Back again with a round-up of the best new songs, albums and EPs from the past month. This summer’s done us real good with several new singles and projects we’re loving. In particular, we got stand-out projects from Tiana Major9, newcomer GRAMN., Victoria Monet and Her Songs.
Get into why all of these projects are special below. Listen to the best new songs
Tiana Major9 – At Sixes & Sevens
A longtime fave of ours, Tiana Major9 released her sophomore EP and first EP since signing to the legendary Motown Records, titled At Sixes and Sevens.
The EP is a wonderfully-packaged project merging elements of traditional R&B, more contemporary R&B and Neo-Soul. “I accept my emotions and allow them to serve their purpose,” Tiana declares on the intro track and it truly sets the premise expected throughout. Themes of love and relationships play out throughout the 9-track EP where Tiana illustrates her magical ability to vividly paint pictures with her rich vocal tones.
At Sixes and Sevens is the follow-up to her 2019 EP, Rehearsal @ NINE and showcases Tiana’s steady progression as an all-round artist. Vocally, lyrically and musically, she continues to rise.
Interestingly, whilst the majority of the project is R&B-led, elements of reggae-infused Soul are also on display on the lead single, Think About You. At Sixes and Sevens is a contemporary R&B classic EP with incredible replay value from start to finish. It’s easily one of the standout R&B projects of 2020. As longtime supporters, it’s a joy to watch Tiana Major9 start to get the recognition she deserves. She even got a shout-out from Adele for the track, Same Space! Looks like it’s really just the beginning for this rising star.
GRAMN – MEDIUMN EP
Brand-spanking newcomer, GRAMN. released her debut project, MEDIUMN this month. MEDIUMN is a mix of standout futuristic eclectic Soul and promises greatness to come.
MEDIUMN experiments with varied elements of modern Soul / R&B with GRAMN’s voice remaining prominently consistent throughout. Accompanied by electronically-tinged but soulful production, each track plays back to back very seamlessly.
A very strong debut project, GRAMN. will probably be on lips sooner than later. Her effortlessly powerful vocals, alongside her ability to be an all-round artists across varied sounds showcase a very special artists in the making. A refreshingly interesting artist to watch going forward.
Victoria Monét – JAGUAR
Making the transition from songwriting to taking centre stage has traditionally been a difficult one. Many artists find carving out a full career on the frontline hard to sustain and are forced to revert to songwriting.
But Victoria Monét makes the transition appear seamless on her debut album JAGUAR. The 9-track album is a very well crafted project, including a varied collection of sounds and musical eras. She leans towards influences from 70s funk / disco, to classic and contemporary R&B with live instrumentation in parts.
Despite her songwriting accolades coming from Pop, most notably with tracks written for Ariana Grande. Her approach on JAGUAR is refreshing with a musical diversity that works really well. JAGUAR finds the 27 year old very much stepping out of the shadows of her success in that regard.
In addition, where her previous EP’s were very succinct in terms of theme and sound, JAGUAR is very different, allowing something in it for everyone. For example, Jaguar and Experience consist of horn-led, eclectic pop-sounding production. Whereas songs like Moment, Go There With You and Touch Me are much more modern R&B influenced. JAGUAR is a very enjoyable album which showcases Victoria Monét as both an extremely talented songwriter and artist. She managed to provide a brilliant balance between her talents making JAGUAR another project in the run for one of the best R&B / Soul projects of 2020.
Her Songs – Toronto Vol.2 EP
For the most part, the days of music groups seem to have passed (and every 90s kid weeps still). But there’s a new powerhouse collective of women singers uniquely going against the grain.
Her Songs is a global female collective of producers, musicians, songwriters and artists. United by a mutual mission to spotlight the talent of female producers and artists, as well as to celebrate female collaboration.
The collective organically merge Neo-Soul, R&B & Pop. Their sophomore project, Toronto Vol. 2 was created over the course of a week in an open-plan Airbnb in Toronto. Interestingly, the project originally came to be through a conversation between London-based Dane, Marie Dahlstrom and Brooklyn based Colombian, Dani Murcia – before inviting Christchurch New Zealand-based Emily C Browning, French Londoner The Naked Eye and London based Emmavie to the group.
A truly global collective, their collaboration is a pioneering testament to girls creatively uniting.Toronto Vol. 2 proves it takes listeners on a journey both lyrically and sonically. Taking song names from R&B luminary, Musiq Soulchild’s back catalogue and turning them into song lyrics, first single, Just My Luck is a cool 90s-inspired groove. Topics from self-discovery, love and everything in between also feature.
