Tag Archives: Contemporary R&B

Tirzah – Devotion

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

DIY R&b

Moods

Somewhere in love

Thoughts

The unpolished rawness defines this album, the beats are sparse and highly repetitive with just a drum machine and synth short loop for each song; almost like a modern acoustic album. Her natural singing voice is subdued and focused on love; often in big statements but never too excited. I guess it's a testament to her songwriting that this works as well as it does.

It's an intimate listen, definitively British and at times ghostly like early James Blake.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Tirzah-Devotion/release/12415861

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZPP38OVT-M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA6c0WXGKjU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2EIDPpzXUE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KFvEvRAjyw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWUODt6LJ0Y

Spotify


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Tirzah – Devotion

Description: Album Review of Tirzah – Devotion


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Blood Orange – Negro Swan

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

Modern day emo synth pop with flourishes of hip hop

Moods

Comfortable with who you really are

Thoughts

Dev hynes feels fully exposed on negro swan and I'm not sure I like it. I love his songwriting (see my other reviews of his records) but the quiet style he portrays here lacks his great pop songwriting I've come to expect. I feel like a jerk writing this, he's getting more personal and yet I like it less? The production is great. His basic synth thing has just the right amount of modern dark hip hop production to it. I like the overall message (be yourself) and his inclusion of the recurring narrator works well. Just won't be the album of his that I come back to

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Blood-Orange-Negro-Swan/release/12647360

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVH_wxk9ZtE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fSgsvJC9Nw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj5uvKrDbmQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIlauccaH88

Spotify


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Blood Orange – Negro Swan

Description: Album Review of Blood Orange – Negro Swan


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

BJ The Chicago Kid – In My Mind

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

Modern pop rap

Moods

Gospel rap

Thoughts

I like tracks and parts but overall too churchy for me. Production is good and Chance has a good verse on one track but not enough.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/BJ-The-Chicago-Kid-In-My-Mind/release/8813748

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEh7dnVxV84

Spotify


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BJ The Chicago Kid – In My Mind

Description: Album Review of BJ The Chicago Kid – In My Mind


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

How To Dress Well – The Anteroom

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

His emotional croon with dark production borrowing from industrial techno at times, ethereal at others.

Moods

A pained story explored through heavy electronic textures.

Thoughts

If you're not familiar with his style he takes his time, drawing things out in a dramatic fashion. It's effective here but on other releases I haven't had the patience to make it through a whole album. Apparently on the Anteroom he's returned to his earlier roots so maybe I need to go back further in his catalog.

The production is fantastic and totally my style with a range of influences that can be hard and dissonant. His songwriting builds towards enjoyable climaxes that fold into other builds. The whole thing flows together, telling some bizarre confessional love story. It feels like he's low in the overall mix providing an obscured feeling where his voice isn't the focal point as in most r&b.

Tracks are highly accessible with some great singles in body fat and non killing. I love the dark suicidal stream of consciousness on July 13th, which is laid out over postal service dntel like production. Follows in direct contrast to the standout nonkilling just before it.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/How-To-Dress-Well-The-Anteroom/release/12732184

Listen!

Spotify


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How To Dress Well – The Anteroom

Description: Album Review of How To Dress Well – The Anteroom


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Internet – Hive Mind

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Chilled out r&b indie rock

Moods

Lights dim low

Thoughts

Enjoyable but nothing particularly ambitious or new. Easy funk.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Internet-Hive-Mind/release/12269361

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB3gWkhLkxM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xyDg9Tco5s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIqvRzEIqIo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRbYJ66RpHk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIgkFRZV-4k

Spotify


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The Internet – Hive Mind

Description: Album Review of The Internet – Hive Mind


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

SOHN – Tremors

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

serious, dramatic, dark electro pop

Moods

sexy scandinavian

Thoughts

Enjoyable pop with some interesting ideas. I guess I like this, the album all kind of blends together through very similar and basic electro production. It's slick no doubt but a little dry and impersonal with vague lyrical themes. Reminds me of apparat.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/S-O-H-N-Tremors/release/5559093

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlLJcbK7Xiw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AslPYSm7jfg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0AX03wZH90

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9btsq496hkQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWpvoylTLO8

Spotify


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SOHN – Tremors

Description: Album Review of SOHN – Tremors


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Abra – Princess

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Indie modern r&b

Moods

Promiscuous r&b

Thoughts

I like this kind of r&b. Free, easy sorta guilty pleasure. Production works well and she's created a persona that works even if it's trying to attention grabbing in it's straightforwardness

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Abra-Princess/release/8804120

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsNzPAOQEnE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I-POWtEJ8U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvVJx7dcoqo

Spotify


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Abra – Princess

Description: Album Review of Abra – Princess


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Teyana Taylor – K.T.S.E.

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?
Low-key R&B

Moods
Babe we got this

Thoughts
This EP is not without flaws, and takes a few tracks to get into swing, but I find it to be a charming set of songs. The easy going and intimate productions anchored by simple guitar and percussion fits her limited range perfectly, putting some memorable lyrical adages front and center.

‘Issues’ and ‘Hurry’ are modern r&b gems.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Teyana-Taylor-KTSE/release/12173407

Listen!

Youtube





Spotify

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Teyana Taylor – K.T.S.E.

Description: Album Review of Teyana Taylor – K.T.S.E.


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

DJ Dodger Stadium – Big Wave More Fire

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

What’s it sound like?
Energetic electro with vocals

Moods
2017 with a kick

Thoughts
Fan of these dudes, underrated producers who produced great mixes as LOL boys as well as for Kanye. I thought their debut was great (note: I should revisit that one) but a bit on the experimental side at times.

I like this release albeit a bit repetitive as an entire album. Production relies on vocoder and a break beat style that gives instant energy. The usage of vocoder reminds me of Justin Vernon at times and I can’t picture this aging gracefully. Still, a lot to like on this highly accessible album.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/DJDS-Big-Wave-More-Fire/release/12390752

Listen!
Spotify

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DJ Dodger Stadium – Big Wave More Fire

Description: Album Review of DJ Dodger Stadium – Big Wave More Fire


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Tinashe – Joyride

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

What’s it sound like?
New r&b, poppy, features rappers

Thoughts
I like Tinashe, she’s got a style that’s kinda chilled out and there’s a certain genuineness to her music. Songs aren’t polished and the album flows kinda like a mixtape.

More Info
https://www.discogs.com/Tinashe-Joyride/release/11847674

Listen!

Youtube





Spotify

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Tinashe – Joyride

Description: Album Review of Tinashe – Joyride


Rating: 3 out of 5