As a black-owned platform, we have written many times about racial injustice over the years, particularly in music. The past week has been a heavy but hopeful reminder of how much there is to do still. We stand in solidarity with George Floyd, Breona Taylor and all other victims of police and racial injustice. We hope that time is finally up on this kind of injustice and we begin to see a real shift. In 2016, we made a playlist for those grieving black lives lost senselessly at the hands of police. Published with a powerful poem from Soré Agbaje. Here we are in 2020 & very much the same story. If what you need in this moment is a soundtrack for the pain of racial injustice, the playlist and poem are here.
We have decided we will continue to spotlight the artists that make the Soul Music that so often tells black stories. So our favourite projects from the past month and our Spotify playlist of the best new R&B songs for a temporary escape from the darkness is down below.
Kehlani – It Was Good Until It Wasn’t
I think it’s fair to say that Kehlani has now made the leap from good to great. It Was Good Until It Wasn’t truly signifies this.
After blessing us with her 2019 project While We Wait, a lot has changed for Kehlani between then and the release of her new project. She has since become a mother and talks how parenthood had a big impact on the album. Lyrically, she is more honest than ever, and A1 distinctive instrumentation throughout definitely makes this resonate even more.
The album’s features are soulful but quite varied. From Jhene Aiko, Masego, James Blake, Tory Lanez and Lucky Daye. All of them add a supplementary element to the tracks they are on. Still, Kehlani is not lost and truly steers the narrative of the album. It’s her finest work to date. Creatively, she has also upped the ante by shooting an array of self-directed visuals for the album in quarantine. It Was Good Until It Wasn’t cements Kehlani’s position as a key figure in contemporary R&B.
Mahalia – Isolation Tapes
Earlier this month, the stupendous talent that is Mahalia surprised us with a short 3-song EP titled Isolation Tapes. The 10-minute long project is the follow up to her very strong debut album, Love and Compromise which was released last September.
Speaking on the project, Mahalia explained,“Since being at home, I’ve spent a lot of time writing new music and listening to old music. I found songs that I’d forgotten about, listened to them and fell in love with them all over again. In these uncertain times, when we have so little control over what is going to happen next, I think we have to focus on what we can control. Music is where I feel that most. And I’m so proud to be putting this EP out!”
Only 3 tracks long but Isolation Tapes showcases exactly why Mahalia only goes from strength to strength. All three tracks also highlight a different side of Mahalia. BRB is a laid back, layered love song that touches on the ins and outs of a long distance relationship. Plastic Plants touches on love in reality, as opposed to the idea of love depicted in Hollywood. “I tried to love like in the movies, But all I got was plastic plants”… “Hollywood made me think it was simple, I took it too literal, now I understand”.
The third and final track on the project Too Nice is a more upbeat track and sonically pays homage to that early 2000s R&B sound. Simply put, Mahalia’s Isolation Tapes is 10 minutes of a much-needed breath of fresh air in these times.
JoJo – good to know
We’ve watched JoJo blossom since she was a 14 year old with her debut album self-titled JoJo in 2004. Fast-forward 16 years and she is back with her much anticipated 4th full-length project, good to know.
The album provides a good blend of R&B and eclectic sounds outside the genre. Vocally, JoJo stuns as usual. She is also vulnerable, touching on topics ranging from self-growth to relationships.
Speaking on her inspirations for the album, JoJo comments, “I called the album ‘good to know’ because of everything I’ve learned in the past few years – every piece of feedback, criticism (internal or external), whatever it is – it’s all just information. I’ve been lucky to have the space to reflect on my own journey up to now, and I hope people can take comfort in the fact that I am not anywhere near perfect, and I will never sugarcoat anything. We are all constantly living and learning, and that’s what makes this life so fun.”
This message resonates throughout the 9 track album and takes you on a sonic journey.
Marie Dahlstrøm – Like Sand
The hugely talented Danish Londoner, Marie Dahlstrom released her very much sought after album Like Sand this month and it truly is a delight. It’s been a steady and progressive road for Marie up to this point as she has released a number of EPs in recent years helping to naturally cultivate a musical fan base globally. Like Sand only further enhances this.
The album is an organic blend of Jazz, R&B and eclectic soul. Consisting of 14 tracks, it delves into vulnerability, love, fear and reflection to name a few. Marie graceful and elegant vocals are a key theme which provide a calming tone sonically. That said, the varied production means things never feel redundant or samey.
The same is also said for the songwriting throughout the album which plays out for just under an hour. Clear and concise images are painted consistently, again enhancing the project and providing a listening experience, as opposed to just another good music album. That dreamy, unique sense of soul is clearly evident on stand out tracks like Home With Me, A Loveletter – An Improvisation and I Want You but are not limited to only these songs by any stretch of the imagination.
On the whole, Marie Dahlstrøm’s Like Sand provides a heartwarming, soulful project which is varied yet consistent throughout. The balance of the album is very well executed and speaking on her approach to music she adds, “Music is my identity. It’s what I’m most proud of. I hope there will be something for everyone with these new songs, and I hope that people will find comfort, and maybe feel more of themselves whilst they listen.”
We certainly feel this intention was met as Like Sand can definitely go up with some of the best albums released this year and is an album that fits perfectly with the current climate of 2020.
