People, we’re fully into release season and it feels so good!
There’s honestly so much good music out right now, it’s almost been overwhelming keeping up. Just a stream of consciousness of the new projects you MUST check out…
Lylo Gold – HeartAche & Wray, Jarreau Vandal – Anthology, Blood Orange – Negro Swan, Barney Artist – Home Is Where The Art Is, Seinabo Sey – I’m A Dream, Masego – Lady Lady, JMSN – Velvet, 6LACK – East Atlanta Love Letter…
And there’s more coming from some (UK) RnB modern legends – Ray BLK, Nao and Ella Mai all have projects coming this month. Summer might have left without saying goodbye but we’ve at least got a well of stellar music to find solace in.
Year of the Producer
Jarreau Vandal returned with a standout project with Anthology and his track Moonlight, serves that last slice of that summery goodness. Generally, music producers represent strong this month, solidifying 2018 as the Year of the Producer with a strong VanJess /Freddie Gibbs/Nick Grant collab return from IAMNOBODI and features from Masego, JMSN and Silk City.
Newcomers you need to watch
Also featured on this month’s playlist update are super promising newcomers. JDA is a truly DIY singer, with her self-produced melancholy minimalist RnB single, Sublime. The track’s low-fi production with JDA’s full-bodied vocals make the perfect autumnal listen. For fans of more bluesy Soul music, Stella Talpo is back with Leave, a tender, but delightful love ballad.
The New Tunes We Can’t Stop Playing February 2019
2019 R&B music is already heating up plenty and as per usual, we’ve got the playlist to commemorate.
Summer Walker returns with 'Clear' EP
We open up this month’s playlist with Summer Walker’s Grave, a track off her new EP Clear. Clear was released January 25th, a fairly speedy follow up to her October 2018 debut album, Last Days of Summer. Clear is a 4-track collection of live track performances from the singer that was one of 2018’s emerging R&B highlights. Showcasing her ability to bring jazz and R&B elements together, with raw, unflinching lyricism. Grave is a peak example of the EP’s subtle brilliance. Clear’s release was accompanied by a visual live performance of the entire EP. Moody, sultry with other-worldly ambience, be sure to check the performance above.
Tiana Major9 delivers Rehearsal @ NINE
Tiana Major9 also kicked off 2019 with Rehearsal @ NINE, her long-anticipated debut EP. Rehearsal @ NINE is a banging and true homage to Jazz that remains relevant to the sound of today. It’s quite simply just the stuff good music is made of – incredibly lush production, thoughtful lyrics with the richest of voices. All 6 tracks deserve your tracks, but the stand-outs are the previously released Mr Mysterious and Cat & Mouse. Cat & Mouse is featured on this month’s On The Wave playlist.
Reminiscence EP - Joy Crookes
Same day as Tiana Major9’s and Summer Walker’s efforts, UK R&B breakout, Joy Crookes also delivered her Reminiscence EP. As the title denotes, Reminiscence looks back on her roots, history and relationships, inspired by a January 2018 first-time visit to Bangladesh. It harks back to the days of the blues and psychedelic soul, but is fresh and current with R&B / Hip Hop edges. Our fave pick, Man’s World gets an On The Wave spot this month.
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