Your essential listening, the best Soul and R&B albums of 2022. Featuring the best of R&B and Soul in 2022 – R&B albums from Steve Lacy, Robert Glasper, Ari Lennox, Ravyn Lenae and many more underground gems.
The R&B genre has been living its best life this year. Time and time again our our eardrums and souls have been blessed and we want to shout our our favourite albums and EPs of the year. Funk, Soul, Jazz, Hip Hop, Grunge, you’ll find a fusion of these genres mixed in with R&B. Alongside unfiltered, honest energy that is wrapped in joy and the wonder of self-discovery. Notifications on silent and headphones on? Let’s get into it. Our Best Soul and R&B Albums of 2022.
Untidy Soul – Samm Henshaw
Church was one of Samm Henshaw’s first introductions into music. Playing the drums at four he then picked up the piano and guitar in his teens. Now at 28, he has released an elegantly soulful and infectiously uplifting debut album. For fans of a young John Legend, Samm’s raspy voice is perfectly complemented by the gospel influences and melodious choirs on tracks like‘8:16’ and ‘Joy’ . There is a continuous influence of Jazz from the background adlibs to the sounds of trumpeter Keyon Harrold on ‘Still Broke’, a tale about getting lost in money only to end up cashless and friendless.
Love is explored throughout the album, such as the playful song ‘Chicken Wings’, a plea for good company and food. ‘Love by You’ a song filled with promises of being someone’s relief, and ‘East Detroit’ where over the steady and seductive bass, he pines for an old lover. Untidy Soul has no particular journey but much like the title it is a compilation of various thoughts and feelings. Overall this album tells us that sometimes the person in the way of your own joy is yourself. And it’s a delightful listen whilst doing that. This is definitely one of 2022’s best albums period.
Marigold – Alex Isley
Jazz Studies graduate and classically trained artist Alex Isley grew up immersed in music. Her Father was legendary singer Ernie Isley of the Isley Brothers, and her Grandmother an opera singer – it’s clear to see how these influences shape her music today. In her joint album with producer Jack Dine, Alex Isley’s songs blend seamlessly into one another to produce what is surely one of the best Soul / R&B albums of 2022. We should note that this power producer-singer duo have made musical magic many times before. Most notably on Alex Isley’s 2020 hit, Good & Plenty.
The quintessence of soft modern R&B, it’s easy to sink into Isley’s voice like a cloud and let the album whisper stories of love to you. She details the pain of love in ‘Too Bad I Forget’, before moving on in ‘Love Again’ – carried by a romantic acoustic guitar. The recognisable swag of Robert Glasper is featured on ‘Still Wonder’ which feels more layered than some of the other tracks which seem purposely exposed, perhaps a nod to the ever-changing journey of love itself.
11 – SAULT
Mystery music collective SAULT didn’t let the year end without blessing us with another studio album, this time titled 11. This was one of the five albums released for free that they said was made as an offering to God. 11 is 44 minutes of mantras, spiritual tenderness and solidarity. “Marching together, the strength is in us” summing up the sentiments of the albums. 11 offers a mix of soul and disco, with ‘Together’ carrying a funky beat.
Soulful track ‘Higher’ then encourages listeners to reflect and seek joy and hope as we head into another year. ‘Glory’ is one of the several tracks that includes warming reggae vocals to carry the message of unity. Featuring a pop rock closing as the electric guitar strums to the words “Take your time to know what you want if you can use the mind control.” It’s a comforting album that reminds listeners to look within themselves, their community and God to be the change.
HYPNOS – Ravyn Lenae
HYPNOS captures the stunning versability of Ravyn Lenae’s alluring voice, which is both delicate and otherworldly. It is an alternative R&B album of balmy harmonies and perfectly selected features. Lenae’s first single ‘Skin Tight’ with Steve Lacy is a dream combination. Both singers share a relaxed and ethereal energy that has created a sadly soft tale of a lovers parting.
One of the many things to love about this album is the storytelling. Not only is it beautifully composed but the lyrics were written to move you as much as the beat. Take the self-love track ‘Inside Out’ as an example, “I wonder why suddenly I can fly, No one can shake me now, And there were times you’d take me high to break me down, Then I’d come back around.” Her final single Xtasy was later remixed with rapper Doechii and producer KAYTRANADA, pumping a steady electric beat. HYPNOS feels like you’ve been pulled into a tight embrace with your best friend on the dancefloor. Let loose and let her hypnotic cadence move you in this spectacular alternative R&B album.
NO THANK YOU – Little Simz
Little Simz dropped her fifth album without warning and jumped straight into her critiques and thoughts on the music industry. The album was produced by Inflo who worked with her Sometimes I Might Be Introvert and GREY Area. Overall, the album feels more mellow compared to the drama and suspense of its predecessor. However, NO THANK YOU’s subtly works in it’s favour for centering on the message Simz has to share.
The opening track ‘Angel’ reflects on her rise to fame and her distaste towards the capitalist culture within the music industry “I refuse to be on a slave ship, give me all my masters and lower your wages”. The album follows this theme and lists something without stuttering. NO THANK YOU includes no features, but friend and collaborator Cleo Sol’s vocals can be heard sprinkled throughout the album. There is also the occasional choir such as on ‘X‘. The haunting harmonies help Simz express her frustrations about the treatment of Black people within the industry – “Undervalued, under-appreciated in the workplace /Why I give you my ideas in the first place?”. NO THANK YOU is an album that makes you think “I’m glad somebody said it.”
age/sex/location – Ari Lennox
The velvety vocals of Ari Lennox came to feed the appetite of the R&B obsessed with her sophomore album that sounds like a woman confident in her power. From the first track, POF, Ari Lennox makes it clear that she’s the new-age queen of Neo-Soul music. In the R&B album landscape, age/sex/location immediately and consistently stakes its peg in Neo-Soul.
‘POF’ immediately calls out the nonsense behaviour of men she has interacted with. Then on ‘Queen Space’ featuring Summer Walker she talks of the value of her love. As always, Lennox remains humorous with her storytelling with lyrics like “All cap, niggas hat-fishing, Why I don’t see no picture with your hat missing? Rug rat prison, Bare flippin’ five kids, but you’re back pimpin’.” Overall, the album feels mature and provides us with sexy slow jams like ‘Hoodie’ and preppy sexy tunes like ‘Pressure’. It’s an album that confidently portrays a change in perspective when it comes to love with consistent messaging and delivery just to let us know she means this ‘ish.
Gemini Rights – Steve Lacy
Inspired by a breakup with a boyfriend, Steve Lacy came through with an indie pop meets psychedelic funk and Soul combination in his second studio album, Gemini Rights. The beginning of his third track ‘Mercury’ sounds like it belongs on a Isley Brothers album. It then follows through with ‘60s bossa nova, a genre that was a marriage between samba and cool jazz. However, he still manages to provide pop rock vibes reminiscent of the early 2000s in ‘Helmet’ and ‘Bad Habit’ . Both of which could belong as the lead track in a noughties high school rom com. Lacy offers us a slow rhythmic love song in ‘Give You the World’ and dramatic promises in ‘Sunshine’ featuring Fousheê. The guitar of course plays a large role in Gemini Rights, it’s a highlight of the album second to the man himself.
Starfruit – Moonchild
Laid-back jazz trio Moonchild have featured some of the most characteristic voices on their romantic album Starfruit. It begins g with the warm deep voice of Lalah Hathaway coupled with Moonchild’s Amber Navran’s whispery vocals which land softly like a feather. A magical combination of two comforting voices on one record. In ‘Get By’, New Orleans band Tank and the Bangas join with Tarriona “Tank” Ball, matching Amber’s softness before playfully mixing it up, a testimonial to their effortless ability to be experimental. Mumu Fresh can be found on ‘Don’t Hurry Home’, where her flow is playful and lyrics flirtatious. Starfruit is a beautiful, tranquil album to be shared with friends on a balmy summer evening.
Black Radio III – Robert Glasper
It’s been almost 10 years since the four time Grammy Award Winner Robert Glasper released his last Black Radio Album. This time around he begins with a track lyrically capturing the power and intentionality of music for Black people. “Dreams let loose in the pure hearts with divine acoustics, We lay blueprints at the blue note, I come from a people transmuted, transformed by song”, as told to us by spoken word poet Amir Sulaiman. In true Robert Glasper style he’s taken an iconic song ‘Everybody wants to rule the world’ by Tears for Fears, and given it a new home. It features the layered voice of Lalah Hathaway before rapper Common lyrically dives deeper into the ominously gleeful song.
Robert Glasper’s albums guarantee collabs with some of the most legendary voices in the jazz and soul scene. From PJ Morton and India Arie whose lullaby-like voices feature on ‘Forever’, and jazz powerhouses Gregory Porter and Ledisi on ‘It Don’t Matter’. Both songs are about love, one more pure and sure and the other complicated and passionate.
Hummingbird – bLAck pARty
bLAck pARty’s voice is tender and gentle, fitting perfectly for his first four tracks that are various interpretations of groove. The final five songs all feature collaborations, from the distinct sound of Kari Faux on ‘BOMB’ to Childish Gambino on ‘I Love You More Than You Know‘. The latter is a song whose beat and airy atmosphere feels as if you’re floating. Only to then be grounded by the slight grit in Gambino’s voice and lyrics. On ‘Hummingbird’, bLAck pARty said “The album is a journey about self love, romantic love and parental love. It represents the evolution of human experience.”
Hummingbirds are the only birds to fly backwards, and it seems that a lot of looking back has gone into the creation of this album. From regretting the lost of a lover in ‘She’s Gone’ to learning his lesson and “speedin’ down highways to make it to you” in ‘On My Way’. Each song was carefully placed to compliment it’s surrounding track with the singer sharing that he “put songs together like they’re brother and sister”. Which has led to an R&B album that is an eternal story of the variations of love.
Forest in the City – UMI
Umi’s debut album Forest in the City begins with ‘sorry’. A song detailing her wish list on topics from relationships to travel plans and career milestones. “I wanna be good to friends that I have / I wanna go to Tokyo, Rome and France”. It’s a song apologising to her own self for not trusting in her gut and living in the present enough. ‘sorry’ is the perfect beginning track that much like a forest is full of growth and potential.
Other standout songs include ‘wish that I could’ which features a heavier bass to compliment transcendental vocals. Then in ‘everything will be alright’ Umi switches between Japanese and English as she talks of the beginning process of making sense of her emotions. To be a forest in the city is to be a place of refuge and serenity and this album feels like that safe haven. But it’s also possible that standing out in such a way would be a difficult thing to experience which explains her own narration of self growth throughout the album. Forest in the City is a refreshing R&B album that melds elements of the genre with Pop and Indie sounds.
Yesterday is Heavy – Lil Silva
British producer Lil Silva, credited for contributions to Adele’s album 25, Bank’s Goddess and more has now released his first album. Working across an eclectic range of artists and sounds throughout his career has led to a sonically rich album.
It include feature s from artists such as Swedish electronic band Little Dragon on ‘Be Cool’, which accurately to its name has an icy feel to it. ‘Leave it’ includes the deep and dreamy vocals of Charlotte Day Wilson who helps to tell the story of two people healing one another’s wounds. It’s a hopeful track whose energy picks up halfway much as the characters have done with one another.
Silva doesn’t shy away from electronic inspirations which creates a higher energy throughout. However, he continues to add his beloved depth and darkness to music which is found in the use of various rhythms, frequencies and instruments such as the bass guitar in ‘To the Floor’. Yesterday is Heavy is a unique album which has clearly been made by someone who has a wealth of experience, inspiration and intentionality.
Candydrip – Lucky Daye
From getting into the top 20 of American Idol 2015, Lucky Daye went on to co-write songs for artists such as Boyz II Men, Ella Mai and Mary J Blige. It’s guaranteed that the talented ‘Roll Some Mo‘ singer will provide you with seductive vibes in this R&B album. The sultry and sugared tunes are enagaginly sensuous, from ‘God Body’ to ‘Fuckin Sound’. Balanced with a dreamy sounding track ‘Compassion’ featuring Chiiild, and heartfelt tunes like ‘Fever’ and ‘Over’. Candydrip captures the lust, love and confusion of romance, all presented to listeners via the smoothe voice of Lucky Daye.
When Flowers Bloom – Adria Kain
An echoing voice welcomes us in the first track ‘Garden Entrance’, where Toronto based artist Adria Kain sings in awe about her lover of interest. When Flowers Bloom is an admirably vulnerable and deeply soulful R&B album. ‘Alone in Kenzo’ is a standout record whose rhythmic beat and funky edge is as persuasive as the lyrics. Throughout the album Adria Kain bares her soul over gentle yet captivating R&B melodies. Tracks are often accompanied by distant saxophones and dominant pianos such as on ‘Never Change’ featuring Leila Day. When Flowers Bloom finishes with ‘Garden Exit’, an intentionally named song for a trip around this garden of blooming revelations. It’s a stunning finale whose power is backed by a choir to push the momentous sense of this being both a farewell and opening of a new chapter.
JúJú & The Flowerbug – Sunni Colon
Head to JúJú & The Flowerbug for retro groove vibes. A funky bass guitar carrys the heartbeat of this album and Sunni Colon’s breezy vocals is the spirit. ‘Less is More’ and ‘Rhythm to Ya Love’ are two examples of this destined combination. Whereas ‘Provide’ plays with jazz melodies to create feel-good nostalgic vibes for a hazy summer’s day. Throw on this psychedelic album on your next sultry bank holiday. Just make sure you take time to appreciate the soul of the album found in the lyrics woven between the upbeat rhythm and his velvety voice.
Three Dimensions Deep – Amber Mark
Amber Mark writes and produces all her songs, creating an authentic and insightful collection. While it presents itself as a lively pop-R&B album, it is in actuality a rolling revelation of self discovery. Three Dimensions Deep is a story of healing and progression after heartache. It’s a comfortably relatable album and in it’s reminder that healing isn’t linear. From ‘Healing Hurts’, which tales this uncomfortable process, to ‘Bubbles’ which plays with the idea of going “out out” and sipping on bubbles to get over lost days wallowing in regret. Three Dimensions Deep gives listeners a chance to dance with her funky bouncy tunes such as ‘What It Is’, and be thoughtful with tracks such as ‘Bliss’, ‘Cosmic’ and ‘Event Horizon’.
Flora + Fana – Fana Hues
Fana Hues is a compassionate singer, whose radiance and honesty is clearly and uncomplicatedly received. Her sweet and light voice makes Flora + Fana an easy listen. The album feels like a diary of inner musings and monologues written amongst long grass and fluttering butterflies. The sounds have a celestial beauty to them, bright, magical and breezy. There is also a mystical funk feel to her tracks like ‘High Roller’. This is also true to sentimental love songs ‘Rain’ and ‘DayxDay’ which talks about the process of healing. Here she repeats the words “taking it day by day by day by day’’ like a mantra to be spoken in your mirror. An album best listened to whilst it’s raining outside.
Reason to Smile – Kojey Radical
Following on from his 2019 album Cashmere Tears, Kojey Radical has released another powerful album with sincere and thoughtful, yet witty lyrics. Making for a vigorous and funky start, the namesake song – carried by his distinctively gravelly voice paired with the golden melodies of the likes of Tiana Major9 – gleefully focuses on the idea that in spite of any hardships there’s still a Reason to Smile. An album with a variety of features, we are also treated to the silky voice of Masego on a track appropriately named ‘Silk’. Whilst Kojey is an energetic rapper, the album still leaves us with some softer late night drive tunes, such as ‘Beautiful’ featuring Wretch 32 and Shakka, a song for winning your boo back so take note.
Notably, Reason to Smile, like a lot of Kojey’s music, speaks proudly to the black experience. You can also add Kojey’s ‘FUBU’ to your Black Joy playlist. It details wanting black success, whilst questioning how to maintain it. “Will the hood still love me if they love overseas? Is it really love or are they really selling dreams? Should I drop the album on Black Pound Day Or will they still support it just ’cause it sound great?”. The words Black pain, Black love is repeated throughout, alongside “for us, by us, just us”, suggesting that these questions and goals are ones for the Black community to answer collectively.
Reason to Smile was fittingly nominated for the prestigious, Mercury Prize for the Best British albums of the past year.
Remember your North Star – Yaya Bey
The first track, ‘intro’ sounds like she’s leaving a voicemail setting the tone for the album’s energy, “Fed up bitch, I just won’t let up bitch, I take my foot up off your neck when I feel like bitch.” The album consists of calm, melodic lo-fi beats mixed with jazz influences. However, there is a surprise reggae influenced track ‘meet me in brooklyn’ as you progress. The lovers-rock-esque tune is completed by one of her humour interludes that brings us back to reality – “Y’all dancing it’s fun it’s easy and the next thing you that nigga sleeping on your couch.” ‘reprise’ brings back jazz influences with a trumpet singing in the background as Bey raps and sings in unison. One of the best elements of Remember your North Star is Yaya Bey’s narrative, her stories are funny, wise and matter-of-fact.
Watch The Sun – PJ Morton
We can always rely on PJ Morton for an authentic union between soul and gospel. With his song ‘Please Don’t Walk Away’ already nominated for the 2023 grammy for best R&B song. PJ Morton’s smooth voice and intergenerational features have led to an album that makes you want to say “now this is what you call real music”. Such as the forever perfect combination of PJ Morton and JoJo features once again in ‘My Peace’, sampling Outkast’s ‘SpottieOttieDopaliscious’ in the process. Trumpets then uplift listeners in ‘So Long’, a story of trying to win a girl back which is even more persuasive with Wale’s alluring twang and crisp flow.
For beloved gospel harmonies and rhythms ‘Lil’ Too Heavy’ is where it’s at. It lets us know that it’s okay to ask for a helping hand when the weight of the world is feeling a little too heavy. Watch The Sun begins with the words “I can’t promise it’s gon’ be easy but as sure as the sun sets and rises again, so are you”. From the start it is an uplifting album centred in love and utilising both rhythm and blues.
Where I’m Meant To Be – Ezra Collective
The five piece jazz collective’s second album Where I’m Meant To Be begins as it means to go with an energetic and elevating amapiano/gqom infused jazz track with Sampha the Great. It’s the first of their albums to chart the UK top 40 and it’s easy to see why. Where I’m Meant To Be is a celebratory album that instantly feels joyful. You can even hear laughter sprinkled in the background of ‘Victory Dance’. Heads up, you’re going to have to get up and dance throughout the album so don’t get too comfy.
In ‘Togetherness’ Jorja Smith makes a brief entrance as they nod to Damian Marley’s ‘Jamrock’ with Smith singing “out on the street they call it Ezra”. The piano bops and bounces with what sound like djembe drums making an appearance in the background. ’Togetherness’ is followed by another reggae inspired track ‘Ego Killah’ which captures the sweet hazy heat of the caribbean, with breezes of the trumpets and saxophones harmonies. It’s a celebratory album which also treats us to the distinctively soulful voices of Emeli Sande and NAO.
Wanderlust – Durand Bernarr
One thing about Durand Bernarr, he’s going to bring charisma to everything he does. Bernarr is playful and injects fun into his performances both physically and vocally. The first track ‘Boundaries’ already sets people in their place, as he repeatedly sings “i’m setting boundaries”. Compliment with “it’s giving hell no” and displeased “ughs!” scattered throughout.
The album will impress listeners due to the range of his vocals but also because they’ll genuinely laugh out loud. Take the track ‘Lil Bit’ where he exclaims that his boo can’t be finer than him – “beauty doesn’t work for me / that’s not what I need / cause I want my baby a little bit ugly.” Whereas ‘Mango Butter’ has a seductive groove to it, from his gorgeous harmonies to lying reminding us that “i’m a bad bitch, i’ that nigga.” Then in ‘New Management’ he brings in a New Orleans swing, with a storytime to match. Bernarr’s infectious personality is captured throughout and his confidence bounces from one track to the next.
Closer – Kenyon Dixon
Kenyon Dixon had previously recorded with PJ Morton, written for the likes of Mary J.Blige and performed as backing vocalist for John Legend and more. He’s taken his wealth of R&B experience and poured it into Closer. This album is a collection of sexy love songs for the after dark, sensual playlists. The opening track title ‘Marvin Gaye’ references the quiet-storm singers famous song ‘Sexual Healing’ throughout.
However, he does break from the romance in ‘Get High, Get By’ with D Smoke. Other than loving, “we just drink and get high” to get through the routine of life, it’s a smooth song with a steady beat for synchronised head bopping with a drink in hand. Don’t worry though, because the late night sultry vibes continue with ‘Love on Replay’ featuring Tiffany Gouche. Dixon provides a song for every scenario from missing your boo on ‘Here’, featuring stunning harmonies and runs with Susan Carol to ending up in the ‘Friend Zone’ in a slow and thoughtful song of the same name.
Could We Be More – Kokoroko
Could We Be More is the debut album from eight-piece musical group Kokoroko. In 2018 they garnered the attention of jazz fans with the release of ‘Abusey Junction‘ in a self titled EP. Much like the title, the album sounds as if the band are attempting to awaken something within their listeners. Motivating listeners by providing us with a soundtrack for reformation, particularly on track ‘War Dance’ and ‘Something’s Going On’.
The album has a strong opening with the track ‘Tojo’. It includes mystical electronics before bringing us back to reality with grounding beats in ‘Blue Robe’. Influences from West Africa can also be found sprinkled across the 15 tracks from highlife to afrobeats. ‘We Give Thanks’ is a warm joyful song with vocals passionate and slightly warped in the distance. ‘Dide O’ is a standout track with a notable emotional depth to it. Similarly ‘Age of Ascent’ feels as if it gently lifts listeners above the clouds with the bass guitar keeping you company on your journey. Could We Be More is a thoughtful album which provokes us to challenge ourselves without needing to find the words to express it.
Broken Hearts Club – Syd
From collectives Odd Future and The Internet, Syd continues to explore her own style in Broken Hearts Club. Welcoming us back with her unmistakably captivating voice. The first few tracks are lust filled and rose-tinted, feeling as if you’re eavesdropping into a personal phone call. Pop-esque tracks ‘Tie The Knot’ and ‘Fast Car’ are excitable with their buoyant beats. However, the mood of being caught up in the thrill of love switches by ‘Out Loud’, where her lover pulls away from her. The album’s penultimate track is ‘Goodbye My Love’, with her vocals only appearing in the second half of the song, making it the most thoughtful and emotional one on the album. Broken Hearts Club is a story of falling in and out of love, all whilst displaying the questionable yet irresistible urge to want to get up and do it all over again.
blue water road – Kehlani
Just dropped and certainly one of 2022’s best albums. Kehlani has always been adept at creating a fusion of Pop and R&B that is still unconventional and musically rich. On blue water road, she does this again. On blue water road, Kehlani breaks with the moody aesthetic of a lot of contemporary R&B (think Summer Walker, Sza). blue water road is refreshingly upbeat with nuance and Kehlani’s signature dexterical lyricism. Packed with hits, a standout moment is the wistfully beautiful everything. wish i never also manages to sample Montell Jordan’s This is how we do it well… a true feat!
Lyrically, blue water road is an album of honest reflection and vulnerable on a number of areas of life from love, to friendships, money, strip clubs. Lyrically confident and fluently employing stacato and other mechanisms across its verses and hooks so the never album never loses momentum, this is Kehlani’s most mature album to date.
Motherland Journey – Blue Lab Beats
Self named jazztronica duo, artists NK-OK and Mr DM make up the band Blue Lab, and they have crafted together a euphoric mood-lifting album. The background murmurings in the tracks make you feel as if you’re watching them live at a jazz festival on a sunny day. Blue Lab have satisfyingly fused together Jazz, Afrobeats and R&B in their full length debut. From the soft voice of Ego Ella May featured alongside a jazzy electronic keys solo in ‘Slow Down’, to jovial afrobeat tunes ‘Blow You Away’ and ‘Sensual’, both featuring Ghetto Boy. Motherland Journey leaves space for the instrumentalists to shine, especially in the signature track which also includes vocals of the late Fela Kuti.
BONUS: The Best Soul and R&B EPs of 2022
The Lead – FLO
Everyone’s favourite R&B girl group FLO released a 5 track EP during the summer of 2022. Providing ultimate nostalgic 00s vibes that have kept the R&B lovers of all generations well fed. Since then they have been announced as the 2023 BRITs Rising Star award and recently released a new single titled ‘Losing You’. We’re excited for more of FLOs harmonious melodies.
The Right Side of Wrong – Sophie Faith
Created during the pandemic, in her own words, Sophie Faith said that this EP is “about wanting to just get on with the new reality of what life is like and embracing the change”. You can feel the weight of her emotions throughout the album, especially on ‘Heart Is On My Sleeve’, which is carried mainly by R&B inspiration but has a gospel nod to it, mellow and moving. It’s a stunning EP that holds and sways with you.
Bad Influence – Ojerime
The captivating and sultry voice of Ojerime returns in her latest EP Bad Influence. Her voice echoes throughout the 9 tracks as she delivers rich and moody lyrics and melodies. Bad Influence also includes features from Mura Masa in tune ‘Keep it Lo’, Jesse James Solomon in ‘Local’ and Iman Europe in ‘Mantra’.
Adultsville – Bellah
Adultsville is a diary entry of a young woman’s journey into adulthood. The first track tells us to beware of pickpockets and “hold onto your heart, your integrity and if you can your innocence”. She details the complications of love in songs like ‘Garden’ and ‘In the Moment’‘. Alongside the woes of bills, boys, family and friends in the all too relatable ‘Always Something’. For the people playing ‘Evil Eye’ on repeat this year, the EP also treats us to an extended version.
Unorthodox – Shaé Universe
One of the most unique and captivating voices in UK R&B, Shaé Universe’s latest EP combines R&B with quintessential drill beats. It will make you want to turn the bass up in your car so your arrival is known. Beginning with ‘You Lose’, featuring a flip on a classic Garage lyric, Shaé Universe shows off her ability to flawlessly move from singing to rap and back again. This EP is a declaration of independence, an awareness of her self-worth and a reclaiming of power. The poetic lyrics of Enny are featured on ‘Sit Back’ and Tay Iwar joins in on ‘Shineee’, a song filled with ethereal harmonies. It’s an EP that makes us excited to hear more blending of genres in future projects.
Getaway – Orion Sun
This is an EP that will sweep you away from your own thoughts and stresses and bring you to the magical wonderland that is Getaway. Orion Sun’s voice is euphonious and somewhat innocent sounding, which contrasts beautifully with the sensual lyrics of ‘Concrete’. In ‘Pressure’ ,Orion Sun sings about the pressures of life weighing her down. However, the subject doesn’t make the song feel heavy, rather the lo-fi style creates a freeing atmosphere. It’s hard to not become infatuated with Getaway as she explores all the different emotions that come with love. Such as ‘Dirty Dancer’ where she toils with her own loneliness and confience in the face of possibly loving and being loved. It’s an alluring project that will enchant you even more after the first listen.
SHE MIGHT BLEED – SIPHO
Brimingham-based Artist SIPHO brings drama and power to his latest project, wrapped in rhythm and blues with grungy overtones. She Might Bleed is a theatrical EP that will have you performing in your mirror a little too hard. It is lyrically stunning, particularly on ‘Beady Eyes’, a supernova of a track which contains some of the best lyrics from an R&B artist this year. It is poetic, raw, dramatic and there’s depth and purpose to his words. It’s of no surprise the next track is titled ‘Deep Breaths’, because that’s the only logical thing to be doing after the passion delivered prior. SIPHO has a voice that is simultaneously rough and smooth. Making for a captivating EP that needs to be listened to with no distractions.
