Browsing Tag

Indie RnB

The Proto-Funk Pioneers, The Yowies, have officially arrived with their decadently disco debut single, Real Time

Posted on 10 October 2024

There’s no putting the mythologically monikered proto-funk renegades, The Yowies, back in their cage after they unveiled their debut single, Real Time. The decadent disco track pours an alchemic cocktail of indie-licked RnB, funk, jazz and soul, stirred by razor-sharp songwriting chops that cut straight through the static of the contemporary music scene.

The tonal sublimity of the seductively smooth single rivals the kaleidoscopic luminosity of a disco ball as The Yowies groove across their foundational influences, which pit the timeless soul of Winehouse against the guitar licks of Nile Rodgers and the spacey transcendence of Bowie in his Young Americans era.

With jazz nuances as a smoke machine, there are few sonic signatures as slick as what is exhibited in The Yowies’ debut release which makes it impossible not to get into the fiery smooth groove. Every replay reveals a new level of their creative genius, solidifying them as a band at the forefront of proto-funk revivalism

Real Time was officially released on September 29; stream the single on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

PASHA is en-route to RnB royalty with her latest single, Paper Route

Posted on 29 September 2024

‘Paper Route’ by PASHA reaches the epitome of RnB sublimity, marking her as a distinct force in the genre. Far from being a mere fusionist, PASHA is an alchemist of sensual soul, using hypnotic house beats as the conduit for her seraphic sonic sensuality.

The smooth production of the track is as timeless as it is tantalising, with its syncopated trip-hop-esque beats blending seamlessly with evocative piano keys, creating one of the most comforting and mesmerising dynamics in contemporary RnB.

As her vocals transcend traditional harmonics, they venture into a plateau of soulfully arcane reverie, showcasing an ethereal and evocatively resonant vocal range. It’s this rare combination of elements that positions PASHA as a potential new icon in the music industry. If there’s any artist powerful enough to rival the originality of The Weeknd, it’s her.

PASHA’s journey began in Queens, though her sound is a testament to her upbringing between East Atlanta and Haiti. Her musical roots were nurtured by the diverse artistic influences around her, leading her to pick up the classical guitar at just ten years old. Since her debut in January 2024, she has ensnared audiences with a string of bittersweet singles that explore the nuances of young womanhood, love, and self-reflection.

Paper Route was officially released on September 27; stream the single on YouTube and Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Addenium synthesised the intimate heat of ‘Summer Nights’ in her futuristically finessed debut single ft Rowa

Posted on 12 August 2024

Addenium has officially arrived with her debut single, Summer Nights, created in collaboration with Rowa, to prove how far you can push the boundaries of RnB while never losing grip of its soul essence.

The vibe-heavy indietronica edge oscillates through the influence of icons in the vein of Flume, FKJ, and Masego. Yet, Addenium conjured a sonic vision that could only have been rendered by her tender volition.

This track invites you to experience the heat and intimacy of its thematic nature, perfectly accentuated by hints of stylishly executed indie elements. The expressively artistic motifs gave Addenium a significant advantage as she charts her career to the top of the charts as a curator of vibes and an innovator of sound. The trip-hop textures within the release amplify the mysticism, while the seraphic vocal layers ensure that soul envelops the track, casting an addictively scintillating aura.

Lyrically, the song reflects on the finite nature of summer situationships, yet the release pulsates with an enlightened undercurrent, which alludes to the sanctity of knowing there is always something greater to gravitate around, as it ripples through the polished production.

Summer Nights was officially released on August 2nd; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: The LA Prog RnB supercluster of creatives, No False Ego, is all about the vibes in their authenticity-advocating debut single, We Are the Soul

Posted on 7 August 2024

In their debut single, We Are the Soul, LA’s Prog RnB collective No False Ego introduces themselves with a resonant proclamation of authenticity, amplified through an exploratively diverse sonic expanse. The blend of jazzy saxophones, indie guitar licks, and fluid genre transitions are undeniable attestations to how No False Ego is leading by example with their unique vision.

Fronted by the ethereal vocals of Kassandra, the track weaves through groove pockets of dreamy reverie, underpinned by a rich tapestry of sounds that reflect the band’s ethos of genuine self-expression. The production, crafted in the Big Bad Band Studios and finely tuned by Camilo Cedeno and Ronnie Silos, underscores a polished, heartfelt debut that promises so much for the future of the collective.

With a backbone of seasoned musicians including Steve Murillo on sax and keys, Carter on bass, Corey Scimenes on guitar, and Roach on drums, No False Ego is a veritable supercluster of creative minds with a clear message everyone should heed: embrace your authentic self, ditch the façade, and revel in the power of unfeigned originality.

As they prepare to broaden their horizons beyond the LA scene with upcoming releases, including the anticipated single Sunshine and a forthcoming EP, No False Ego is poised to uplift and empower a wider audience with their heartfelt vibrations and innovative sonic signature.

Stream We Are the Soul on Spotify now.

Stay up to date with news of the sophomore release by following No False Ego on Instagram and TikTok.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Indie synths drive the soul in ‘Our Story’, the latest chapter in the organically originated artistry of iinz

Posted on 19 July 2024

‘Our Story’ is yet another chapter in the organically originated chronicle of the Alt-RnB trailblazer, iinz. With an innate ability to traverse the lesser-explored corners of RnB and the human experience alike, iinz introduces a fresh, experimental approach to her euphoniously stylised narratives.

Born from a visceral moment of heartbreak, Our Story is a profoundly personal vignette which epitomises the authentic and introspective essence of the independent artist. The single touches on how even if you share the most intimate parts of yourself, that doesn’t guarantee that you’ll share the same reality.

The loungey, pseudo-jazzy rhythms interspersed with indie synthwave touches create a lush, immersive soundscape which testifies to the nuanced sophistication within the artistry of iinz. Her collaboration with producer Taiina elevated the sonic complexity and evocative resonance to the nth degree.

With iinz on your playlists, you’re never short of a refuge of solace and understanding. The LA-hailing Israeli-American soulstress’ ability to find the alchemic intersections between old-school soul and alt-pop is beyond compare. Yet, there’s an aching sense that when it comes to iinz, expression will always be prioritised over competition.

Our Story will be officially released on July 19; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chicago soul conduit, JOSÉ, reflected the beauty of human connection in his latest single, This Is

Posted on 18 July 2024

For his latest single, This Is, the soul conduit, JOSÉ, collaborated with guitarist Tim Wu, to deliver his most sublime slice of euphony to date.

With Tim Wu’s melodious guitar lines grooving through the smooth minimalist production, oscillating between staccato chops and intricate lead work, the instrumentals soothe the senses as JOSÉ’ dreamy diaphanous harmonies send sparks of affection through the release which tenderly meditates on a love so pure that it tears at the soul to even think about letting it go.

The Chicago-born-and-raised singer-songwriter and producer who made his debut earlier this year is clearly well on his way to carving out a legacy for himself with his uniquely mellow singles which allow affectionate introspection to evolve into universally resonant reflections of the beauty of human connection.

This Is was officially released on July 12th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ride the waves of neo-soul transcendence in Livvy Clarke’s artfully arcane release, Love Letter

Posted on 16 May 2024
Livvy Clarke

What Radiohead is to art rock, Livvy Clarke is to neo-soul; the dreamy zeal within the artfully composed complex time signatures in her latest single, Love Letter, allows the release to defy gravity as it transcends through installations of endlessly ascending cultivation, guided by her arcane vocal range.

With this single, the singer-songwriter who has been likened to her heroines, Angie Stone, India Arie and Tracy Chapman, proved that the most powerful love letter you can ever write is a love letter to yourself after overcoming adversity with enough gratitude and tenacity that you can celebrate still being here.

Love Letter is by no means an affecting exception. Livvy Clarke’s evocative repertoire cages swathes of singles which evoke emotion and bare her soul. By always using personal events as thematic underpinnings in her releases, authenticity and sincerity are always guaranteed.

Her sophomore single, Enough, covered the tragedy of saying goodbye to her mother; watching her daughter become disabled to the point of nearly saying another heart-wrenching goodbye convinced Livvy Clarke of the necessity of writing for catharsis.

Her latest single, co-written with renowned songwriter, arranger and producer, Julian Hinton, (Stormzy, Seal, Rod Stewart) captures Clarke in her free spirit era, unshackled by the weight of monumental grief and strife; it is a testament to the fortitude of the human spirit which lies within us all.

Love Letter will be available to stream on all major platforms from May 16th.

Find your preferred way to listen on Livvy Clarke’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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

Parker Kay – The Grey: a refreshingly intimate RnB exposition of affection in the age of the iPhone

Posted on 29 February 2024

If artists got to the top of the charts based on the relatability of their lyrics alone, Vancouver’s Parker Kay’s latest single, The Grey, would have shot right to the top of the RnB charts. In a genre that gives Hollywood a run for its money when it comes to setting unrealistic expectations, this definitively modern love story is a refreshingly intimate exposition of affection in the age of the iPhone and awareness of idiosyncratic attachment styles.

Starting with a confession of how he pretends not to light up just as much as his screen when seeing a message and bides his time to give the illusion he’s busy, you can’t help but lyrically lock into the hit as the indie RnB grooves pop in the instrumental arrangement.

The single only becomes more addictive from there on out as Parker Kay bares his romantic scars over the synthesis of electronic synthetics, trap beats, pop hooks, RnB melodies, and soulfully magnetic vocal lines that keep an even-keel while the lyricism drifts from the ache of agony to the dream-like state of infatuation.

The Grey has a fair way to go before it racks up as many streams as Parker Kay’s viral hit, sorry, I like you too, which was created in collaboration with Burbank and garnered over 5 million streams on Spotify alone, but it is more than worthy.

The Grey was officially released on January 26th. Stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast