Browsing Tag

Downtempo RnB

From Berlin with Flavour: WRY’s ‘Sweet n Salty’ Mixes Up Alt-RnB

Posted on 15 September 2024

The Berlin-based artist WRY doesn’t just fit into the contemporary alt-RnB dynamic, she has reached the zenith of it with her debut EP, Sweet n Salty, which she has been gearing up towards since she hit the airwaves running with her first single, Anywhere, in 2021.

The title track drenches the senses in the sublimity of the downtempo soul which harnesses the quintessence of RnB while pushing the genre forward through rhythmically eloquent innovation. The reverb-drenched melodies seamlessly float above perfectly syncopated beats which mimic the rapid thumping of a heartfelt emotion, crafting an atmosphere thick with anticipation and serenity.

WRY’s vocal delivery is a fiery cascade, yet it possesses a sensuous lightness that whispers secrets only the most attentive listeners will discern. With influences from iconic figures like Amy Winehouse, Banks, and Charlotte Cardin, WRY constructed a solid foundation of inspiration to construct her own authentic aural aura.

Each track in her growing discography is a shift away from the predictable, and Sweet n Salty is no exception. The emotional discourse, articulated through a minimalist yet powerful arrangement solidifies WRY’s position as one of the most promising names in the Berlin alt-RnB scene.

Stream the Sweet n Salty EP on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The RnB duo onemind ‘meditate’ on romanticism in their slick indie hit.

Posted on 13 February 2023

After finding success as a touring musician, Dario Mihic set out to swathe the airwaves with his devilishly slick soul as one-half of the brother duo onemind. With the indie RnB single meditation, he and his brother Martin discernibly succeeded.

As the celestial vocal timbre wraps itself around the romanticism in the lyrics, the gentle mellifluous guitar notes that ethereally reminisce on the instrumental hooks in Justin Timberlake’s Cry Me a River amplify the accordance even further. The downtempo hit spills alchemic chemistry as it works through the poised progressions, setting ample anticipation over what fresh soulful innovation will pour from onemind in the future. Save a place on your radar.

Meditation was officially released on January 31st. Hear it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sweden’s most seductive singer-songwriter, Syrran, gets intimate in her self-produced debut single, All of Tonight

Posted on 4 February 2022

Since debuting her sensual vibes in her first single, I mina lakan, in 2021, the Sweden-hailing singer-songwriter and producer, Syrran has attracted plenty of avid international fans with her velvet vocal timbre and equally as seductive beats.

Her latest RnB single, All of Tonight, is a flood of intimacy, passion and the kind of vulnerability that comes through giving yourself completely to someone. Lyrically, Syrran could be Anais Nin’s sweeter cousin. In every verse, you’ll find proof of the singer-songwriter’s ability to express affectionate emotion in matchless fashion. We can’t wait to hear what follows.

Syrran is now available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ziyaad Luceō takes us through a ‘Moment in Time’ in his latest cinematic aural triumph

Posted on 1 January 2022

Remember when we anticipated all of the incredible art that would transpire through creative minds being locked away and forced to reflect? The breakthrough artist, Ziyaad Luceō, delivered exactly what we aspiringly yearned for with his latest single, Moment in Time.

The Toronto-based singer-songwriter and producer has become an international sensation since the release of his 2020 album, Through These Eyes. His most popular single, Summer ’21, has racked up over 1 million streams on Spotify alone, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why.

In Moment in Time, he lures you in with a simple piano melody before the electronic effects start to resound around his hypnotically smooth vocal timbre. His strident passion fuels the cinematically arranged single that artfully unfolds around the sound of waves crashing, minor-key melodies and lyrics that capture emotional cruxes that break through the monotony.

Moment in Time is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: NIA paints a portrait of inner turmoil in her downtempo alt-RnB single, Distant Colors

Posted on 14 December 2021

‘Distant Colors’ is the latest compassionately composed single from the New York-born, Philadelphia-based alt-RnB artist, and producer, NIA. Her signature spiritualism weaved its way into the downtempo release that explores inner turmoil for the emotionally attuned. For anyone who has ever cursed the depth of their emotional intellect, Distant Colors will act as an olive branch of empathy. As NIA’s light vocal timbre falls into the echoey and reverb-drenched shimmering guitars, the solid, steady drumbeats give the track enough structure while letting the ambience breathe through. The single was written, recorded and produced at NIA’s home studio; before being mixed and mastered by Tito Orjih at Oscar’s Greenhouse.

Here’s what NIA had to say about the release:

“My single, Distant Colors, expresses the raw emotion of being in tune with our inner struggles. Not only does this downtempo R&B tune tackle the feeling of isolation; it also represents the realness of the relationship that we have with ourselves.”

NIA started songwriting at an early age; on her journey to adulthood, she’s continued to hone in on her inexplicable talent that will instantly pique the interest of fans of Sade. Shortly after graduating from Shippensburg University, she established her record label, Chill Room Records and formed her band, The Chill Room Band. With new material in the pipeline, she’s definitely one to watch.

Distant Colors is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Holly Santonato – Wildfires featuring Mona: Empoweringly Affectionate RnB

Posted on 29 May 2021

Two RnB soul luminaries in their own right, Holly Santonato and Mona, teamed up for the collaborative single, ‘Wildfires’; a serious contender for the most stylish RnB track of the year.

The release flows with the change in the tide of contemporary RnB; between the affectionate and amorous tropes, you’ll get to explore the darker, far more insidious side to love. This multi-faceted track is steeped in enough realism that it will simultaneously remind you of the importance of knowing your worth and how sweet it can be to utterly surrender to another soul. It’s a stunning extension of the ‘playing with fire always leaves your fingers burned’ motif that perpetuates through contemporary culture.

With the distinctively soulful dual vocals pulling together to offer plenty of collaborative chemistry over melodic downtempo trap beats, it’s impossible not to fall into the serene and sultry atmosphere in Wildfires.

Whether they’re working together or solo, we hope to hear more from Holly and Mona in 2021 and beyond.

You can check it out for yourselves by heading over here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

RnB Soul Trailblazer Arijjazmine Has Dropped an Amorous Earworm on the Airwaves with “Apply the Pressure”

Posted on 16 July 2020
https://soundcloud.com/jazmine-barnhill/apply-the-pressure-arijjazmine

From the first verse in up and coming RnB Soul artist Arijjazmine’s latest single “Apply the Pressure”, the magnetic draw of her naturally inviting vocals pulls you into the smooth and amorous production which runs at an almost teasing pace.

With every progression, you’re eager to experience the next succinct evolution in the downtempo soundscape which almost shimmers with the warm and vibrant tones. Discernibly, Arijjazmine didn’t hold back when penning the lyrics to Apply the Pressure, there’s a rare depth to the lyricism which tackles the age-old frustration of wanting to know where you stand.

Not every artist succeeds in creating sentimental and sincere love songs, but perceptibly, Arijjazmine isn’t your average newcomer.

You can check out Arijjazmine’s single Apply the Pressure for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Joe James Lewis – Days on You: Indulgently Smooth, Hauntingly Emotive Indie RnB

Posted on 15 April 2020

Indie and RnB seamlessly converge in Joe James Lewis’ single “Days on You” which is just one of the indulgently smooth, hauntingly emotive Indie RnB singles which you will find on their latest EP.

While I never thought I’d hear a contemporary electronic RnB track which shares reminiscences with the likes of Tom Odell, Joe James Lewis’ single left me enamoured all the same. It’s an impossibly easy soundscape to slip into and soak up the undemanding yet powerfully resonant sentiment.

The London, UK-based artist will undoubtedly make plenty of waves with their softly sonorous, honest approach to songwriting. Days on You has already allowed them to establish themselves as a radio-ready artist, they’re definitely one to watch in 2020 and beyond.

You can check out Joe James Lewis’ single Days on You along with the rest of their EP for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jimi Amor – For You: Serenely Melodic Downtempo RnB

Posted on 24 March 2020

Up and coming RnB Soul artist Jimi Amor made his 2020 debut with the hypnotically smooth single “For You”. If you’re a sucker for serenely melodic downtempo RnB you may want to start preparing your vibe-out urban playlists for the sticky-sweet hit now.

With even more sensually appealing tracks to be released as part of their upcoming EP, the time to jump on their sound is now. While each of the tracks on their 3-track EP delivers the same mellifluous cathartic ambience, each soundscape contains a different mesmeric sentiment which will make your own soul feel recognised.

You can check out Jimi Amor’s debut single For You for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Keep up to date with future releases via Instagram and Twitter

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Danny Paul – On Sight featuring Brooke Taylor: Authentically Amorous RnB

Posted on 26 February 2020

While there were many romantically-rendered RnB singles which were released on Valentine’s Day, none quite resonated in the same sticky-sweet sentimental way as Danny Paul’s single “On Sight” featuring Brooke Taylor.

With lyrics which refreshingly cut to the point along with a familiar yet fresh flow, On Sight unravels as a radio-ready single with an authentically amorous feel. With Brooke Taylor’s powerfully nuanced vocals in the mix, there was an incredible amount of collaborative chemistry within On Sight.

Instrumentally, On Sight keeps the tones ethereally light and evocatively smooth so that ingesting the deftly orchestrated melodies is even easier. With their debut album “Edan in the Evening” due to drop in 2020, you may want to make space for this exceptional up and coming talent on your radar.

You can check out the official video to On Sight via YouTube, or you’ll be able to stream On Sight via all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast