Browsing Tag

neo-soul

Indigo Indiibabi lets her soul drive in her RnB single, Automatic

Posted on 20 January 2022

Up and coming RnB artist Indigo Indiibabi penned an old school serenade for her latest single, Automatic, which takes the unlikeliest romantic hallmark and allows it to become a vehicle for her affection for the person behind the wheel in their romance.

Old school and new school collide as the contemporary and atmospheric beats set a sultry atmosphere and Indigo Indiibabi’s gorgeously layered vocals bring the old school soul. Despite the mellow textures, there’s a panoramic feel to the dynamism that is laid out in this shamelessly impassioned release that wears its heart on its sleeve.

Check out Indigo Indiibabi’s latest single, Automatic, on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Daniela helps us take the weight of our post-truth reality with her latest smoky RnB Jazz single, Lies.

Posted on 20 January 2022

In a time when words are a means to an end, and the truth is an inconvenience, it feels even sweeter to have the up and coming London-based singer-songwriter Daniela on the airwaves with her latest single, Lies.

The Italian-born independent artist started her vocal training in Milan with the soprano icon, Annamaria Calciolari, before she gained a master’s degree at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

From the first mellifluous jazzy groove Lies affirms that every second dedicated to honing in on her craft was well invested. Lies is powerful enough to vindicate anyone dealing with the frustration following deception, soulful enough to console and debonair enough to let you taste the smoke in an old school jazz bar.

With her debut EP in the pipeline and due to drop in spring 2022, she is definitively one to watch.

Lies is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Love persists in Demi Jordanae’s RnB breakup track, Smell Like You

Posted on 20 January 2022

After starting her songwriter career at the age of 16, the up and coming RnB artist, Demi Jordanae, has well and truly come into her creative own; from DIY introvert to bold soul-singer, she’s found her distinctive voice and plenty of fans in the process.

Her latest stripped-back and serene track, Smell Like You, provides a mellow atmosphere to slip in while you drink in the confessionally expressive lyrics that explore the bitter emotions that transpire at the outset of a breakup and you’re struggling to come to terms or even imagine a post-relationship reality. Between the vulnerability, demure harmony and lyrical poetry, you just can’t help warm to Demi Jordanae’s vocal timbre. Save a space on your radar.

Smell Like You is now available on Spotify. Or, you catch the official lyric video via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

New York’s alt-soul pioneer Leifer lets the good vibes groove next to heartbreak in his funk-laced indie synthpop single, Vacancy

Posted on 2 January 2022

It was impossible to imagine room for improvement after hearing Leifer’s standout single, Say You’re Mine, in 2021. Yet, his latest release, Vacancy, which hit the airwaves on New Year’s Eve, even caught us broadsided by the way it pulls you down with mellow tones in the intro and brings you back up fast enough to give you whiplash.

Vacancy starts by teasing serenity in the easy, hazy guitar chords before bursting into a high-vibe alt-indie pop track, complete with euphoric synths, funk riding basslines and vocals that make an earworm out of the release.

Despite the vibrant energy, Vacancy forces you to reflect on the spaces that we leave other people’s lives, while the high-energy progressions ensure that you don’t get caught up in rumination. We can only hope that Leifer starts a trend with his meaningful approach to pop. If there’s one thing that this world needs more of, it is self-awareness, and Leifer’s emotionally intelligent lyrics offer the perfect mantras to follow.

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

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Just Like You: Ari Voxx wonders why they wouldn’t accept her on the beautiful ‘Brown Eyes’

Posted on 30 December 2021

Taken off her new 4-track EP called ‘Letters to Myself‘ that includes relevant topics all about self-identity, depression, growing up, letting go and holding on, Ari Voxx is at her most complete self with the reflective 2nd single ‘Brown Eyes‘.

Previously known for her lusciously beautiful jazz and enchanting neo-soul vocals, Ariana Harbin aka Ari Voxx is a jazzy dream-pop solo artist who bases herself in DC, USA.

”I know this song is long, and it doesn’t have the catchiest hook, but it’s the song I’m most proud of, and genuinely represents me as an artist.” ~ Ari Voxx

Performed with a dazzling array of authentic compositions that is entirely her, Ari Voxx shows us her wonderful skillset here with a track that shows us exactly who she is. After feeling like she was caught in two race-oriented worlds for too long, perhaps this is the mental breakthrough that brings her into a happier world where she is at ease no matter who is around.

‘Brown Eyes‘ from the DC-based indie dream-pop solo artist Ari Voxx, shows us an honest flashback to her life growing up as she tried to fit in. This is a brave young woman who just wants to be loved and feels the pain of what happened before, as she sings with such an exquisite manner that is so classy. No matter who brushed her aside due to the colour of her skin or how she acted due to her influences, this shows the bravery of someone that refuses to be put into any box. This is the sign of a true artist who makes that nostalgic kind of music that needs to be admired by anyone who has had struggles in life.

Hear this important new single on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The Clock Has Struck: Montreal’s Brianne Matthews knows that she deserves to be here on ‘Someday’

Posted on 21 December 2021

With her first release since the captivating 5 track EP ‘Metanoia‘ from earlier on in 2021, Brianne Matthews returns with a positive message that we all need to listen to on full volume with ‘Someday‘.

Brianne Matthews is a 22-year-old Montreal, Quebec-based indie solo singer-songwriter who blends in acoustic neo-soul and pop into her vocal love letters for us to open up and enjoy.

”Brianne has written songs since her school days and she has become ever more adept as a lyricist and, wearing her heart on her sleeve, she believes that determination and the drive she possesses will help her demonstrate that nothing is impossible.” ~ Brianne Matthews

As she ushers us into a better world filled with possibilities as a true superhero would, Brianne Matthews might be your new favourite singer-songwriter. She is a truly extraordinary vocal talent who also pens such sweetly-penned lyrics, that has you feeling like this is your year to shine.

‘Someday‘ from the Montreal, Quebec-based indie neo-soul/pop singer-songwriter Brianne Matthews, is such a peacefully created piece of art from such a calming influence. She reminds us that we need to trust the process that we have strategized and never forget to believe in the universe, as things will fall into place if we believe enough. Wise words indeed, from a young artist who is an old soul and sings with such incredible spirit.

Hear this comforting new single on Spotify and see more news on her IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Spotlight Feature: Sam Handy is ‘Done’ in his soul-fix of a pop hit

Posted on 18 December 2021

Reading UK-based solo artist, Sam Handy, has been lauded by Jeff Beck, the BBC and everyone lucky enough to catch his soul-spilling sound live. After his latest single, Done, he’s set to take his career to even greater heights – the world can’t sleep on this.

Like all of Sam Handy’s recent releases, Done was produced by Ed Stokes. Discernibly, Stokes shares Handy’s passion in keeping the focus on stellar songwriting and instrumental ability; instead of over-producing the raw elements out of the track.

With the funk of Nile Rogers in the light instrumental hooks, the raspy, harmonic neo-soul vocals that carry reminiscences to D’Angelo and the sniping lyricism, Done becomes so much more than a sum of its parts. The single that explores toxic relationships is an intoxicatingly all-consuming track that allows the instrumentals to bring the warm catharsis while the lyrics prove that soul and resilience go hand in hand. In an emboldening way, Done reminds you that everyone deserves a backbone. We can’t wait to hear what follows.

Done is now available to stream on Spotify. To keep up to date with new releases, follow Sam Handy on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Maple Sky – Free Her

Posted on 15 December 2021

Jazz, pop and RnB fusionists Maple Sky released their most seminal single to date with ‘Free Her’, which allows anyone in the process of walking away from a toxic relationship to see the light.

It was a bold theme for the ensemble to tackle. Considering that they did it with so much soul-laden compassion, they hit the evocative mark with the track that allows the intricate orchestration to explore the bright path that opens up when shackles of insidious affection are shaken off.

The smooth melodies, authentically airy vocals and wisdom so poignant it’s evident that it was hard fought for pull together to prove that the world isn’t as loveless as narcissists make you feel it is. By all accounts, it’s a stunning track. We can’t wait to hear where the UK-based ensemble take their fusion sound next.

Free Her is 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

Alex Tea takes us ‘Away’ with the gravitas in his latest kaleidoscopically blissful release

Posted on 13 December 2021

After spending two decades learning how to melodically speak to rhythmic pulses, the New Jersey-based composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Alex Tea, has done more than hone in on his sound. Based on his latest artfully soulful, colourfully scored single, Away, he’s reached a new production plateau. To say that it is on the same level as Lou Reed’s iconic single, Perfect Day, wouldn’t be a stretch. It is the perfect amalgamation of vibrancy, emotional candour and hazy catharsis.

The intrinsic timelessness becomes paradoxical through the fresh feel of Alex Tea’s composition and production style. It scarcely comes as a surprise that he’s had his part to play in a significant number of collaborations and has worked with some of the most revered producers, including Pat Van Dyke and Victor Rice.

Each new release is a brand-new tonal palette; Alex Tea has an ever-intriguing tendency to experiment with his affinities for roots reggae, electro-pop, soul, folk and funk. You’ll hear nuances of them all in this kaleidoscopically blissful single.

Away is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast