As the first quarter of 2021 closes in, March has truly blessed our ears with an avalanche of elite music releases. As ever, our On the Wave playlist is keeping you up to speed on what’s dope!
Jaz Elise – The Golden Hour
Jaz Elise is a singer/songwriter hailing from Jamaica. Her contemporary twist of R&B infused with reggae has led to her being a key member of the In.Digg.Nation Collective, alongside other renowned Jamaican artists, Lila Iké and Sevana.
This month her debut EP The Golden Hour was released. With reggae artist Protoje having a main role in the release of the project, many would have expected a reggae focused album, but this was far from the case. Despite the EP containing reggae tones in parts, its oozes eclectic soul without its vibe ever feeling forced.
For example on the first track ‘Elevated’. Jaz sets the tone of the 7 track project showcasing the soulful blend that is to come throughout. Added to this are Jaz Elises’ smooth flow and vocal performance all over the project. Jaz delights with her invitingly calm vocal tones throughout which works so well on the EP. The closing track on the EP ‘Breathe’ again shows this off effortlessly well. The Golden Hour, is an enjoyable listen from an artist that is on the rise. Whilst Reggae intertwined with R&B is nothing new, Jaz Elise is refreshing this notion organically and we are fully here for it!
Giveon – When It’s All Said And Done… Take Time
Giveon has repackaged two previously released EPs ‘When It’s All Said And Done’ and ‘Take Time’ into one full-length project as well as treating us with an additional track ‘All To Me’.
Without question, Giveon has been on fire in the past 12 months and has already made an impact in the R&B sphere. Added to this, in February the Grammy nominated singer/songwriter blessed us with a Tiny Desk at-home concert (Honestly, its AMAZING go check it!).
When It’s All Said And Done… Take Time, is amalgamation of 2 projects released last year Take Time and When It’s All Said And Done. That said, it is surreal how seamless this sounds sonically. All 13 tracks flow superbly and if you never knew this was 2 projects merged together, you wouldn’t have thought otherwise.
Ahead of the new release, Giveon took to Instagram to share, “The anniversary for the release of Take Time is creeping up on us all….what a year it’s been. My first two EPs were stories about a chapter in my love life. The bright spots and the nuisances. I really just used music as a vehicle to exhibit all of my vulnerabilities and truths… the fact that so many people are moved by my stories leaves me speechless everyday. I’m beyond grateful and blessed to have you all along every step of the journey.“
Giveon provides heartfelt feels from front to back on the album. The production is deeply layered throughout and fits his vocals perfectly. Speaking of vocals, just where do we begin? The profound, murky feel to his voice is simply captivating and sets the tone throughout the project.
Giveon can do no wrong right now and we are enjoying the ride. This is contemporary R&B at its very best.
Jacob Banks – For My Friends
The talented U.K.-based singer this month released his For My Friends EP. The 8 song project was created during the pandemic, working remotely with his longtime collaborator Sillkey.
The EP captures insights of Banks’ mindset over the past year. Lyrical images are brilliantly splattered all across the 25 minute project. Themes of love, loss and protest are displayed again showcasing Jacob’s adaptability as an artist allowing his vulnerability and humanity to take centre stage.
Despite the majority of the project being created in a remote environment, you could never tell. Sonically, the EP plays wonderfully well with Jacobs warm piercing tone cutting through effortlessly. If anything, the environment could have played more into Jacob’s hands in a creative sense. He sounds more creatively focused than ever and fully in command of his artistry. Tracks such as Rizla, Stranger, Parade, are true standouts to what is an extremely well rounded soul project. For My Friends does not disappoint at all from its smooth slow-burning tracks to upbeat gritty anthems it fully delivers and illustrates why Jacob Banks is here to stay!
Joyce Wrice – Overgrown
It has been a steady rise for the LA-based singer/songwriter Joyce Wrice. Since her debut EP Stay Around in 2016, her soulful angelic voice has been truly refreshing. In an era where R&B can often be labelled as being too airy fairy, Joyce Wrice provides R&B that meshes nostalgic feels with a contemporary sound.
Fast-forward to 2021 and she has released her debut album Overgrown. Simply put, the album is R&B sunshine in our ears. From the cover alone, the early 2000s nostalgia is real. But trust me, Overgrown is not just a nod to R&B nostalgia.
The album stands up on its own deserved merits. Refreshingly, the album contains 3 interludes which run throughout the course of the 14 track project. Again, something barely found on contemporary albums these days. These work extremely well on the album, the only gripe is them not being longer! The feature list on the album is supreme. Including the likes of Kaytranada, Lucky Daye, Masego, and UMI to name a few.
That said, Joyce truly takes centre stage and dazzles throughout. Her enriched, heartwarming vocal tones are spectacular and the feels are real! Themes on the album range from relationships, love, self-love and self-revaluation, hence the album’s title Overgrown.
Overgrown sonically, is a journey through womanhood, but not only from the female perspective. Rappers Westside Gunn and Freddie Gibbs add male related context on the album on tracks ‘On One’ and ‘Westside Gunn’s Interlude’. Still an independent artist, Joyce Wrice stamps her authority in R&B on this debut release. It has been well received across the board and we also give it our rubber stamp of approval!
Jvck James – Joyride
Respectfully, if you are not yet up on Jvck James, just where have you been? Easily on the most exciting R&B talents, this month he released his highly anticipated EP Joyride. The EP was accompanied by a dope short film.
Joyride plays ode to that 90s/2000s vibe of R&B sonically and visually. Such aesthetics are on full display on the lead single ‘No Drama’. Nonetheless, Jvck James delivers way more than nostalgia. The 6 track EP is a journey of evolving musical soundscapes that slaps! The EP’s intro ‘What You Want’ is a galactic sounding track merged with computerized synths that take you away to another sphere. The transitions on the project are seamless and truly adds endless replay value to the 17 minute project.
When speaking on the project, Jvck adds: “We’re definitely continuing the ride. You can tell that I’m obsessed with cars (laughs) because we have Detour, and we have Joyride. It’s really just about people being on the journey with me, and I appreciate everyone who supported me. We’re in it for the long ride.”
Sonically, the production is effortlessly smooth with Jvck dazzling through an array of head-bopping melodies and harmonies. ‘Basement’ is another big moment on the EP, the jumpy track inspired track is one you need to play on full volume! Overall, Joyride is another example of exactly why Jvck James is an artist we are keeping firm tabs on. Sonically and aesthetically he is doing bits right now!
Nubiyan Twist – Freedom Fables
Nubiyan Twist area Leeds born, London based musical collective. They amalgamate a fusion of jazz inspired soul and this month released their third album Freedom Fables.
Key players in the ever thriving UK Jazz scene, the collective provide us with an array of instrument based tracks that simply soothe the soul. The 9-track album features singing contributions from Ego Ella May, Ria Moran and Cherise Adams-Burnett who all add their own unique touch of soul to proceedings.
The ability of the group to manage to keep things refreshingly eclectic, whilst keeping everything cohesively soulful is truly remarkable. Whether it’s on tracks such as ‘Buckle Up’ or ‘Tittle Tattle’ that merge Hip-Hop/Garage vibes alongside Jazz to more Neo-Soul orientated tracks such as ‘Flow’, ‘Morning Light’ & ‘24-7’ the blend of sonics are undoubted.
Not only does the project provide a mix and blend of vibes, throughout the listen everything feels organic. You really have the feel of there being a live show going through your ears. Everything feels fresh, live and alive!
The UK Jazz scene is in full effect right now and we 1000% recommend giving this album a spin!
BINA – This Is Not A Film EP
Hailing from South London, BINA is an artist that uses a mix of emotion-provoking, sophisticated lyrics and catchy melodies to detail her life experiences in music.
She is back with her follow up to her 2019 release Humble Abode with This Is Not A Film. The 4 track EP plays as a diary confession, with BINA showcasing her vulnerabilities touching on life related themes.
Last week, she released the lead single from the project ‘Mercedes To Hades’ which really sets the tone of what you can expect on the EP. Lyrically, BINA does not hold back and it is such transparency that instantly lets the music resonate. Sonically, the production is tight. Sprinkles of Neo-Soul, contemporary R&B and Hip-Hop are all intertwined. Added to this BINA’s vocals float across the entire project, urging you to wish it was longer!
As an emerging artist BINA is refining her craft upon each release and we are here for it! Simply put, she is a really exciting name on the scene right now.
