BÜLOW‘s brand new EP, ‘The Contender’, starts off with her trademark – that infectious urban drive with ‘Own Me’, which carries on with tracks such as ‘Boy Will Be Boys’ and the spine-tingling ‘Upside Down’. Although I’m always pleased to hear her perfectly balanced combo of pop sensibilities with an urban kick, her latest collection sees this promising artist do something a little different..
For instance, ‘Puppy Love’ mainly possess a melodic and almost airy tones that’s more simplistic compared to her other releases.
Concluding track, ‘Sundress’ adds another dimension to the EP with its intimate setting, fronted by compellingly light vocals coupled with the crisp, folkore plucks of the acoustic guitar.
Overall, ‘The Contender’ is just as pleasing as her previous work, even though the lick of the urban pop package – to my frustration – was shortly interrupted. Have a listen below…
Following the release of their genre-bending debut single ‘Goodnightmare’ back in May,
Victoria (Canada) based R&B duo FAKE FAKE return with their sophomore release
‘Pretty Black Balloons’.
A darker contrast to the energetic romp of their debut, ‘Pretty Black Balloons’ introduces the tender, more cinematic side of the duo’s songwriting. With a track length of just 2 minutes and 22 seconds, producer Charlotte Hynds and vocalist Justin Campbell leave no pause and let nothing repeat, prompting listeners to revisit each second on their own terms.
Taken inspiration from Jimmy Ruffin’s hit, ‘Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind)’, Philly spitter KASTILANO dedicates his latest track to his beloved late grandmother.
‘Heart & Soul’ is the first release from his project, ‘S.H.I.E.L.D 2’. Check it out below..
After appearing on the blog’s SOTD hot spot last week, UK R&B singer HARLEIGHBLU and neo-soul & hip-hop producer BLUESTAEB circle back with anti-harassment empowerment anthem ‘Call’, the forth single off upcoming joint album ‘She’, out on October 11th 2019.
On a funk infused production courtesy of BLUESTAEB, HARLEIGHBLU takes a stand against cat calling: “We as women constantly have to deal with unwanted attention and aggressive pursuit when we do our thing and this song is a cheerful ‘talk to the hand’, a reminder that we don’t have to entertain such behaviour. Ladies, our journey is a long walk so let this song be the soundtrack to your stride, nothing can stop you especially not the unwanted advances from Mr.Basic”
After HARLEIGHBLU heard BLUESTAEB‘s music at Camden’s Jazz Café in 2016, the multinational duo decided to search for new ways to express their common love for uncompromised hip-hop and R&B. BLUESTAEB’s soulful approach to beat making complemented Harleighblu’s vocals perfectly as she staked her claim on the neo soul and hip-hop territory she always identified with. Hailed as an up and coming ‘queen of soul’ with references to Nina Simone, Lauryn Hill and Amy Winehouse, HARLEIGHBLU’s signature sound has matured into a frank, self-possessed voice, bringing us honest, feminine, yet unrepentant lyrical touches.
Additionally, the Paris and Berlin based producer BLUESTAEB made his name through his releases via German tastemaker label Jakarta Records, where he released alongside Kaytranada, Ta-Ku and Mura Masa. Both his solo and collaboration projects have been internationally praised for their warm characteristic sound, receiving airplays on Soulection, BBC 1, Rinse.FM and many more.
With a full collaboration album set to drop in this month, HARLEIGHBLU and BLUESTAEB continue to impress with their seamless musical chemistry and mutual passion for classic R&B and hip hop. ‘Call’ provides a taste for what’s to come from the 13-track stoke of genius, ‘She’.
BÜLOW‘s brand new EP, ‘The Contender’, starts off with her trademark – that infectious urban drive with ‘Own Me’, which carries on with tracks such as ‘Boy Will Be Boys’ and the spine-tingling ‘Upside Down’. Although I’m always pleased to hear her perfectly balanced combo of pop sensibilities with an urban kick, her latest collection sees this promising artist do something a little different..
