Browsing Tag

NeoSoul

Ashley James takes us back to the 70s with their Pop ballad “Take Your Time”

Posted on 6 November 2020
Ashley James

Ashley James may not be a well-known name (yet), but any fans of 00’s Indie Rock should be familiar with their previous outfit Likely Lads who received rapturous acclaim for their brutally honest lyrical style.

Now, Ashley James has gone solo, and we’re seeing a more soulful side to the artist’s multifaceted talents. With a touch of aural nostalgia and lashings of laceratingly raw emotion, their debut single “Take Your Time” was born.

The 70s-inspired Pop ballad is sure to be a hit with any fans of Rod Stewart and Elton John or any Pop fans who are looking to lock into sincerity, pitch-perfect harmony, and melodic alchemy.

You can check out the official video to  Take Your Time via Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sedgeley lays down danceable grooves in their latest soul-soaked Pop hit “Dance with Your Lover”

Posted on 22 October 2020

Dancefloors across the globe may remain desolate, but that hasn’t stopped artists such as Sedgeley from producing seductively sweet tracks. Their latest release “Dance with Your Lover” is the amorous escapism that the airwaves have been crying out for.

There’s a beguilingly nostalgic air behind the track which contains plenty of appeal for fans of artists such as Seal, and aural nostalgia is more important now more than ever. It draws us back to a time where our lives weren’t quite so consumed with chaos and uncertainty. The sentimental air to Dance with Your Lover is consuming from the first verse. When the vocal sincerity hits, expect your soul to melt into the organic rhythmic alchemy of this stunningly produced release.

There’s plenty more in the pipeline from the London-based artist in 2020 and beyond. Save a spot on your radar.

You can check out the danceable grooves in Dance with Your Lover by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Funk and Jazz meet Folk Pop in Annabel Hailey’s latest single “Love is Like a Breeze”

Posted on 9 October 2020
Annabel Hailey

With her upcoming single “Love is Like a Breeze”, Annabel Hailey proves that Funk has a place in Acoustic Folk Pop. Their romantic, urgent, melodically intoxicating approach to songwriting incorporates elements of old school yet, it’s more than fitting for 21st-century airwaves. Love is Like a Breeze is enough to make Ed Sheeran’s back catalogue sound banal.

The slightly baroque and cabaret touch to the classic Pop vocals allowed Annabel Hailey to smother the track with her magnetic yet undemanding playfully sultry vocals. With nuances of Jazz and Neo-Soul weaved into the organically enrapturing soundscape, every second of the 3:40-duration will leave you gratified for finding this truly exceptional artist.

You can check out Annabel Hailey’s single from October 23rd on all major platforms including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alexandra Ayoob – Something’s Missing: Soulfully Sensual Alt Pop

Posted on 13 September 2020
Alexandra Ayoob

Rising Indie Pop act Alexandra Ayoob has unleashed an alluring earworm onto the airwaves with her darkly atmospheric debut hit “Something’s Missing”.

If you could imagine what a Hozier, Bjork and Billie Eilish mash-up would sound like, you’ll have a good idea of the kind of aural alchemy which Something’s Missing will throw your way.

Similarities aside, the almost overwhelmingly resounding distinction found in Something’s Missing. Through the style, performance and passion, Alexandra Ayoob set herself from any other artist around in 2020. She’s definitely one for the radar, no other artist parallels her ability to ooze sensuality and soul simultaneously.

Something’s Missing is due for release on October 3rd. You can pre-save or pre-purchase the track via this link.

Keep up to date with news of the release via Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kwonrad – Vanilla & Honey: A Dreamy Melodious Debut from a Trailblazing US Duo

Posted on 2 September 2020

Tracks such as the debut single from San Francisco-based artist Kwonrad remind you just how powerful dreamy melodious music can be.

“Vanilla & Honey” feels like an act of pure indulgence when you hit play. The immersive gravity starts with delicately light and warmly textured notes which trickle under Hunter Conrad’s soul-soothing vocals. The accordance carved on the guitar is equally as hypnotic. Finishing off the soundscape is the rhythmically intoxicating prowess of Alec Kwo (keyboards, synths, bass, engineering).

Any fans of improvisation offering artists such as Hiatus Kaiyote, Stevie Wonder, and Vulfpeck will definitely want to hit play and drink in the delectable infusion of Soul, Jazz, Indie, Rock and Folk.

You can check out Kwonrad’s single Vanilla & Honey for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Let soulful catharsis wash over you with Sister Echo’s latest single “Tokyo Konveni”

Posted on 1 September 2020

Tokyo Konveni is the artfully enticing latest release from breaking Alternative artist Sister Echo. If you could imagine what an Amy Winehouse/Kate Bush/Interpol mash-up would sound like, you’ll get a good idea what this utterly mesmeric single has to offer.

Everything about the soundscape is simply captivating. From the tentatively tender pace to the soul which is projected into the pitch-perfect extended Neo-Soul vocal notes to the imagery within the lyrics. You can expect your consciousness to be consumed and catharsis to wash over you from the moment you hit play.

With an EP due to drop later this year, Sister Echo is well worth putting on your radar.

Tokyo Konveni is available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Omari lays down the easy melodic grooves in her debut single “Gameboy”

Posted on 28 August 2020

Many RnB artists like to play it safe with their lyricism and end up saying what has been said a thousand times before. Refreshingly, Melbourne artist Omari poured plenty of bold sentiments on the airwaves with her debut single “Gameboy”.

The Indie RnB Pop single has an engaging narrative lyrical style through which Omari assassinates the character of the unworthy waster which inspired Gameboy. Hearing the realisation of Omari’s self-worth in the single which packs in sublimely melodic grooves becomes an empowering aural experience. I can only imagine what it felt like to write it.

Even though you’ll hear plenty of the roots of Soul and RnB within Gameboy, there’s no understating the fresh evocative appeal behind the production. Despite the RnB vibe, it’s safe to say fans of Kate Nash and Florence and the Machine will quickly become enamoured by Omari’s stunning beyond definition vocals.

You can check out Omari’s debut for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

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

Jesenia – Made It: Feisty Fresh RnB

Posted on 28 August 2020
https://soundcloud.com/jesenia4eva/made-it-prod-cuschicooks

Up and coming artist Jesenia has proven just how much feisty attitude can be thrown into RnB with her latest single Made It.

There’s nothing quite like succeeding despite the lack of faith from other people. With Made It, Jesenia perfectly captures that gratifying feeling of being able to say “Bitch I made it”.

Producer Harry Cuschieri AKA cuschicooks ensured that the smooth RnB Trap beats matched Jesenia’s fresh and strong approach to the genre. The soundscape may take some unconventional instrumental turns. But the exhibition of ingenuity will leave you transfixed by the track which drips with style, empowering conviction and magnetic energy which you’d be hard-pressed to find another track offering. Get her on your radar.

You can check out Jesenia’s single Made It for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

RnB artist Aliza Li takes us right back to the Old School with “7th Grade Complex”

Posted on 27 August 2020

Aliza Li has breezed onto the airwaves with her fresh new NeoSoul drop 7th Grade Complex featuring Dessy. Some people may leave high school behind, but the mentality is too hard for some to shake. Aliza Li’s new track perfectly captures the frustration which manifests when dealing with a lack of maturity.

Aliza Li’s soulfully sumptuous stripped-back feat of NeoSoul offers warm glistering tones, blissfully resolving vocals and a compelling lyrical narrative which will keep you hooked from the first verse right up to the last. Dessy’s vocals perfectly round off the track, adding a little vocal bite to the smooth accordance which Aliza Li easily delivers with her notable talent.

You can check out 7th Grade Complex for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast