The New Tunes We Can’t Stop Playing October 2019

It’s black history month in the UK and fittingly, this month’s On The Wave playlist update celebrates 5 standout projects by black British women that blessed our ears in September. Get into why the projects from Layfullstop, Mahalia, Hamzaa, Ego Ella May and Zilo are must-spins down below.

Layfullstop – Cherries

Amalgamations of Jazz, Soul & Hip-Hop are all on display from blossoming Manchester-based artist, Layfullstop. The follow-up to her stellar Colour Reaction Mixtape released last year, Cherries, opens us up to us a different side of the singer-rapper. An artist with a clear identity and the ability to mesh sounds and still make them her own, Layfullstop is only going from strength to strength.

Mahalia – Love and Compromise

Mahalia’s rise has been timely, steady and thrilling to watch. Since signing her first deal aged 13, the talent was always plain to see. Her debut album not only exemplifies her progression as an artist but also gives a clear idea of things she has encountered in the ups and downs of love.

Sonically, the album is brilliant R&B at its roots, yet offers a variety of eclectic production, which blends things fantastically well all around. Themes delve into all aspects of love and everything it entails, however, it is Mahalia’s clearcut ability to translate this lyrically which really stands out. Currently in the midst of her North America, with European dates to follow, Mahalia is waving the R&B/Soul flag brilliantly well.

Watch the amazing visual of What You Did the single featuring another R&B queen Ella Mai and give Love & Compromise a spin.

Hamzaa – Phases

An artist that oozes soul from the moment sound leaves her lips, Hamzaa released her second project of 2019, Phases. The follow up to her wonderfully executed First Signs of Me does not disappoint at all. A fresh, upbeat furnish with Hamzaa’s sweet-strong vocals and honest songwriting that cleverly brings together the best of contemporary pop & Soul. Hamzaa, is another artist breaking waves in the new cusp of R&B talent and is an artist that you should be getting familiar with.

Ego Ella May – So Far

South London neo-jazz gem, Ego Ella May, released her debut LP this month and this one moves your core from the jump. Eclectic yet genuinely soulful production, angelic vocals alongside the lyrical ability to pertinently paint vivid pictures are just some of the key ingredients that we are blessed with on So Far. Fusions of Neo-Soul and Jazz, are wonderfully sprinkled across all 10 tracks making for an undoubtedly unforgettable listening experience. Simply put, Ego Ella May is an artist full of substance and here for the long-run.

Zilo – Gorgeous

After dropping easily one of the standout R&B albums of 2018, The Nature of The Beast, Zilo is back with her sophomore album Gorgeous. Sonically, Zilo continues in her bag of eclectic, experimental R&B. However, things are a lot more funky in places such as on the intro track Sweet Like. Lyrically, things also sway much more to the relationship side of love. 10 tracks of angelic vocals and persistent head bobbing Gorgeous is a brilliant project and only cements Zilo’s place in the current R&B spectrum.

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Track of the week: Madison McFerrin reminds us all to ‘Try’

The Brooklyn singer-songwriter recently announced a new EP titled, ‘You + I’ which is set for release on November 5th. Try is the lead single off the project and touches on the ability to continue on despite any form of external backlash or unacceptance. She performed the track pre-release for COLORS a few months ago.

Madison explains, “I wrote this song not just to remind myself that I can do whatever I set my mind to, but to remind everyone else. Sometimes we just need an extra push. You get to decide how your story ends. I’m incredibly grateful for the community that has joined me on my journey.”

A monumentally relatable topic and brilliantly executed by Madison on this single, with poignant visuals to match. It’s the slice of neo-Neo-Soul you need in your life. Looking forward to hearing the full EP as well as tracking her future progress.

Track of the week: Layfullstop ‘PMT’

Whether singing or rapping, Manchester-based musician, Layfullstop always delivers and her latest EP, Cherries is all the proof you need. PMT, a single off the stellar project is this week’s top pick, but if you love smooth, witty lyricism laid atop lush, smooth, production and musicianship, you NEED to give this EP several spins.

PMT oozes soulful nostalgia with empowering lyricism. Itexemplifies Layfullstop’s confidence, as well as witty wordplay over the backdrop of a melodically hitting beat.

“For me, as a woman, I’m continually inspired by the way that we as females exhibit strength, from our physical ability to our vulnerability – we show no limits.” The singer / rapper continues, “Day after day, we get up, putting on brave faces whilst juggling our emotions and expectations that we should be ‘doing better’ or ‘feeling better’.⁣ And at times, it becomes worse, unbearable almost..”

“So for me, ‘PMT’ is about pushing boundaries despite how you may think or feel, in order to become the person you know you can and want to be.”

Track of the Week: Rachel Foxx questions ‘Is it Me?’

East Londoner, Rachel Foxx, is back in a big way with her latest single Is It Me? The 24-year-old singer / songwriter is another artist carrying the torch high and proud in the UK’s ever-evolving R&B scene.

Foxx is a genuine amalgamation of everything brilliant about R&B in 2019, making her certainly an artist to watch. Rachel Foxx illustrates the crossroads of where the past meets the future. Something clearly evident on her latest track, Is It Me?

As she recently revealed “When I wrote Is It Me? I was thinking about the first stages of dating, the uncertainty, the excitement. I say, ‘Are you seeing what I’m seeing?’ I want to know if it’s mutual.”

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Track of the Week: Rachel Foxx questions ‘Is it Me?’

Track of the Week: Zilo reveals she’ll ‘Be There Soon’

One of our fave chilled R&B favourites, Zilo is back with a steamy new single Be There Soon.

Fresh off the back of easily one of 2018’s best R&B albums, The Nature of The Beast, Zilo illustrates her sultry soulfulness on the new single.

After co-signs from the likes of Kehlani, Zilo truly is coming into her own and Be There Soon is a track that cements this. A genuine head bopper, Zilo effortlessly harmonises her way through the track. This is one you wanna play over again and again.

Melodically flawless, Be There Soon oozes sauce and will most definitely sizzle any summer’s day when it’s playing.

Track of the week: Madison McFerrin reminds us all to ‘Try’

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The New Tunes We Can’t Stop Playing July 2019

And just like that, we’re officially in the second half of 2019! Worry not however, as summer is here and bringing plenty of sunshine to our ears. This past month, we got a surprise album from Daniel Caesar, a much-awaited third album from Jordan Rakei and a bunch of EPs that had us on our feet.

Our best picks of the delightful bunch of R&B / Soul releases of the month below featuring Rachel Chinouriri, Monet, Pip Millett and more.

Mood: Songs of Summer ’19

As August kicks off, reality hits that summer ’19 is slowly but surely coming to an end. But every cloud indeed has a silver lining. We’ve got all the summer joints you should be bumpin to keep summer in your ears.

From soulfully stellar albums from the likes of Ari Lennox and Lucky Daye to lit singles from Malia, Baby Rose & Zilo, Summer ’19 has not disappointed.

Summer Highlights

2019 has been a huge year for Baby Rose. The 24-year-old made a bold entrance into the R&B-soul world dropping three (yes, three) brilliant tracks on the same day. Rose’s three singles, Borderline, Mortal and Sold Out, are merely touching the surface on what lies next for the uniquely sounding Atlanta-based songstress. She is set to be supporting Snoh Aalegra on her forthcoming European tour this September.

Speaking of Snoh Aalegra, she has also been back in a big way following the huge success of the debut album FEELS in 2017. Her new album ironically titled, Ugh, those feels again, lands August 16th and below the video to its lead single I Want You Around. An artist you quite simply cannot afford to sleep on.

Leven Kali, also came through with the EP Low Tide and the lead single, Do U Wrong, featuring Syd just oozes summer sounds in your ears whether your in the whip or taking a summer stroll. Here are the visuals for this blazing track!

Last but nowhere least is Mahalia’s single featuring Burna Boy titled, Simmer. A track that just rings off as soon as play is pressed! The Beenie Man sample used from the jump sets the summer sounding tone and then Mahalia and Burna Boy do their thing. This could easily be the banger of summer ‘19.

And these tunes are just touching the surface of what has been released. There has been countless amounts of dope music from the likes of Emotional Oranges, Alex Isley, Amber Mark, Pip Millet, Goldlink, Kadeem Tyrell, BJ The Chicago Kid, Elle Varner, Kara Marni, Hana Jean Deaux and Malia. The list of great music is truly endless and on the whole Summer ‘19 has given us more than enough joints to keep us well and truly simmered.

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On The Wave: The New Tunes We Can’t Stop Playing July 2019

Our best picks of the delightful bunch of R&B / Soul releases of the month below featuring Rachel Chinouriri, Monet, Pip Millett and more.

The super talented 19 year old Londonder, dropped her immaculate debut EP, Mama’s Boy, this month. 4 tracks full of captivating alternative soul, Chinouriri simply put is an artist that should be on your radar. Blessed with not only heart soothing vocals her storytelling abilities are up there with the very best in the growing UK scene.

The project which spans just under 15 mins showcases Rachel’s varied skill-set as an artist. Despite the tracks being very succinct, each track shows off a different element both lyrically and sonically.

Off the back her headline show earlier in the month at Hackney’’s MOTH Club, be sure to follow Rachel Chinouriri’s journey as she is set to only go from strength to strength.

Jordan Rakei – Origin

Jordan Rakei followed up to his fantastic 2017 album Wallflower, this month with Origin. Musically, it’s a vibrant blend of smooth jazz, neo-soul, funk with a sprinkling of retro R&B.

As a result, lyrically, Rakei shines light on his wider thoughts and fears about the human experience. A concoction of themes don’t detract from the wonderfully vividly rich, hook-laden songs as Rakei wrenches himself clear of his comfort zone to dazzling effect.

On the whole Rakei again illustrates his ability to experiment with his soulful progressive sound which has him up there in the high echelons soulful R&B.

So there you have it, June delivered yet another month of standout soulful music. Below are some dope singles which also deserve an honourable mention as well as a definite listen:

MONET leaves it all to bare on Off The Record

MONET leaves it all to bare on Off The Record.

South London based MONET dropped an amazing debut EP at the end of June. Full of brutal honesty throughout the poet/singer provides 17 mins of pure bliss across 6 tracks. Varied sonically, but consistently soulful this is certainly not an EP to sleep on.

MONET is definitely another artist worth keeping close tabs on within the new hub of UK orientated soulful R&B and Off The Record illustrates her talent in this genre.

Fresh off the back of her amazing Colors performance of her single Make Her Cry in April, Manchester soul singer Pip Millett released EP Do Well this month.

Anyone familiar with Pip, knows that she is an exceptional songwriter with heartfelt relatable lyrics. Do Well is no exception in this regard and provides this in abundance over 4 tracks. Soulfully mesmerising Pip Millett is a singer that again is only getting better and better artistically and sonically.

Visually she treated us to a compilation video which includes all 4 tracks off the project. Be sure to check this out below.

For more details on our products and services, please feel free to visit us at: The Blues Project,R&B blog,R&B website,Soul music blog,Soul music.

Mood: Songs of Summer ’19

From soulfully stellar albums from the likes of Ari Lennox and Lucky Daye to lit singles from Malia, Baby Rose & Zilo, Summer ’19 has not disappointed.

Summer Highlights

2019 has been a huge year for Baby Rose. The 24-year-old made a bold entrance into the R&B-soul world dropping three (yes, three) brilliant tracks on the same day. Rose’s three singles, Borderline, Mortal and Sold Out, are merely touching the surface on what lies next for the uniquely sounding Atlanta-based songstress. She is set to be supporting Snoh Aalegra on her forthcoming European tour this September.

Speaking of Snoh Aalegra, she has also been back in a big way following the huge success of the debut album FEELS in 2017. Her new album ironically titled, Ugh, those feels again, lands August 16th and below the video to its lead single I Want You Around. An artist you quite simply cannot afford to sleep on.

Leven Kali, also came through with the EP Low Tide and the lead single, Do U Wrong, featuring Syd just oozes summer sounds in your ears whether your in the whip or taking a summer stroll. Here are the visuals for this blazing track!

Last but nowhere least is Mahalia’s single featuring Burna Boy titled, Simmer. A track that just rings off as soon as play is pressed! The Beenie Man sample used from the jump sets the summer sounding tone and then Mahalia and Burna Boy do their thing. This could easily be the banger of summer ‘19.

Track of the Week: Zilo reveals she’ll ‘Be There Soon’

One of our fave chilled R&B favourites, Zilo is back with a steamy new single Be There Soon.

Fresh off the back of easily one of 2018’s best R&B albums, The Nature of The Beast, Zilo illustrates her sultry soulfulness on the new single.

Melodically flawless, Be There Soon oozes sauce and will most definitely sizzle any summer’s day when it’s playing.

For more details on our products and services, please feel free to visit us at: R&B artists,R&B singer,New R&B music,R&B playlists,best r&b songs 2018.

Faye Meana, the producer, singer,

Faye Meana’s route into music has certainly been an unorthodox one. After getting a MacBook at the age of 13, then releasing music via Soundcloud in 2016, she has definitely gone from strength to strength. We recently chopped it up with her talking about her musical journey and her recently released EP Shades Of A Dreamer.

Two years since the release of her debut EP, Nothing’s The Same in 2017, London-raised singer, songwriter and producer Faye Meana is back in a big way with follow up EP, Shades Of A Dreamer. Intentionally a bite-sized package, Faye explained, “In my mind I always knew that I wanted no more than 6 tracks on the project..somewhere between 4-6”.

On her inspiration, Faye explains, “As someone that always thinks about a lot, the title of the project Shades Of A Dreamer kinda falls into this, with each track showcasing a different shade of thought that I was feeling at the time. I also wanted the artwork on the project to reflect this. So I added a personal description of what each song meant to me, but I am also very much interested in hearing about the different interpretations listeners get from the tracks”.

Vocally, Faye Meana oozes soulful calmness which at times feels like she is genuinely having a personal conversation with you. Accompanied by spell-binding soul production, produced solely by Faye herself with many parts of live instrumentation. Production is a side of her skillset that she is keen to be recognised for. She added, “Broadly, I would like to be known as an artist that is recognised for being more than just a singer. I sing, song-write and produce and all elements are important in how I wish to be remembered as an artist”.

The intro track, The Truth tells the tale of a relationship where the truth has been misconstrued alongside the ups and downs that appear off the back of this. From the jump, Faye is vocally impeccable and the laid-back soulful sound just sets the tone for what is to come on the project. Faye explained that this was possibly the most difficult song to create on the EP. “I was going through something at the time and really wanted to explain this in a track. For me, the message lyrically behind the song was more important here, hence why I wanted a real stripped back production.” Coventry-based rapper Mugun features on the track with a dope verse to add balance to the track from a male perspective.

Track 2 is ‘Why’. Vintage neo-soul feels ring throughout with Faye Meana again illustrating herself as not only an artist with a brilliant voice but also as an impeccable lyricist. From start to end, this track is flawless in every way.

‘What You Wanna Do’ optimizes everything about Faye’s sound. Intimate instrumentation which makes you feel like she is performing in front of your very eyes and a melodically enchanting voice that continues to pull you in throughout. Another solid track, which fits perfectly within the theme of the project.

‘Unrequited Love’ is arguably the highlight of what is an all round tightly knitted project. Faye here touches on the feeling of a one-way love, and the realisation of knowing the one you love will never truly be yours. Yet again, the track pours genuine soul pulling heavy on the heartstrings. The punchy bass line and melodic percussion makes this one an instant head bopper.

The 5th and final track from the delightful project is ‘In The Morning’. The lead single taken off the project, is an absolute anthem and was previously featured on Track of the Week. The track sounds even better within the project and is a brilliant way to end the EP.

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Track of the week: Madison McFerrin reminds us all to ‘Try’

On The Wave: The New Tunes We Can’t Stop Playing August 2019

We come bearing news of heaps of delectable R&B music every month, but August 2019, has taken the cake. Arguably the most fruitful month of the year, read on for the reasons below.

A TBP fave producer, singer-songwriter and musician extraordinaire, Emmavie, finally released her looonngg anticipated debut album, Honeymoon, this month and it’s well and truly worth the wait.

The multi-talented musician produced the entire album, a brilliantly cohesive body of work. Sonically, Honeymoon oozes sensuality and embodies modern soul at its finest, drawing from jazz, R&B and Neo-Soul. Thematically, it focuses on the early stages of love as the title suggests, but Emmavie illustrates this in her ever relatable and endearing manner. It’s packed with several smooth bangers across tempos making for endless replay value throughout.

Accompanied by a flawlessly rich vocal range, catchy melodies and lyrics that thoroughly resonate, Honeymoon is easily one of the best soul records you will hear all 2019. For an album that sounds like nothing you’ve quite heard before, we genuinely urge everyone to give this incredibly talented artist a spin. You’re ears will be endlessly grateful.

Let’s face it, genuinely unique artists are very few and far between in modern-day music. That said, when they do appear, they truly stand out and their influence is simply contagious. This is truly the case with Atlanta soul singer, Baby Rose.

Not only is she a singer with a truly capacious vocal range, it’s the monumental tone of voice which rings out from the off with huge comparisons already being made to the great Nina Simone. That said, it’s where the comparisons stop as Baby Rose is truly her own artist.

On To Myself, Baby Rose’s thoughts range from love, relationships, growth and evolving personally. Collectively all highly relatable topics. Baby Rose provides organic R&B to the finest degree on this debut and is an artist positioned in a truly unique space in Soul Music. One that is invigoratingly 2019 but draws from the richness of old Soul in ways you haven’t quite felt before.

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Summer Walker – ‘Over It’

It is well and truly Summer Walker season right now and it simply cannot be denied. Off the back of 3 sold out London shows this month to kick off her First & Last Tour, rumours that the 23 year-old may well stop doing music after this has far from affected her being in high demand.

An album layered in an abundance of smooth-grooving R&B with a 2019 twist throughout, it really sets the tone for anytime of the day and has a huge amount of replay value. Over It consists of 18 tracks but definitely isn’t a drag, lasting under an hour. It plays brilliantly in its full tracklisting or on shuffle.

Summer not only vocally amazes here, but her ability to bare all of her vulnerabilities consistently track to track is captivating throughout. Sonically, Over It is an album brilliantly put together and an album that will be in heavy rotation for years to come. Tracks such as Potential, Nobody Else, Just Might, are as vividly potent and memorable as lead singles Stretch You Out and Playing Games.

Simply put, Over It is the complete opposite of how we are feeling about this debut album from one of R&B’s most elite artists. Furthermore, the album is a wonderful example of how the genre is heavily thriving in 2019 and here to stay.

On The Wave: The New Tunes We Can’t Stop Playing November 2019

Just 2 months shy of the end of 2019, its that time again to give you guys a run-down of some of the best soulful projects released in October. It was a big month – Summer Walker dropped one of the most anticipated albums of the decade and was rewarded with the biggest opening week of any female R&B singer in the past 10 years. Over It was streamed 154.7 million times that week and landed at # 2 on the Billboard Album Charts.

All of this without the backing of radio or the mainstream media. Summer Walker’s success is a reminder of the power of the people in the age of the internet – artists can achieve great success by consistently creating music the people love. Thanks in large part to music streaming platforms, the audience for good music is out there and can find and support the music they love.

Enough schpill… The albums from the past month you need to know about + a playlist of the tunes we’re loving down below.

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Track of the Week: Arin Ray brings back slow jam vibes with ‘A Seat’

Anna Wise – ‘As If It Were Forever’

Despite featuring on two of the most iconic hip-hop albums to have dropped this decade (Good Kid, M.A.A.D City & To Pimp A Butterfly), the hugely versatile singer this month released her first full length album, As If It Were Forever.

No stranger to dabbling in a variety of sounds and moods, Anna Wise never fails to draw you in emotionally and this album is no exception. As If It Were Forever offers a brilliant blend of modern acoustic soul and ambient feels making for a very chilled yet heartwarming 38 minute listen. Features from the likes of Little Simz and Pink Siifu further add to the diverse sonics.

Her ability to paint vivid pictures lyrically is another brilliant weapon in Anna’s arsenal and tracks like Abracadabra and What’s Up With You? are perfect examples. The theme of As It Were Forever is an array of her dipping in and out of surreal ideals as well as blunt realities and cohesively these relatable emotions are fantastically executed.

Nicole Bus – ‘KAIROS’

Some artists the moment they begin to sing just hit you with genuine feels and Nicole Bus is one of them. Since signing to Roc Nation in 2018, the Dutch-born soulful songstress has progressed very well with her breakout single You, becoming one of the most played tracks of 2018.

KAIROS is album jam-packed with soul, that said, there are snippets and influences of Hip-Hop based production merged throughout which mesh very well. Tracks such as Rain, Mr Big Shot, S.O.S all adhere to this theme making for a very refreshing listen. However, it is not only Hip-Hop vibes showcased in the 14 track project with reggae and elements of 90’s R&B clearly evident.

That said, it truly is the unique tones of Nicole’s voice which is simply breathtaking from start to end on KAIROS. Nicole’s descriptive ability to lyrically take you on a journey from track to track on KAIROS not only resonates but truly hits home. In a nutshell, Nicole Bus is an artist we believe you certainly need to have on your spin list.

Singer, producer and songwriter Arin Ray is back again with a brilliant slow jam fitting for any winter night with A Seat.

A sensual track which personifies everything a true R&B slow jam should be, Arin truly gets his throwback vibes on here in full effect. The Cincinnati based musician is certainly one to look out for with A Seat being agreat reminder of this.

Sonically, A Seat is a prime example of another artist bringing back the flavours of that vintage 90’s R&B that we all love. It’s a very nice follow-up to Arin’s single, Change, featuring Kehlani where this sound was also leaned on.

It comes with the perfect visual to match too. Brilliantly portrayed with direction from Keemotion, it illustrates romance and nostalgia to match the track. It sure seems like a sophomore project from Arin Ray is in the works and should be with us sooner than later.

Robert Glasper – ‘F**k Yo Feelings’

The multifaceted musician that is Robert Glasper blessed us this month with his latest project abruptly titled F**k Yo Feelings. This is a very much soulful but experimental album which sonically branches off in many directions yet manages to remain coherent. With a number of MCs, singers, and musicians— including Yasiin Bey, Herbie Hancock, Rapsody, Baby Rose Denzel Curry, and Audra Day to name a few, F**k Yo Feelings is extremely free spirited and remains organic throughout.

At its core it is very much jazz-rooted, as you would expect with anything Robert Glasper. That said, it delves into soulful variations of Hip-Hop and R&B influences throughout. The track Expectations is a prime example of this, featuring Baby Rose & Rapsody. The pair vibe majestically over a jazz infused beat making for a delightful listen and is most certainly a highlight of the album.

The Grammy Award winning musician wanted to keep the vibe and aesthetics of the album very mixtape orientated as he explains “I want this whole thing to be mixtape vibe, so when we put it together it’s like a beat here, might be a song here”. On the whole, the album does that perfectly well and is a solid example of how a multitude of sounds and artists can still cohesively create memorable moments.

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