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Frank Ocean

Trevon Lorenz – 7 Cities: A New Vanguard in RnB

Posted on 7 September 2024

Trevon Lorenz’s latest single, 7 Cities, revolutionises the RnB and hip-hop intersection with its sophisticated synthesis of soulful melodies and sharp hip-hop beats.

As the track unfolds, Lorenz lays down a dreamy, reverb-heavy soundscape that swells with lush, airy harmonies, showcasing his capability to blend genres with authority. It’s more than a stellar track, it’s a sign we’re arriving at a new epoch of genre fusion where the intensity of hip-hop can live harmoniously with the smooth soul of modern RnB.

7 Cities defies expectations within its brief runtime, especially with a middle eight that introduces an innovative twist, demonstrating Lorenz’s creative acumen. The track concludes with a flair of semi-lucid innovation, reminiscent of a distorted tape winding down, leaving listeners in a reflective trance.

Inspired by a diverse range of icons, from the fashion genius of Virgil Abloh and Yohji Yamamoto to musical pioneers like Kanye West and Pharrell Williams, Lorenz’s music is a testament to his dedication to pushing sonic boundaries.

7 Cities will hit the airwaves on September 27; pre-save the single on Spotify & Apple Music via this link.

Follow Trevon Lorenz on Instagram to stay up to date with future releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: ELZON broadened the alt-RnB hip-hop horizon with his psychedelic trip of a hit, ‘expensive dreams’

Posted on 4 June 2024

ELZON redefined the boundaries of alt-RnB and hip-hop with his latest single, expensive dreams. The London-based artist, known for his rich cultural background and boundary-pushing music, delivered a scintillatingly serene installation of hypnotic innovation which begins with a visionary overture that lures listeners into transcendence, where dreamy 8-bit tones meld seamlessly with cloud rap influences.

The track is a kaleidoscope of cultivation, opening a portal to unrestrained artistic expression. As the song progresses, it builds towards a mesmerising mid-section, characterised by ethereal falsettos reminiscent of The Weeknd’s early work. This shift in tone, akin to a record player hitting play on a fresh LP, elevates the track into a crescendo that injects subtle intensity and speaks of ELZON’s status as a revered pioneer who is well on his way to becoming a viral sensation.

Produced between London and Manchester, with the signature touches of Elliot Taylor and Blamebrazy, expensive dreams is a testament to ELZON’s relentless pursuit of pushing leftfield sounds into the mainstream.

ELZON describes the track as a “psychedelically experimental rap/RnB track inspired by Frank Ocean and Lucki, featuring cloud rap-influenced instrumentals and Blond-esque pitched vocals”. This fusion creates a lush soundscape of surreal serenity that speaks to the senses louder with every listen.

ELZON’s journey from his early days making music in his bedroom to collaborating with Grammy-nominated producers attests to his talent and dedication, which the airwaves will see more of later this year when he unleashes his art PUNK mixtape.

Stream expensive dreams on Spotify, and follow ELZON on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ethan Martin created an open line of communication with passion in his latest dreamy RnB single, Okay, Love

Posted on 26 January 2024

Ethan Martin’s latest single, ‘Okay, Love’, is a soulfully realistic exploration of love’s complexities. This Las Vegas-based R&B artist, reminiscent of Daniel Caesar and Frank Ocean, delved into the intricate emotions of love, fear, and vulnerability in a way that deeply resonates.

The track is a masterful blend of soothing vocals and stirringly ethereal instrumentals, showcasing Martin’s skill in self-producing, mixing, and mastering his work. His unique style draws you into a world where love’s idyllic image is gently unravelled to reveal its more profound, often challenging reality.

‘Okay, Love’ navigates the nuanced terrains of the heart with a rare authenticity. The bassline pulsates through the song, setting a rhythm that complements the dual vocals. These elements together create a dynamic soundscape that reflects the song’s thematic exploration of love’s dual nature – its joys and fears, its light and shadows.

Martin’s lyrical ability is a highlight of the track as he speaks to those who feel the scars of previous relationships, are haunted by their anxious attachments, or simply feel the dread of loss when falling into the arms of another.

As Ethan Martin continues to attract a dedicated fanbase, ‘Okay, Love’ stands as a powerful example of his artistry. For those yet to discover his music, ‘Okay, Love’ is the perfect introduction to Ethan Martin’s world – a world where the soul’s deepest echoes are beautifully brought to life.

Okay, Love will drop on January 26. Stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nick O charted new horizons with his debut rap track, Be There for Me

Posted on 27 December 2023

Nick O, Surrey’s latest hip hop sensation, has unleashed a musical tour de force with his debut single, Be There for Me. The vibrant tapestry of sound, woven with the lyrical dexterity reminiscent of George the Poet and infused with a soulful essence, beats to the pulse of East Coast hip-hop while asserting Nick O as an orchestrator of originality.

From the first beat, the track sinks the listener into a blend of modern storytelling and nostalgic 90’s soul. Nick O’s influences, ranging from the lyrical genius of Kanye West and Andre 3000 to the emotive melodies of Frank Ocean and Sampha, are intricately interlaced. His rhythmically flawless canter dances over the beats, painting vivid pictures of his inner world – a world filled with contrasts, from the peaks of joy to the valleys of introspection.

The ethereal female backing vocals in the track create a hypnotic juxtaposition, a delicate balance that complements Nick O’s robust and confident delivery. This unique combination sets Be There for Me apart, making it one of the most compelling hip-hop debuts of 2023. As we look towards 2024, it’s clear that Nick O is not just a rising star – he’s a force poised to take dominion over the UK hip-hop industry.

Stream Be There for Me on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Can’t Promise You That: Alex Omen regrets that he couldn’t be the one on Let You Down

Posted on 25 March 2023

Feeling so much sadness and massive regret for something mentally deep that had to end, Alex Omen tells us about a sad story that millions will relate to in this romantically strained world, Let You Down.

Alex Omen is an alternative RnB and hip-hop artist who brings so much true love and care into each one of his carefully layered tracks.

”Blurring the line between modern hip-hop and soothing R&B, his songs are uplifting with a sense of melancholy. Omen names The Weeknd, Travis Scott and Frank Ocean as his major influences.” ~ Alex Omen

Spectacular in nature and sending our spirits into a rather revealing universe, Alex Omen has projected an enlightening story in the best possible fashion. Gosh, the vocals are rather dreamy here. Each note is crisp and rather special, on a planet where true romance is so rare to find.

Let You Down from alternative RnB and hip-hop artist Alex Omen sends us all into a harrowing former love picture which has sadly cracked through the sands of time. Taking us into a movie-like story and sending us shivers of details which will flood many memories like a blocked drain, to wash our tears and show us what it feels like when two hearts are shattered.

Hear this fine new single on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The RnB-inclined fusionist, KaEl has released his alchemically intimate single, LondonTowne

Posted on 24 April 2022

‘LondonTowne’ is the standout seminal release from the RnB-inclined genre alchemist, KaEl. At the start of his career, the Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter committed to expressing his life, epiphanies, and afflictions through his music; he definitely came through in LondonTowne.

The low honeyed bass guitar and soft bluesy electric guitars create a stunning dynamic to the instrumentals that mellifluously flow under KaEl’s passionately demure classic-style RnB vocals. Any fans of Prince, Frank Ocean, Ye and Tyler, The Creator won’t want to miss out on this euphonically unforgettable release.

The official music video for LondonTowne is available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Saint Germain delivers kaleidoscopic quiescence in his reflective ambient alt-indie release, ONUS

Posted on 22 February 2022

The up and coming artist, Saint Germain, proved that he’s the Chris Isaak of this generation with his gently innovative latest release, ONUS. The 21-year-old self-taught artist has been working on his ambient sonic style since 2008. There are still hints of his influences’ style in the soundscapes. Yet, instead of becoming yet another Bon Iver or Frank Ocean assimilator, he’s carved his own intricately intimate path, and ONUS unfolds as an absorbing milestone in his career.

The colourfully trippy melodies paired with the Canadian’s quiescent vocals that sit between etherealism and warm soul ensure that even after the mellow-yet-haunting-all-the-same single comes to an accordant end, it will stay with you for long after.

ONUS was written at 3 AM during a spate of situational insomnia. You can practically hear the nodes of delirium in the meditative production that was crafted as a reflection to the feeling detachedly adrift. There are as many questions in the lyrics as there are answers – making it feel so much more human than your average release. There’s nothing more humbling than soul-deep confusion, which goes a fair way in explaining why, despite its soft layers, ONUS hits bruisingly hard.

You can check out the official lyric video to ONUS by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sellah reworked Frank Ocean’s ‘Thinkin Bout You’ in his latest release.

Posted on 24 June 2021

For his latest single, the international artist Sellah (Whitney-Michael McCloud) reworked Frank Ocean’s iconic single, Thinkin Bout You; he well and truly made the soundscape his own while still keeping the soulfully alchemic appeal of the original burning right through the release.

With the darker and more reverberant beats paired with Sellah’s stunning vocal range and the sweet sentimentality that he brings to the single through his deep emotional connection to it, it’s impossible not to be drawn in.

The artist, brand manager and editor-in-chief for IMMO magazine has set his sights on becoming a household name. After hearing his Thinkin Bout You cover, it is safe to say that he is on the right trajectory.

The seriously stylistic official video that premiered on YouTube on June 11th has already amassed over 14,000 streams. Check it out for yourselves here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

MiLES. serves sun-kissed soul in his genre-bending single, ‘Wherever it Is’.

Posted on 27 May 2021

MiLES.’ latest genre-bending single, Wherever it Is, dug its heels right into the roots of soul, borrowed a few surf rock tones and revived timeless, dreamy, jazzy-sun-kissed melodies on synths, guitars and drums.

To say that the single is just as experimental as Mr Bungle’s album, California, wouldn’t be a stretch but the straight from the soul crooning on offer here will undoubtedly be a hit with any fans of Frank Ocean, Tyler, the Creator and Steve Lacy.

Making this single infinitely more impressive, the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer only picked up a guitar for the first time in August 2020; the distinction in the mellifluous progressions may try to convince you otherwise.

MiLES.’ latest single is due for release on May 28th; you can hear it for yourselves here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Josh Sky have us in a ‘Love Daze’ with their latest indie soul pop single

Posted on 18 March 2021

Under the influence of Frank Ocean, Boy Pablo, and Tame Impala, up and coming indie three-piece, Josh Sky orchestrated their own melodiously romantic signature sound that is just as prestigious.

Their latest single, ‘Love Daze’, is the perfect introduction to their genre-melding nostalgic sound. The mellow grooves make sure that your attention never falters from the affable sincerity as it drips from the vocals while they capture the anxiety and adrenaline which manifest when you start to feel rifts widen in a relationship.

Love Days is as stunning as it is smooth. If any up and coming artist has what it takes to ascend from the underground in 2021, it’s Josh Sky.

Love Daze is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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