It’s officially summertime, and the good music drops aren’t letting up. Here are some sizzling standout EPs and albums from July you need to hear. Enjoy!
As usual, our On the Wave playlist is keeping you up to speed on what’s dope!
ENNY – Under Twenty Five
Ever since the release of her breakout single ‘Peng Black Girls’ last October, the trajectory has been up for ENNY. The song despite being released during a global pandemic became a well deserved international hit.
Fast forward to July 2021 and ENNY is back with her debut project Under Twenty Five. ENNY is truly a refreshing artist. Never shying away from expressing her experiences through her music, Under Twenty Five mirrors her stance as an artist during the 7 track EP. Based in South London, her witty lyricism with epic storytelling makes her without question a standout artist.
The project showcases ENNY’s qualities over a diverse group of tracks. From the groovy-soulful ‘Malibu’, to conscious tracks like ‘Peng Black Girls’ or ‘Keisha’s & Brenda’s’, this EP holds a huge amount of substance from beginning to end. Refreshingly, she does not fall victim to just making tracks that are on trend. In a climate where there is an overreliance on drill / trap, ENNY goes against this grain and still manages to cut through as a true standout artist, remaining true to her authenticity.
Overall, ENNY is certainly not yet the finished product as an artist, but she is undeniably a rapper that is doing everything with a sense of true conviction and unwavering confidence.
Snoh Aalegra – TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES
At this point, Snoh Aalegra requires no introduction. Her growth in the past 4 years has been astonishing and will not be slowing down anytime soon. Never an artist to shy away from baring it all within her albums, Snoh is back with the release of her 3rd full length album aptly titled, TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES.
As has been the case with Snoh since her debut album Feels (2017), the Sade comparisons continue to flurry in. That said, on this album Snoh expands her range and influences throughout. Features on the album are limited to Tyler, The Creator and James Fauntleroy as the only ones invited as guests.
But, this does not detract from the quality or aesthetics. Snoh takes center stage, and rightly so throughout the 15 track project. She is well and truly a stand-alone artist that can influence the entire mood of a track or album on her own. The production as the album title suggests is dreamy and soothing for the soul. Snoh’s songwriting is further expanded on the album also. Whilst the themes remain love / relationship orientated, the way in which these stories are depicted remain liberating as ever.
Jerome Thomas – That Secret Sauce
The sophomore EP from UK based soulstar, Jerome Thomas, is another ode to his nostalgic soul sound that truly captivates. That Secret Sauce is a short collection of 7 tracks that showcase Jerome’s ability to merge old-blues / Soul sonics with a modern day twist.
Sonically, there are huge Blues influences throughout. From its deep thumping basslines to funk-led guitar chords, That Secret Sauce has something for any genuine soul lover. Whilst comparisons are never fair on artists, there are clear parallels on the project ranging from Marvin Gaye to D’Angelo in regards to song construction and allround aethestics.
That said, Jerome takes centre stage and the album remains hugely unique to him despite its throwback style musically. Tracks such as ‘Secret’ and ‘Sauce’ are some of the most soulful tracks you will hear all year. In addition to this, Jerome’s vocal versatility during the 7 track project is simply phenomenal. We are fully supporting this album and is definitely one to have apart of any soul soothing playlists you are playing this summer.
Charlotte Day Wilson – ALPHA
Debut albums are often full of huge anticipations to the point that the execution can sometimes be lacking. Nonetheless, Canada’s Charlotte Day Wilson seems to slip straight through any of these cracks on her debut album ALPHA. The well established singer/songwriter/producer has been on the ascendancy ever since her debut EP CDW in 2016.
ALPHA offers a strongly affirmed overview of who Charlotte Day Wilson is as an all round musician. Nor does she shy from a collaborative opportunity during the album, with features from the likes of Syd, Daniel Caesar and BADBADNOTGOOD all present. Whilst we have been long waiting for an extended body of work from Charlotte, the album is well and truly worth the wait.
From her velvet-soft vocal delivery to the layered production ALPHA provides a mix of strength and vulnerability perfectly well. Sonically, the project leans towards Neo-Soul for the most part whilst remaining eclectic. Additionally, live instrumentation flitters throughout the majority of the album helping to add balance and provide further layers of unpredictability.As we have come to expect from Charlotte at this point, the production on the album is detailed with its array of vocal textures and innovative use of digital effects. ALPHA is glittered with all aspects of Charlotte Day Wilson’s musical artistry as a singer, songwriter and progressive producer.
Emmavie – What’s A Diamond To A Baby
Triple threat producer, singer-songwriter and DJ Emmavie is back with a new EP ‘What’s A Diamond To A Baby’. With 6 our of the 7 tracks self-produced by Emmavie herself, Emmavie merges digitally produced future R&B sounds and live instrumentation on the EP. Features come from the lyrical stylings of East London rapper Kojey Radical, multi-talented jazz musician Alfa Mist and hip hop legend Phonte on lead track ‘Be Mine’, plus many more.
Always happy and able to express the most complex parts of herself through making music, speaking about the EP Emmavie adds; “What’s A Diamond To A Baby’ is a capsule. I wanted to capture a moment that would have people hear me both as how they’ve come to know me and how they’ve never heard me before. The brief was sexy and playful so I captured this in a range of sounds and ideas, shifting gears between contemporary R&B styles, whilst still honouring my signature sound and my biggest inspiration, love. I set the tone opening the project with the naughtiest song on the EP, ‘Trick Me’ featuring Kojey Radical, letting listeners know we’re diving straight in at the deep end”.
Following the release of her self-produced album Honeymoon in 2019, Emmavie was praised by the likes of superstar actor, Idris Elba, world famous DJ and producer DJ Jazzy Jeff and hip hop legend, Phonté who also features on the new EP. Hot on the heels of the album came a string of releases; dropping two collaborative EPs with all-female international collective, Her Songs, a joint project Epoch with renowned London jazz musician, composer and rapper Alfa Mist, whilst also racking up a handful of features and production credits with UK and international artists.
Faye Meana – Sweeter Than Heaven EP
One artist that has the unique ability of always leaving us wanting more is Faye Meana, who this month dropped her new EP titled Sweeter Than Heaven. The project is the follow up to her EP After the Rain which dropped in October 2020.
Faye as we know is a musical mastermind as she is as equally skilled at singing, songwriting and also producing. Her triple threat skillset is splattered all over Sweeter Than Heaven with the 4 track EP being a solely produced project.
In regards to production, Faye takes on alot more of an eclectic direction on the EP. Examples of this can be found on the gritty sound of the intro track ‘Was It Really Love?’ or the Funk based influence found on ‘Better Than Her’, the eclectic soundscapes on show across the four tracks are stunning.
Sweeter Than Heaven sees Faye candidly reflect on her relationships of both the past and present. In addition to this, themes of the many facets of love are touched on throughout. When speaking on the new EP Faye adds:
“I had written this song a few years back after a split with an ex partner. I’d say the lyrics are pretty self explanatory on this one and I’m sure many people would relate this situation; being in a relationship that took you way too long to leave. I originally had produced it completely different but I wasn’t too keen on the sound so I just kept it to the side. As soon as I started producing the beat that melody came into my head immediately”.
Faye Meana truly continues to only get better and we look forward to what she delights us with next!
Madison Paris – Blue Hour EP
Rising singer/songwriter Madison Paris showcases R&B excellence on her new EP Blue Hour. The project contains 5 wonderfully crafted tracks that all effortlessly flow together making for a brilliant musical experience. Featured on the EP are Grammy-nominated Justin Love and singer Zak Messenger.
Despite the EP playing out for 12 minutes, the replay value of the short album is incredible. Whether it is the euphoric dreamy sound of ‘Noughts and Crosses’ or Saxophone infused confidence of ‘Magic’ the EP contains 0 filler. Each track packs its very own unique punch and played back to back slaps as a collective with tonnes of cohesion on show.
Madison’s ability to paint pictures that are vivid through her vocals are second to none with elite levels of songwriting also on display. Blue Hour has an array of different themes touched on. Ranging from the embodiment of change and the ideals of impermanence, to the unique beauty found in moments of uncertainty. Created during 2020, which of course was a year of gigantic change and uncertainty for all, Madison’s take on this is not only unique but it has birthed an EP that will remain timeless.
