

The Radio Edit of Reparations is now available to stream and purchase via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Yona Marie has dropped her interstellar hit single, Take Me to the Moon.

Posted on 19 July 2021

With her seductive style and snipingly clever lyricism, up and coming artist, songwriter and producer Yona Marie has exactly what it takes to become the Peaches of RnB. Her interstellar hit, Take Me to the Moon, dropped on June 21st; it is the perfect introduction to her devious yet undeniably soulful class and style.

Any fans of 90s and 00s RnB will feel right at home in the empowering energetic single that follows a female protagonist trying to bank on her social capital while contending with lavish hunger. In essence, it’s a soulful affirmation that if you can get it, you’re worth it.

You can check out the sensual sassy grooves in Take Me to the Moon for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Revisit 90s RnB with Kule T’s new single, ‘The Deal’

Posted on 13 June 2021
Kule T

‘The Deal’ is just one of the tracks that feature on UK-based singer-songwriter Kule T’s debut RnB dance-pop EP, ‘Emotional Rollercoaster’; it eclipses the 90s while welcoming in the future of soul-infused dance-pop.

After spending time in the Sony/Columbia-signed band, MN8 in the 90s, Kule T definitely knows his way around the RnB sound. The happy grooves in The Deal capture the euphoria of getting hooked on someone, while the hooks themselves will draw you into a colourful soundscape that vibes with uniqueness, seduction, and soul.

You will be able to listen to The Deal from July 9th; check out Kule T via their website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Linden Tyson brings the ‘ENERGY’ with his latest boom-bap track.

Posted on 16 May 2021

Fiery trap, 90s RnB, boom-bap, and jazz hip hop pull together as the cornerstones in Linden Tyson’s latest single, ‘ENERGY’. The New York-hailing artist brought that definitive NYC sound into the mix and plenty of his honesty through the lyrics that allow you to prize inspiration from Tyson’s hard-fought-for introspection.

The sharp and playful bars groove along with the boom-bap beats that come with a touch of classic RnB in the keys. ENERGY is practically an aural orgy of urban 90s sounds that will bring plenty of nostalgia for 90s kids.

Since 2017, Linden Tyson has been making heads spin with his dizzying canter and soul-filling 808s as an independent artist; it is only a matter of time before he gets scouted by a major label. Watch this space.

Linden Tyson’s latest single, ENERGY, is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Brittney Crush is watching from her ‘Window’

Posted on 2 May 2021

It’s always nice to hear ‘proper’, live guitar on an electronic-based R&B track, and the guitar part on Brittney Crush’s new single ‘Window’ is a superb, delicately played and funk-driven soulful groove sitting perfectly between the electronica of synth bass and beats and Brittney’s excellent vocal part. The latter is a deep, chilled, and mellow delivery, smooth and sultry, breathy and delicious, perfectly matching the lyrical themes of female empowerment, chasing dreams, living life to the fullest, and finding love.

‘Window’ is a beautiful return to form for Brittney Crush, whose debut album ‘Chameleon’ was released to critical acclaim in 2018, followed by the singles ‘Bad Girl’, ‘Pick Them’, and ‘Big Joke’; with performances opening for soul-disco legend Gloria Gaynor, and shows at the Staples Centre (for the LA Clippers and the LA Sparks, Brittney’s home-town NBA teams), and at the Taste of Soul festival in Atlanta, good things are already happening for Brittney Crush. On the basis of ‘Window’, those good things are going to get bigger and brighter in 2021.

You can see the awesome, 1970’s-tinged video for ‘Window’ on YouTube; check out Brittney Crush, and get hold of the new single, here.

Review by Alex Holmes

 

RnB pop artist Lenken released his soul-loaded summer playlist staple, ‘Into Mine’.

Posted on 2 April 2021

Through tropic trap-pop beats, euphoric imagery and radio-ready RnB vocals, Lenken’s latest single, ‘Into Mine’, has all the makings of a summer playlist staple. We may not be there yet, seasonally, but Lenken has a unique way of bringing tonal warmth through their vibrant soul-loaded sound.

So far, the artist’s vocal timbre has earned him a finalist position in NZ Idol in 2006, an opening spot for JA RULE and the top spot of the iTunes Independent Christian/Gospel Charts. With his influences including soul, contemporary pop and 90s RnB, there’s an instant feeling of familiarity with tracks such as Into Mine. His humble charisma has a way of making you feel right at home. Any fans of Ne-Yo, Usher and Boyz II Men shouldn’t hesitate to hit play.

Into Mine is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

RnB artist, Hi Love leaves us with chills with her latest release ‘Cold Wind’

Posted on 13 March 2021

Hi Love left us enraptured and sent us back in time with her latest 90s-inspired RnB EP, ‘Cold Wind’. The title may allude to the cold chill of winter, but the soul which the six glamorously shimmering singles contain allows them to radiate nothing but warmth.

With some reminiscences of Beverly Knight and Jennifer Hudson, Hi Love’s sound is beyond accessible. The distinction comes through the visceral emotion projected by the hypnotically harmonic vocals which efficaciously draw you into her music. The first track and title track is the perfect introduction to the EP which inspires the listener to think of a higher level.

Cold Wind is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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Override Anxiety with Breaking Pop artist LIIYO’s Latest Single ‘Overwhelmed’

Posted on 9 December 2020

Usually, Pop ballads tend to narrate love stories which only seem to reflect Hollywood-style romance, with their latest single, ‘Overwhelmed’, London-based Pop artist LIIYO cut the pretence and projected plaintive resonant emotion which we have all felt at some point during lockdown.

Ultimately, Overwhelmed is reassurance that no matter how powerless you feel, no matter how much you feel like your sanity is slipping, those feelings will fade.

Overwhelmed is a sonorously cathartic aural extension of the artist’s compassion and tenacity when it comes to offering his fans exactly what they need to hear. It may have been their first time orchestrating a ballad, but LIIYO was able to bring a striking amount of maturity to Overwhelmed which followed on from their two precious releases ‘Bad Reaction’ and ‘Dizzy’.

With their affinity for KPOP, 90s RnB, Soul and 80s Electro all feeding their way into the mix, which was produced by Will Henderson, the instrumentals are as tender as the lyrics and vocals which offer pitch-perfect Pop harmony.

LIIYO may have only made his debut in Summer 2020, but previously, they were lending their talent to KPOP-inspired UK Pop groups who were responsible for bringing plenty of KPOP fever to this side of the pond. As a solo artist, LIIYO started to strive to find their own sound, instead of celebrating a pre-existing one. The result? Darker, deeper, more meaningful music that will undoubtedly become plenty of people’s playlist staples.

You can check out LIIYO’s latest single Overwhelmed for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Keep up to date with new releases from LIIYO via Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jamal Plummer has revived the smooth 90s RnB style with “Higher”

Posted on 28 August 2020

Jamal Plummer has revived the smooth 90s RnB-style with their standout single “Higher”. If your playlists are lacking in inspirational urban aural gems, there’s plenty of resolving optimistic soul found in the radio-ready release.

The amorously accordant single captures that all too rare feeling of absolute contentment. Not just contentment within a romantic relationship but harnessing that passion and pouring it into every area of your life. If Higher doesn’t compel you to approach life with a rejuvenated sense of purpose and ambition, I don’t know what will.

You can check out Jamal Plummer’s single Higher for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Angel x Star – Talk About It: Empoweringly Resonant RnB Pop Hip Hop

Posted on 19 May 2020

Angel x Star’s latest RnB Pop Hip Hop track “Talk About It” perfectly captures the confused frustration which lingers in the wake of a breakup. If you’re seeking some aural empowerment, you’ll hit the jackpot with Talk About It.

In situations where it’s all too easy to relent and endure meaningless conversations, Talk About It is a stark reminder that you’ve got better things to do with your time. The Trap beats create a solid platform for Angel x Star’s vocals to create alchemy on, there may be a few pensive tones thrown into the multi-layered mix. But from start to finish, it’s an evocatively energetic track.

You can practically feel the collaborative chemistry in Talk About It. Naturally, we’re all too excited to hear their next single which is due to drop this summer.

You can check out the official lyric video which premiered on April 21st via YouTube.

Talk About It is also available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast