As the weather starts to get warmer, the newmusic releases remain blazingly hot. May has blessed our ears with an array of fantastic releases and we’re back with our round-up of top pick new album and EP releases. Get into the list below.
And as ever, our On the Wave playlist is keeping you up to speed on what’s dope!
Blue Lab Beats – We Will Rise EP
NK-OK and MR.DM aka Blue Lab Beats are back with the release of their new EP, We Will Rise.
The dynamic duo have served up a 5-track EP, which as expected, is an eclectic montage of instrumentals showcasing yet again why they are one of the most exciting music producers in the game.
Evolving on their sound as always, We Will Rise offers an array of sonics. Ranging from the influences of music from the African diaspora to Boom-Bap inspired Hip-Hop, Jazz and electronic Soul. Featuring the likes of Kojey Radical, Braxton Cook and Ghetto Boy, the EP whilst lasting 17 minutes, is really packing a mean punch.
Simply put, Blue Lab Beats are creating music from the soul which is infectious and is in full effect throughout the EP. Musically, they are only going from strength to strength and we are well and truly enjoying the ride.
Jesse Gold – Stupid Hours EP
The hotbed of musical talent currently thriving out in Canada is amazing to see (and that’s without mentioning Drake, The Weeknd or Bieber!). Straight from Toronto is the soothingly soulful Jesse Gold with his recent EP, Stupid Hours.
Stupid Hours showcases vulnerable and highly relatable songwriting to hit the Soul. Each track compliments the other with a true sense of heartwarming R&B / Soul feels constantly on show. In addition to this, it is not only easy on the ear in the sonical sense. Jesse’s ability to smoothly weave melodies alongside picture-esq lyrics play a pivotal role in guiding the listener through each track.
Interestingly, Jesse named the project based on the late hours taken to carve out ideas when creating the EP. Speaking on the creative process for Stupid Hours, he adds, “I started co-writing more than ever over the last year and a half. I learned so much from working with great writers. I realized that there were songwriting tools that I had never even considered for my own music. So, I just became super eager to use the tools in my own writing. I ended up with songs I was much more proud of, and I’ve just been chasing that feeling ever since.”
Another striking element of the EP is its vulnerability. Whilst this is not something completely new, Jesse Gold manages to offer this in a unique way, adding a refreshing taste to the overall aesthetics. This is well displayed on tracks like ‘Good Girl 1’ and ‘Good Girl 2’.
Overall, Stupid Hours genuinely leaves you wanting more whilst also giving you enough to replay over and over again.
Sinead Harnett – Ready Is Always Too Late
Just under 2 years since Sinead Harnett released her debut album Lessons In Love, she is back with her sophomore project aptly titled Ready Is Always Too Late.
The new album is another cohesive body of work consisting of 11 tracks where Sinead showcases many sides sonically and lyrically. Empowering messages ring strong throughout alongside elements of vulnerability that resonate vividly. The curation and flow of the album is equally impressive, with there being no moment during the listen which feels out of place.
Sonically, the album remains eclectic whilst still providing a consistent backdrop for Sinead’s honey smooth vocals to take centre stage. That said, this is no shock as high-profile producers such as Kaytranda, Rudimental and Disclosure all feature on the album. The artists featured are also on par. Appearances come by way of VanJess, Masego, Earthgang and Lucky Daye.
Nonetheless, it is Sinead that shines throughout. Delivering truly soulful, but firmly contemporary R&B with the feels to match! A prime example of this being on the intro track ‘Ready Is Always Too Late’. A crisp, snappy drum led beat accompanied by playful piano sections, enable Sinead to firmly cut through vocally setting the tone of what is to come.
Ready Is Always Too Late re-affirms Sinead’s progression as an artist becoming more and more comfortable in her skin and creating timeless music in the process.
Vague Detail, Kaleem Taylor & The Code – Vague Detail EP
Whilst R&B continues to remain on the upward trend, the duo element of the genre is something we see less and less. That said, there is a group who have now gone against the grain in that regard.
Vague Detail are a duo composed of vocalist, Kaleem Taylor and producer, The Code. The pair have joined forces on the self-titled EP consisting of 5 tracks and the vibe is real!
The first single taken from the project, Broken (Intro) was released last month and set the precedent on what the tone and all-round vibe of the EP would be. Moody, meticulously-rendered heart-hitting soul meshed with all of the aesthetics of modern R&B, is one way to describe the project on the whole. Although, this may not even do it justice in all honesty.
The nostalgic feel to all 5 tracks speak for itself but equally appealing is the high quality songwriting. Lyrically cryptic at times, whilst still able to allure you in for more, Vague Detail balance the sonics and vivid imagery perfectfully well, considering it is a small length project.
In addition, the melodically infused vocal range of Kaleem Taylor fits like a glove alongside the atmospheric groovy production The Code offers here. Aesthetically, the EP is packaged wonderfully well and is one of the most soulfully sleek EP’s you are likely to hear all year.
Bea Anderson – Eden EP
London based singer-songwriter Bea Anderson delighted us with two singles ‘Easy’ and ‘Nauseous’ earlier this year. Off the back of this, anticipation was rising steadily to see what she would deliver to us next and her debut EP Eden, does not disappoint.
The journey up to this point has been somewhat of a whirlwind as this time last year she was not technically classified as an ‘artist’, known instead as a songwriter. When speaking on the EP she adds:
“In hindsight, it feels even more fitting that the EP is called ‘Eden’. Originally, I’d selected this name as I always said it would be the name of my first born child and therefore two things preciously birthed from me; first child, first music project (although I’m not actually a mum yet lol). That literally is what this all feels like – the birthing of me.”
Eden is a short project consisting of 6 tracks where Bea serves up a cohesive collection of heart tingling soul. From its acoustic led intro track ‘Dear Me’ to the sultry lead single ‘Easy’, to the more up-beat track ‘Shrugs’ Bea delivers divine feels throughout.
Vocally she is flawless throughout the EP with spine tingling rifts and melodic transitions to match. Added to this is her breathtaking storytelling style of songwriting, Bea Anderson is certainly an artist to keep very close tabs on.
Shelley FKA Dram – Shelley FKA Dram
On his self-titled second album, Shelley is back providing endless retro R&B vibes suited for any occasion. Serenading from start to finish, Shelley FKA DRAM trades the catchy Hip-Hop leaning hooks he was known for as DRAM, for smoothly balanced neo-soul and funk. In many ways this is Barry White meets modernised R&B in 2021. Simply soothing, Shelley’s varied vocal range is impressive as he touches on variations of romantic topics through a reflective lens.
The record’s main focus is the several phases of love that make him feel more in love. Between tracks on the project are also short interludes whereby he further explains his notions of love. The features on the album are equally as impressive and again into the album’s narrative. Erykah Badu, H.E.R and Summer Walker are not only big names, but genuinely add value to the all round vibe of the album.
We well and truly appreciate where Shelley has taken things on the album and his take on romance from an R&B angle is wondrous.
Mysie – Undertones
South London raised Mysie, this month released her eclectic EP Undertones. The 2020 Rising Star Ivor Novello awards winner, does a brilliant job of delivering refreshingly fresh vibes throughout the 15 minute project.
The EP is released on renowned producer Fraser T. Smith’s label, 70HZ. Which makes perfect sense based on the wide array of musical influences implemented on the project. Elements of neo-soul, melodic alt-pop, up-tempo disco funk to name a few are on display. Added to this, is her remarkable lyrical candour that is striking, an element that adds a brilliant balance to proceedings.
Vocally, you can expect calming, heart soothing tones pierce through without ever becoming monotone, something the eclectic nature of the production used on the EP helps to counter. All 5 tracks on Undertones highlight Mysie’s versatility to delight in a number of musical pockets. Moreover, the project plays out as a perfect anthology of a musician ever-evolving and playing with the experimental facets of their artistry.
Mereba – AZEB EP
LA-Based singer / songwriter Mereba is back with a brand new EP AZEB, which is another impressive display of her artistic vision and prowess. The 7 track EP is her follow up to the collaborative project she was a part of in 2020 with Spillage Village on the album Spilligion.
As we have come to expect from Mereba, dense lyrical content, contextuality and artistic innovation are glossed all over the AZEB making it an all round well balanced body of work. Despite being a shorter project to her 2019 full length release The Jungle Is The Only Way Out, Mereba’s effortless approach remains in full tact. The production on the 20 minute project is lush, soothing and progressive. Such sounds play fittingly as a canvas for Mereba’s vivid storytelling layered lyrics to stay affirmed in focus.
The new EP is something that sits very closely to her. To begin with, the title of the EP, AZEB derives from her Ethipion middle name meaning where the sun rises. When speaking on the process of creating the album adds, “I was also inspired by Nina Simone, who said, “It’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times.” I always end up putting current events, or things that are happening in the world, into my music. But this project also encompasses the more universal parts of human existence, like being in love and being hopeful in the midst of whatever else is going on, because that’s a survival tactic, to have hope and faith that things are going to get better”.
As fate would also have it, the project was released on the day she became a mother.
Themes of self-reflection, confidence, perseverance and solidarity are reaffirmed throughout the listen. With Mereba’s distinctive ability to vividly carve words to paint pictures through her art further exemplified on AZEB. Between the amalgamation of sonical depth, human commentary AZEB truly displays the evolution of Mereba as a person and artist. We highly recommend you check this project out.
