“This track offers up a take on current events by splicing in sound clips with a smooth groove and a Hip-hop flow that feels genuine emotionally.
DJ Zenas stays with a mellow chill vibe for what is certainly rambunctious and tumultuous times and this juxtaposition makes for an interesting listen and allows for reflection and thought.”
“Love and lust are tricky things, and if you are not careful, the chase is what you come to crave more than the actual act of being with someone.
Lenkie is a 17 year old South African artist living in New York City, and here she gives us track that feels wise beyond her years. Dark and brooding and intuitive, the mood feels as dangerous as the girl mentioned in “Trouble.””
“You ever save a snack or a bit of leftovers in the fridge ... then come for them hungry late at night only to discover someone already ate your food? The betrayal is real, and amplified all the more when the food thief is your significant other.
This track is about those emotions and the overall selfish attitude of a disrespectful lover. The writing is humorous, but still emotional and poignant. the way real truths tend to be. The chill flow makes it easy to connect, and I found myself in a musical brand of amen as I nodded along in agreement.”
“Make up sex! This track is the softest smoothest ode to angry smashing that you will ever hear.
The lyrical build is magic and the talented vocal performance oddly pop-like given the message being delivered. Somehow the mismatched combination is quite evocative and intriguing. But I suppose that is how love goes. Passion runs hot and cold, and is especially abrupt after making the corner after a big fight. So perhaps, this song has only captured that dynamic in perfect, musical bliss. ”
“Grace Weber is a bad ass. A sultry vocalist, a talented songwriter, and a strong-willed soul willing to unflinchingly speak her mind. IF that doesn’t make a person a bad ass, I don’t know what does.
’Sideways’ is a slow tempo track about taking back your confidence and power. The track has a definite R&B groove and a soulful vibe but still has a bit of Pop sensibilities underneath all of that. ”
“This track unfolds like a sexy serpent slinking in and seductively winding itself around you. Sarina’s sultry vocals pairs nicely with the attitude fueling the lyrics, proving she is more than ready to ‘Bite Back.’
There is a bit of bounce to the flow at times, and more of an R&B groove in other places. The track creates some stirring visuals thanks to the strong writing and emotive delivery. There is also an exotic flair to the overall arrangement that makes it hit a little different than most popular music.”
“Trinity Rose’s voice is the musical equivalent of that pretty girl next door. Sweet an innocent, but fully capable of breaking your heart if you are’t paying proper attention to her. And Rose’s latest single, ‘Morning Text’ feels exactly like that.
On the surface, that tantalizing R&B groove is smooth and mellow, but lyrically the track is a dagger to the heart of her enthralled morning messenger. The beauty of this track is in its simple complexity, and no, that is not an oxymoron.”
“As part of a recent virtual graduation, Ramond performed ‘Bright Side’ for the Colorado State University graduating class of 2020. And the track delivers the perfect vibe of hope and determination and optimism in the face of challenges. The chill vibe is tranquil, yet brings an undeniable energy that pulls you along.
Ramond was hand-selected to Executive Produce a soundtrack based on the popular Black Sands comic book series. The 13-track soundtrack accompanies the animated DVD.”
“Brilly Asher drops this honest and unflinching track about the way our behavior hits others. Anytime a talented artist, truly lays bare his soul the result is an engaging song with relevance, because human nature leads us all to make the same mistakes, have the same dreams, share the same fears.
The flow here is slow and steady and carries a hint of an R&B vibe. The backing is fairly low-key and stays out of the way for the most part without adding a lot of punch on its own. ”
“An Electro Pop track with one foot standing squarely in a classic R&B vibe, ‘Champagne For Breakfast’ offers a smooth sultry groove that hooks you from the the start.
ZIKAI is a rising Swedish star ready to explode internationally as well. Lyrically this track is about the easy rapport of a burgeoning love ... at least while the booze is flowing, but what happens the next morning?”
“Landing somewhere between Contemporary R&B and a more commercial Pop groove, ‘after mdnight’ is about wanting to be more than an after midnight booty call.
The track brings a smooth easy groove that is easy to fall into and sing along with, though there is also a sensual vibe like driving alone at tight on a rain darkened stretch of road while your mind runs away to someplace else. ”
“Sometimes all any of us can do is ‘Hold On’ as we go through tough times. And sometimes you gotta hold on for years to get where you want to be.
Tireek and Lonely Leonard team up to give is a glimpse of their coming up through tough times, but finding the love and strength around them to help them hold on. Both flows are honest and engaging, and the beat production feels right for the emotions fueling the track”
“I like the energy and spirit of this track, and those elements were what caught my attention first. This single would make a nice addition to your motivational playlists, no matter if you are headed to the gym or trying to rebuild a new life after a detour. The vocals are uplifting and the lyrics, while not complex, convey the message of hope and renewal and strength very well.”
“Both set of vocals on this track deliver verve and emotion. The track has an energy about it that hooks you very early on, and holds you. With a touch of wry humor behind the lyrics, and a smooth groove musically that carries you along this single is entertaining by any definition. This short track is one where the lyrics build well off of each other, and the talent behind it makes it a fun listen.”
“Smooth and soulful like far more music used to be. The vocals drop in with a heavy dose of want and sensuality, whereas the lyrics are more about the hopes and dreams of what she is looking for out of a relationship. The R&B groove is infectious and grubs you start to finish giving this track an allure that is pleasing to the ears and mind and impossible to escape.”
“This track from Cimòn brings passion and fire, and feels exactly like the rebirth it is. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, Cimòn unabashedly flexes his plumage with choice lyrics and direct statement at those who have doubted or counted him out. The writing is sharp, and the flow engaging, on this single that is as much a proclamation of creativity and art, over commercialism and the pursuit of the dollar as it is a personal statement. ”
“Normally I use this space to review the songs and videos that speak to me but these are unprecedented times so I am calling an audible and simply sharing this one without my commentary. The information below is simply that, information. ”
After releasing his debut single, “Need You”, last week, emerging Canadian R&B artist Emanuel suddenly found himself in global headlines. Only hours after its release, Golden Globe-winning actor, musician and producer Idris Elba OBE, started the collaborative social media campaign #NeedYou2020. In his Instagram post, Elba encouraged people to submit photos or videos for an “inspirational collage” he was creating to Emanuel’s brand-new single that would document how the world was coping with self-isolation.
Idris is very passionate about Emanuel’s talent - his involvement comes from a very sincere place (as a fan of Emanuel's music). The video is made up of footage sent in by members of the public. The single itself is absolutely beautiful, a really emotional song that pairs perfectly with Idris's message of hope. It is a testament to the power of the Canadian-Ethiopian artist's sumptuous vocal. During these testing times whilst people are confronted with challenging circumstances, the video for 'Need You' seeks to provide comfort and connectedness.
See Idris’ call out on Twitter and Instagram.
Within 24 hours, over 3,000 submissions for the collaborative video had been sent in from people around the globe with a final total of over 4,500 entries from over 20 countries. By creating this collaborative call to action, Elba and Emanuel let the world direct the video we all need right now; a moving, honest expression of humanity’s deep need for connection. Emanuel’s stirring vocals unify the compelling images and create a sense of connection in a self-isolated world.
“This track brings a nice R&B groove, along with an engaging Hip-Hop flow that sort of settles down in the marrow of your bones.
Some people seem to have everything this world has to offer, but as the lyrics here point out, that all any of us need is love.
’Nothing But Love,’ is a track you can sing along to and sway to the beat while knowing the truth of the words being delivered.”
“Mandell blends R&B and Pop vocals over beat and melody that incorporates EDM style production along with a smooth soulful groove to give us an emotional track. Lyrically, this track deals with the complex of emotions that come with falling in love.”
“Weaving two flows together, into one seamless track is not an easy production feat, but ‘Crazy’ manages to do exactly that. The Rap flow does the heavy lyrical work on this track about the love you can’t quite have or give, however the chorus comes by way of an R&B vibe that hits first and is woven throughout the track to add another layer to the emotions of the single. ”