RAYL Reminisces Over The Perfect Love With New Single, ‘Summertime’

Just over a year after she burst onto the Canadian R&B scene with her critically acclaimed debut EP Romeo Must Die, emerging Toronto singer and songwriter RAYL is back to close out summer 2022 with the aptly titled ‘Summertime’ featuring fellow up-and-coming Toronto talent Erin B. Written by Rayl and Erin, and produced by Adam Josh, who has also worked with some of Toronto’s finest including Savannah Re, LOONY, and Yarah, ‘Summertime’ is the precursor to Rayl’s upcoming film project for her Romeo Must Die EP, which is set for release at the end of the year.

Inspired by Rayl’s fascination with love in the summer, ‘Summertime’ is a beautiful guitar-led R&B ballad about two lovers reminiscing about their perfect summer romance, with Rayl waxing lyrical about her insecurities in love, and wanting her man to take her feelings seriously, and Erin B professing his love, and assuring his leading lady that he is for real, and theirs is a love that’s meant to last.

Have a listen to ‘Summertime’ below…

Preyé Shares Her Seductive EP, ‘Don’t Look Down

Nigerian singer-songwriter PREYÉ delivers her much anticipated seven-track debut EP, ‘Don’t Look Down!’ – centred around love and self-discovery. The budding songstress is unburdened and carefree as she floats on every beat, teasing unique flows and using her honeyed vocals to sing us through the many stages of finding and loving herself and the people around her.

‘Don’t Look Down!’ achieves everything a solid R&B/Soul record should – head-nodding production, evocative storytelling and an attitude that reminds you that indeed, this artist is one to pay attention to.

To anchor the release of Don’t Look Down! Preyé enlists Nigerian rapper LADIPOE for the project’s lead single ‘Love, Today’ – a perfect end-of summer track. As the two artists exchange flows over pulsing 808 drums and a lingering guitar loop, we experience a genuine chemistry and connection.

On Preyé’s ‘Love, Today’, LADIPOE delivers one of his most personal verses to date, opening up about balancing the realities of his recent success with his continuous quest to find peace and never lose sight of who he is. Preyé’s enchanting refrain, “Don’t let them waste it, we got love, today .. we got love, today!” soulfully reassures her listeners that: although life can be unpleasant, there is always something to be grateful for. Preyé wrote this song after a period of feeling stagnant and her delivery is charged with the same sense of reassurance she herself needed at the time.

Preyé continues to show a level of mastery with her writing and vocals that is truly exceptional and highlights a star in the making. In June, Billboard listed her single single ‘Malibu’ as one of their Top R&B finds. She was also recently selected as one of six artists for Spotify’s Africa Month global campaign, Spotify Sounds of Africa, alongside LADIPOE, Zoë Modiga, Nomfundo Moh, Chris Khaiga and Nikita Kering. Have a listen to Preyé’s latest EP below…

Must Listens: Red Wine, Love Today, Malibu

Anisa Shares R&B Nostalgic Single ‘Deserve Me’ + Video

Nearly two years on from her debut single ‘Yalla’, which amassed over half a million plays online, and was championed by BBC 1Xtra, Reprezent Radio and FootAsylum, among others, and with superstar co-signs for her creative talents from the likes of Stormzy, Cardi B, and City Girls, British Somali singer, songwriter, and content creator ANISA is back with her brand new single titled ‘Deserve Me’. Written by Anisa, and produced by Edashman, pays homage to the ‘90s and early noughties era of R&B music that was pivotal to Anisa’s upbringing, and influenced her artistic journey.

‘Deserve Me’ also comes with a fun and creative music video, directed by Anisa herself, and shot on location across the city of London. Inspired by ‘90s era music videos that came with storytelling plots and creative acting, Anisa has put together a story-led music video for ‘Deserve Me’, which sees Anisa being grounded from going out with her friends, but as you’d expect, she pulls up to the party, where she sees her ex-lover, and is reminded of all the ways that he didn’t deserve her in the first place.

Check out the official video for the brand single ‘Deserve Me’ below…

Song of the Day: Good Love – Joey XL

East London R&B innovator JOEY XL‘s single ‘Good Love’, is a feel good, end of summer serenade to all those who feel like they can’t get by without love.

Produced by Rndm Beats, ‘Good Love’ is the lead up to his forthcoming six-track EP XL’s Room, coming out this Friday (30th September). The much anticipated project encompasses themes of love, finding yourself through music and forging your own path. The project features smooth recent single ‘Special’, the shimmering ‘Perfect Timing’ and the first release from the EP ‘To The Bank’ which arrived earlier this spring.

Speaking on the EP, Joey said:-

“The challenges that life throws your way, each designed to shape and advance your existence and purpose, are encapsulated in ‘XLs Room’. It centres on the concept of a bedroom, as well as the solitude of the mind, both private and safe spaces to feel and process lessons in love, navigating relationships, finding direction and understanding who and what you’re meant to be. This EP is a journey of self-discovery – each track speaks to my musical and mental evolution, crossing genre and themes, ending with passionate optimism that everything happens for a reason and the best is yet to come.”

Make sure you look out for the EP…but for now, have a listen to ‘Good Love’ below…

UK Alt-R&B Princess Dior Ashe releases EP ‘Chill Pill’.

Singer/songwriter DIOR ASHE introduces an eclectic amalgamation of various styles, genres and moods, through EP ‘Chill Pill’, a body of work that is an undoubtedly enjoyable journey into the catalogue of one of West London’s most promising talents.

Dior’s warm vocals melded with infectious melodies and encapsulating lyrics make for a unique and memorable listening experience.

Hailing from Ladbroke Grove, West London, singer/songwriter Dior Ashe is undeniably a force to be reckoned with within the UK Alt R&B space.

Proudly tapping into her Antiguan & St Lucian roots, Dior draws much of her influence from her rich Caribbean heritage. R&B, Soul and Neo-Jazz also all play a key-part when it comes to her unique musical scope, with Dior also drawing inspiration from vocal powerhouses such as Amy Winehouse and Erykah Badu.

Notably, Dior Ashe has performed at Earth 0.2, QH Sound Live and RCRDSHOP at Boxpark Shoreditch, and has been supported by Reprezent, Voices Radio, Snapback FM and Love Da Beat radio stations with both interviews and radio play.

Must Listens: Homerun, Miss You.