Browsing Tag

soul

Jimmy G. $hi takes it slow in his RnB single, Drown Tonight

Posted on 30 July 2022

Give your RnB playlists a fresh soul fix by introducing it to the lead single, Drown Tonight, from Jimmy G. $hi’s 2022 album, P.T.H.B.

After warm saturated tones have eased you into the smooth contemporary track that unfurls around hip hop percussion and spacey electronica synthetics, Jimmy G. $hi goes in heavy with the sultry romanticism. The affectionately demure energy resonates through the lyrics as much as the steady vocals that affirm the message of the single; pace is the trick.

With the stellar production, the mellifluous soul that spills from the vocals and the evocative heights that Drown Tonight takes you to, the up-and-coming artist can definitively be seen as a triple threat.

The official music video for Drown Tonight was released on July 22nd. Check it out for yourselves via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

LUCID LIP soulfully speak on disillusion in their alt-rock single, Who Would Notice?

Posted on 30 July 2022
LUCID LIP

New York’s smoothest and synth-heavy alt-rock outfit, LUCID LIP, has unveiled their latest heartbreakingly smoky single, Who Would Notice? which taps into the same sense of disillusioned isolation that everyone with any degree of self-awareness has battled with lately.

The lyric, “What the hell does anyone want anyway?”, efficaciously captures the frustration of the irrationality of most of the people you encounter. While “I’m not here to sell my soul, but who would notice?” pulls you into the darkened ennui of depression’s grips. Metaphorically, of course.

Far more remarkably, nothing about the single resonates as self-piteous; there’s a comforting sense that the candour was used as a means of solidarity with the listener.

Who Would Notice? left the same evocative imprint as Incubus did on me back in my slightly less jaded teen years, with a touch of Faith No More’s The Real Thing (I don’t make Mike Patton references lightly).

Who Would Notice? will officially release on July 29th. Check it out on all major streaming platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gemïny has unveiled his electrifying soul-pop reflection on destruction, ‘Hesitation’

Posted on 27 July 2022

Stoking the soul-pop fire that he started with his debut and sophomore single, the Columbia, US-hailing artist, Gemïny, has added even more fuel through his third single, Hesitation.

Around the snapping beats, the kaleidoscopic glow of the delayed guitars, and funk basslines that amplify the amorous energy, Gemïny’s soulfully forceful vocals drive the single forward through its myriad of expressive progressions.

Lyrically, Gemïny spoke to everyone who knows how it feels to lose composure and descend to the depths of destruction in affection-inspired mania, which proves that love & lust are some of the most powerful drugs of all.

After racking up over 50k streams on SoundCloud with his sophomore single, Too Close, there is seemingly little in the way of Gemïny’s ascent to soul-pop fame.

Here is what Gemïny had to say on his third single:

After the heavier content in my previous two releases, with Hesitation, I used a lighter narrative while addressing the story at hand. It speaks to everyone that has done crazy things for a crush (if you haven’t, please keep it to yourself, the thought helps me sleep at night).

It draws from when I uncharacteristically got into a fight at a house party over a girl. I’m extremely prideful, but there I was, a 12-shots-in freshman, breaking walls and smashing tables. A bad look overall, but it encapsulates the essence of hesitation. The juvenile way you impress a crush in grade school; that conflicting mix of excitement and fear that reeks of teen spirit.

Hesitation will release across all major streaming platforms, including SoundCloud and Spotify on July 27th.

Follow Gemïny on Facebook and TikTok.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

J. Jeaux exhibits blissful command over rhythm in his RnB debut, More Than Enough

Posted on 23 July 2022

Taking a brief reprieve from composing for video games and media, the singer-songwriter multi-instrumentalist J. Jeaux released his debut single, More Than Enough, in June 2022.

Exhibiting his world-building melodies, sweetened R&B vocal lines and songwriting tenacity, More Than Enough rewrites the R&B rules through the warm analogue atmosphere & cuttingly contemporary resonance.

Few breaking artists excel in bringing RnB into this era without assimilation, but the Mexico City-based artist is so much more than your average Frank Ocean carbon copy with his blissful command over rhythm. Even with the tinges of sorrowful sentimentality, More Than Enough is a touch of serenity in our chaos-encompassing times.

More Than Enough is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sharon Watkins helps us unleash that crushing frustration away forever with her 2nd single ‘Stranded’

Posted on 16 July 2022

After feeling the wrath of a horrifying pandemic, that almost tore her soul into pieces, Sharon Watkins shows us courageously inside the ultimate comeback story from health issues, breakups and redundancy that she refused to let dampen her illuminating vitality with ‘Stranded’.

Sharon Watkins is a UK-based indie soul singer-songwriter who performs from the heart and has created something truly special for us all to vibe with here.

”Having grown up surrounded by the Manchester music scene, Sharon Watkins has been writing and performing her whole life. However, after an unexpected break in her 20-year global marketing career, she found the time to commit to her music and record an album with her musician brother, Sammy J Stopford.” ~ Sharon Watkins

Utterly scintillating with her gorgeous vocals and bringing a foot-tapping groove that has been lacking in the world recently, Sharon Watkins is the leader we needed in challenging times and displays a stunning aura you can’t help but treasure.

“Expresses all the pent-up energy you have when you’ve been cooped up and need to get out and party, whether it’s after lockdown or just after a hard week.” ~ Sharon Watkins

‘Stranded‘ from UK-based indie soul singer-songwriter Sharon Watkins is a supremely captivating single and is one of the most joyous releases you are likely to hear this year. Showing us it’s indeed possible to find your passion again and break through any trauma that could destroy you, this is an absolute anthem that is sung with such class.

When you need to break free from things you can’t control, music is always the answer to all problems.

Listen up to this fine single on Spotify and check out her IG page for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Steve Hensby Band checks where they are stepping on the groovy journey to ‘Jamtown In Mukinbudin’ (feat. General Justice)

Posted on 15 July 2022

Sending our moods into an enlightened marvel to behold, Steve Hensby Band shows us their world class quality that uplifts the vibe that rockets in the night on ‘Jamtown In Mukinbudin‘ (feat. General Justice).

Steve Hensby Band is a Perth, Western Australia-based indie 9-piece band who fuses in various elements of funk, soul, ska, with their delicious sprinkle of folk.

”Steve Hensby is a Berklee College of Music graduate and WAMI nominated musician who also works as a session player in the Perth area. He has played with the likes of Tim Minchin, Steve Poltz, Randy Feltface, WASO, Perth Symphony Orchestra and Taasha Cootes.” ~ Steve Hensby Band

Warming up our hearts with an honest release that represents our time just right, Steve Hensby Band is the type of band that will get your feet tapping in delight with a terrific blend of soothing vibrations to get your whole body moving all night.

‘Jamtown In Mukinbudin‘ (feat. General Justice) from Perth, Western Australia-based indie 9-piece band Steve Hensby Band is a tasty track to stimulate the appetites of those who love that extra groove in their morning coffee. Filled with an unreal amount of quality that has horns aplenty, this is a song to get wrapped naturally inside for hours on end.

When you find that real jam inside your soul that uplifts you, there is no turning back.

Listen up to this new track on SoundCloud and see more on the IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Huddersfield’s 4FLO Music urges us to embrace our pain on ‘Souls Cry’

Posted on 9 July 2022

Showing us we need to move on from those mistakes before they break us in half, 4FLO Music returns with an inspiring message that should help the healing process quicken with ‘Souls Cry‘.

4FLO Music is a Huddersfield, UK-based indie singer-songwriter who was born in Manchester and fuses in fantastic flashes of RnB, 80s synth, hip hop, soul, rock and pop.

”Ableton is my preference to create the songs. I then use musicians to add the finishing touch under my direction.” ~ 4FLO Music

With startling vocals and a flourishing ambience that sends your whole spirit into a different place in time, 4FLO Music has made a truly outstanding single that will force you to rethink everything you have been doing recently. Turning up the volume to our embrace our emotions with expert skill, this is a glorious effort that shall shake you awake rather quickly.

‘Souls Cry‘ from Huddersfield, UK-based indie singer-songwriter 4FLO Music is a cinematic single that will take your mind away from any hurt that you have been feeling lately. Guiding us through the trauma and letting us know excuses won’t ever help your mentality – this is an ear-piercing experience – to turn up really loud.

Music with a genuine message is always the answer.

Listen in to this new single on Spotify and see more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Montana electro soul act Desperate Electric turns the past issues into positive vibrations with ‘Stay’

Posted on 6 July 2022

Knowing that despite the intermittent problems that occur in relationships, there is always that communication that leads to those good times again, Desperate Electric has dropped the disco gem to get involved with called ‘Stay‘.

Desperate Electric is a Montana, USA based indie alternative electro soul duo who makes music that is so catchy, it will be stuck in your head all day.

”’Stay’ is about not hiding behind your problems; staying, facing the music, and dancing through it. Breaking generational habits, while forging a creative career path, is quite the undertaking, but struggles are easier if we work through them together, and can move forward being the best version of ourselves for the people around us. It’s not about constantly beating yourself up for the mistakes of your past, it’s about growth, and leaving to love yourself and see your self worth even when you’ve made mistakes. Take your pain, learn, and then throw a dance party.” ~ Desperate Electric

Memorable bands have the extra edge that defines a generation. Desperate Electric is that band who has this rare quality in much abundance and shows their electrifying aura to maximum effect with a masterclass performance.

‘Stay‘ from Montana, USA based indie alternative electro soul duo Desperate Electric is a fine track made with a real energy that lets you know that life is best if you deal with any problems without fuss. Performed with a groovy technique that shall get your fingers clicking and your head nodding, this is a song that might get you into the mood to get dancing.

Laced with that sensational vitality that all excellent songs possess, this is a speaker sizzler you can’t surely forget easily.

Hear this wonderful new track on Spotify and see more news on the IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

South Australian soul singer, Bree Gregory, has made her sultrily smoky debut with Only You

Posted on 1 July 2022

With a vocal timbre as smoky as the bluesy RnB groove pockets, The South Australian soul singer, Bree Gregory, is the epitome of seductive soul in her debut single, Only You.

Inspired by contemporaries such as Black Pumas and Erika Badhu and the icons of soul, her soulful love letter fuses nostalgic warmth with cutting style while delivering an open invitation to drink in the highs of affectionate intoxication that ebb and swell through the soundscape.

By the time the outro rolls around any sense of pretence or restraint tears away through the intensity of Gregory’s strident vocal dynamism. So yeah, it is one hell of a debut from one exceptionally talented artist. We can’t wait to hear what follows.

Only You will officially release on July 1st; you can hear it for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: rise and shine with the soul in Laraland’s latest single, In the Morning

Posted on 20 June 2022
Laraland

Ahead of the release of her third LP, the Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Laraland has unveiled the soul in her latest seductive jazz-pop serenade, In the Morning, featuring bassist Nama.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. ‘They’ have never succumbed to the succinctly revelatory lyrical style of Laraland. “In the morning you won’t know my name but I’m the same” perfectly encapsulates the hangover from the cocktail of alcohol, fleeting affection and amicable rejection. At least the love affair with this loungey jazz revival is built to stand the test of time.

With all the timeless class of Ella Fitzgerald nestled up against the modernist resonance in the groove-deep production, easy listening just became infinitely more arrestive. Voices like this don’t emerge every day; Laraland is notably a golden souled diamond in the superficial rough. Get her on your radar.

In her own words, here is what Laraland had to say about her latest single,

“In the Morning was written during another long lockdown in Melbourne in late 2021. It reminisces on the idea of being able to go out and meet new people at a bar, club or anywhere the night takes you. I am drawing on the idea that sometimes you form a connection with a stranger in a bar and want it to last longer than its bitter-sweet one-night expiry.”

In the Morning will officially release on June 20th. You can hear it for yourselves via Spotify.

Follow Laraland on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast