It’s officially summertime, and the high quality projects continue to be out in full effect. Here are some sizzling standouts from June, enjoy!
As usual, our On the Wave playlist is keeping you up to speed on what’s dope!
Children of Zeus – Balance
The lads from Manchester are back and even better! Delivering their artistry with fresh context, the album title Balance fits perfectfully. Merging the sound of their debut without losing their innate magic, continues to be the way for Konny Kon and Tyler Daley on their second full length album. Continuing to blaze the trail for UK soul, Balance does not disappoint and is set to be the album that finally gives the duo their flowers!
After the release of Travel Light (2018) the natural question was always going to be how can CoZ follow this up. However, the intro track on Balance ‘Sunrise’ sets the tone wonderfully well. With its soulful intro and church-esq vibe, it does well to set up the premise of the album. The vibes of enriched soul are splattered all over the 13 track album, providing a solidified groovy backdrop to proceedings. Lead singles ‘Never Let You Down’ & ‘Be Someone’ gave two prime examples of what to expect vibe wise on Balance, but it’s the way the remaining 11 tracks assist in painting this picture for me!
Despite this being a soul album for the most part, Balance offers a varied way in which these elements are delivered. Up-tempo tracks such as ‘I Know’, and ‘The Most Humblest of All Time, Ever’ still merge organic soul without it feeling forced. Even when things slowed down the essence is as effective if not more. Tracks such ‘Nice & Slow’, ‘Love Again’ & ‘42Long’ all justify relentless rewinds even after your 5th pull up! Features are at a minimum on the album but it’s certainly a case of quality over quantity in this regard. The track ‘Balance’ featuring Akemi Fox and Georgie Sweet, arguably is the most well-rounded song on the album with elements of Hip-Hop and Neo-Soul out in full force.
Balance is not only contrasted musically, with themes of decisions, risks, love and the ups and downs of life in all aspects touched on throughout the 49 minute listen. Overall, the new project showcases Children of Zeus building on their musical palette whilst staying true to their roots. The balance is well and truly in full flow.
Emotional Oranges – Juicebox
One of the most intriguing duos recently birthed from the R&B genre are LA-based Emotional Oranges. This month, they are back with the release of their new album The Juicebox. The eight-track project is an eclectic mix of contemporary R&B and is their first release in two years. The short hiatus has allowed space for their laid back, chilled R&B aesthetic to once again take center stage.
Sonically, the project is a mixed bag in the best possible way. Spell-binding melodies are in full flow throughout with no track sounding the same. That said, vocally things are very consistent helping again to bring that relaxing feel to the overall listen. Features on the album are equally as compelling whilst again remaining varied. The Juicebox is an amalgamation of soundscapes, something the feature list also incorporates. Vince Staples, Chiiild, Biig Piig, Kiana Lede and THEY are but a few of the artists involved in the project and each add a unique flair to proceedings.
Nevertheless, Emotional Oranges throughout The Juicebox further exemplify why they are so hard to pin down genre-wise. From the smooth house inspired bass riffs and exciting guitar sections to the crisp, relaxing vocal arrangements, the duo continue to be one of the most eclectically interesting groups in R&B.
Alana Soul – Love In London EP
Since her debut single ‘Selfish’ in 2019, it’s been a steady rise for R&B songstress Alana Soul. In the past 2 years she has garnered support from celebrated platforms such as BBC 1Xtra, Guap Magazine and GRM Daily to name a few.
Her debut EP Love In London is a well rounded project consisting of 8 tracks that provide a brilliant insight into the versatility of Alana’s artistry. Whilst remaining R&B sonically throughout, she shows bravery to touch on love related topics that truly resonate during the project. Such as on the track ‘Instagram Girl’ where Alana touches on the idea of needing to fit into the image of social media in order to find love. Something very real yet ever touched on in music. The writing and synergy on the project is truly impressive with no track feeling out of place.
The production is stellar on the EP aligned with Alana’s smooth vocals which take center stage throughout. When speaking on the project Alana adds, “I have been working on my EP for over a year now and it’s all based on personal experiences, which is why I think it took me so long to complete. I tried to be versatile, but still stick to my style of writing and sound because that’s what music is about”.
The vibes on the project are simply captivating, with influences ranging from 90s/2000s as well as modern day R&B. Alana Soul manages to merge an array of R&B vibes together whilst still keeping everything sound and feel very fresh. Alana Soul is definitely an artist on the rise and we are all aboard her journey!
Zilo – Where the Flowers Grow
There are some artists that just have star quality without you being able to pin-point them into any specific box. As is the case with the hugely talented singer/songwriter Zilo who released her third album, Where the Flowers Grow. The latest project is the follow up to 2019’s Gorgeous and it as eclectically amazing as expected.
The 17-track album showcases the elite versatility Zilo brings in her music. Where the Flowers Grow is jam packed with relentless vibes and is a project you can throw on to anything you are doing. One thing you can always rely on from Zilo are high levels of lyrical ability, incredible melodies and angelic vocals. Her innate ability to also let you feel as if she is speaking directly to you in her music continues to work amazingly well also.
The album has tracks that are so much about the everyday things of life, yet she has the ability to add a unique vibe that sticks. Tracks such as ‘On A Wave’, ‘I Don’t Wanna Go Outside’, ‘In My PJ’s’, ‘Weird’ are all prime examples of this. The production on the album is equally as exciting. No track sounds the same with the eclectic quirky themes sonically running through the listen. Whether it’s the smooth running bass guitar runs on ‘Tell Her’, or the groovy, house esque basslines on ‘Trust U’, the wide variety of musical influences are out in full force. Accompanied to this are her melodically smooth vocals which are simply flawless.
Musically, Zilo is a creative genius and the way in which Where the Flowers Grow again shows this. Her artistry is ever evolving and she really needs to be in your ears if she is not already!
SAULT – Nine
The mysterious London-based alt-R&B collective SAULT are back with a new album Nine. The project is amazingly their fifth release in 3 years and the collective are only getting better. Like 2020’s equally mysterious ‘Untitled (Rise)’ and ‘Untitled (Black Is)’, the new record carries essential political and personal weight.
Interestingly, the album is apparently only available in digital form for the next 99 days, whilst hard copies will remain for purchase. The averse group continually defies convention whilst always delivering powerful, confrontational context through innovative R&B.
As usual with a SAULT, themes of is Black-centricity and racial bias are expressed without being dogmatic or too in-your-face. However the shift is more UK focused on the Nine. The main focus is on life in the council estates that some of the group’s members were raised in, as well as the gang violence and drug abuse that plagues so many.
Cleo Sol offers dazzling vocals on a number of tracks with her soulful tone ringing out over the melodic heartwarming production throughout the album. Tracks such as ‘Bitter Streets’ and ‘Alcohol’ being prime examples of this. Little Simz also features on the track ‘You from London’. The track is a hilarious tongue and cheek play on the perception US counterparts often have on how life is in London.
Sonically the album is mastered and synced impeccably well. Nothing is out of place with each track playing a pivotal role in the overarching theme of life growing up in London and how layered this experience is. SAULT again, demonstrate the power of words and just how impactful music can be. It’s impossible not to feel affected by the stories being told. However, despite Nine’s tragic elements, SAULT manage to infuse optimism and hope for a brighter future into this album.
Hiatus Kaiyote – Mood Valiant
The Australian future soul band are back at their impulsive best to deliver one of their most resonant records to date. The Grammy nominated collective this month released their third album Mood Valiant. Since their breakout album Tawk Tomahawk (2013) the group have remained as one of the leading lights in the emergence of future soul and Mood Valiant is another extension on this.
The album is their first release in 7 years and whilst the break was frustrating for many of their fans, the band sound truly regenerated. Mood Valiant is an array of eclectic Neo-Soul tracks which genuinely keep you on your toes throughout the listen.
In many ways, Kaiyote’s sound is the sort that both soothes and thrills the listener in a wonderfully weird package. No two songs ever sound the same, yet the vibe is never disrupted because of this. The band truly have found a happy medium in this regard. Lead vocalist Naomi Saalfield aka ‘Nai Palm’ does what she does best on the album. With her raspy tones adding life to the melodically smooth soulful production on display.
The way in which the tracks transition is very impressive. For example the album’s intro ‘Flight of the Tiger Lily’ opens with warm lush strings before seamlessly phasing into the second track ‘Sip Into Something Soft’. The keys are gorgeous in this tune with fine groove progressions between bass and drums as is typical of the band, sitting perfectly beneath Nai Palm’s vocals. Transitions such as this are on show throughout, adding another layer to the overall listening experience.
Mood Valiant comes out in the wake of two health crises: Nai Palm’s battle with breast cancer and of course the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Nai Palm adds, “When you think your life is going to be taken away from you, it makes you think about who you are. I guess after the breast cancer scare I decided that I needed to prove to life that the offering I have is genuine. My only wish is to live and offer my experience of time and beauty.”
Mood Valiant is a delightful listen and reaffirms their high position in the future soul subgenre.
Kwaku Asante – ODE EP
Emerging neo-soul artist Kwaku Asante is back with the release of his latest EP ‘ODE’. The five track project showcases Asante’s excellent soulful tone on a bed of warm layered soulful production. Merged with this is the brilliant lyrical ability on display during the EP. Such as on the lead single ‘Angel’. The track is delivered with loving honesty. Kwaku’s rich vocals are well suited to express the deep emotion, hidden by the warm mood conveyed in the uplifting melody that is very calming.
Kwaku as expected runs through themes of love, life, emotions and relationships on the EP. However, it is the way in which he effortlessly delivers these series of messages which is truly impressive.
When speaking on the EP he adds, “I wrote this EP talking about the current stage I am at in my life, being a young black man from a religious household trying to navigate a very treacherous and turbulent industry. This is a new terrain and space that I’m operating in, I do not want to unravel for the sake of my health and the people closest to me.”
Simply put Kwaku Asante is becoming one of the enigmatic voices in the contemporary UK R&B scene and ODE EP is another example of this.
Greentea Peng – Man Made
The London-based psych-soul queen that is Greentea Peng this month released her anticipated debut album Man Made.
Since her debut EP Sensi in 2018, Greentea Peng has always been an artist staying true to her sound and aura that makes her such a maverick within her artistry. Never one to shy away from expressing her true feelings and thoughts in her music Man Made continues this theme and makes for a spellbinding project.
The 18-track album touches on a plethora of impactful themes. Race, distractions, global prejudices and day to day struggles as humans are just some of these topics Greentea speak on. None of which ever feels preachy or judgemental in anything it’s her refreshing way of speaking on such topics which brings the album to life making for a very much one of a kind debut.
When speaking on the meaning of the album Greentea adds, “It’s a record purpose-designed to resonate more in your heart space, and less in your headspace.” This could not be more true when you delve into the tracks on the project, such as the single “Nah It Ain’t The Same”. The track touches on the struggles of just being a human in today’s society with hard hitting lyrics such as “These earthly habits, they’ve got to gеt going, I’ve let go of desirеs, but I have truly let go of the fires, That burn them and fuel them, It’s so hard to be human
With a battling mind, I have lost all devotion over time”
Man Made is jam packed with quotables as Greentea’s pen game is simply stupendous. Poised with clarity and confidence with her delivery they are not only clear to hear, more importantly, they are more easy to feel. One of Greenteas musical inspirations is mid 90s Reggae / Soul artist Finley Quaye. Such inspiration is found on the tracks ‘Suffer’ and ‘Earnest’. Both delivery and content wise there are clear parallels. That said as Greentea Peng is an artist reflecting on the past, future and present the comparisons are going to be endless and that is a compliment. Comparisons ranging from Damian Marley to Ms Dynamite have been made on the album and again this is only a good thing.
Comparisons aside, it is Greentea Peng that makes Man Made the seminal album that it is. Sonically, the production is melodically infused. With elements ranging from Reggae, Ska, Blues and House being well amalgamated throughout the album making for an elite the listening experience. Greentea Peng is an artist you need to make sure you are tapping into as she continues to be one of the few artists in music leading with a substance first approach and we rate it highly!
