Cathedrals – Want My Love

Releasing a track on Neon Gold is already a surefire way to ensure success, as MS MR and their own label have proven with previous endeavours.  The label seems to have a knack for picking talent with a unique sensibility but accessible styles, and Californian duo Cathedrals seem to have just that.  Yesterday saw the release of their third single, Want My Love, and it’s a slow burning, subtly growing track with some serious references.  Vocally and instrumentally there are many moments that shout out late 90s/early 00s R&B; I’m talking R.Kelly, Mary J. Blige, even some P.Diddy with Brodie Jenkins’ voice selling modernized soul, among very contemporary production.  At minute 1:53 the song breaks open for a guitar riff and Brodie’s voice into a moment that could be a Miguel track (or even Mariah’s #beautiful), meanwhile the lyrics say “Baby, please tell me you’re alone.  Cuz I know I’ve got this running deep in my bones“-  It’s so good, so popular R&B in a modern electronic package.  Is Cathedral’s style hack picking just the right style of R&B to appropriate from just long enough ago?  It’s no surprise to see decade old R&B making appearances almost everywhere, but what’s delectable is when someone does it in a new way with quality and style (Johnny Hwin is killing it)- that’s exactly what this track does, and while the previous two were intriguing, this one sells the duo as someone to watch in 2014.

Rae Morris & Fryars – Cold

The talented British pop whisperer Rae Morris has teamed up with R&B cool kid Fryars to craft this stunningly simple and approachable new track, Cold.  The second cut from Morris’ new album (out September 22nd) establishes this album as part of the forefront of British R&B/Pop tidal waves, likely to touch American shores soon enough.  Fryars co-wrote and co-produced the heartwrenching chasm the song paints for us (all with a hopeful silver lining and coddling melodies)- it’s a sweeping ride, likely to make your hair stand on end if you let it.

Seinabo Sey – Hard Time

There’s a swedish songstress out there named Seinabo Sey who is blowing our minds with her fantastic songwriting- her first track Younger whet the appetite of pop music lovers all over and got her some significant internet circulation.  Produced by Magnus Lidehäll (who has written and produced for Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Mapei, Sky Ferreira and Kylie Minogue), the song is an absolute gem (read my post on it here).

It’s difficult to decipher what an emerging talent consists of- the song is a clear testament to phenomenal songwriting and top quality production (with an interesting genre-bending edge), and it alludes to a powerful voice as well.  The voice has yet to prove itself though, something that became evident after viewing this video in which Seinabo skips over singing all of the vocally intriguing parts of the song and instead reverts to walking around a stage silently as confetti falls (also the dress makes it look like there are no shoulders and no neck).  This isn’t enough to destroy faith in this rising talent- she can still write a mean song (which is more than many others can say).  She presents us with her next single today entitled Hard Time.  Produced by Magnus once more, and again written by Seinabo, the track is still within a pop/soul framework, with a little No Diggity stylings within the production.  It’s no Younger, but it’s no deal breaker either.  As a performer and vocalist, the jury is still out.  As a songwriter this girl is schooling the others (take note pop divas).   

Naomi Pilgrim – House of Dreams

Following her self titled debut EP Naomi Pilgrim begins the quest into the release of her next short collection, House of Dreams.  The track is a positive sign in the establishment of her own sense of style, exploring more of the quality of previous releases Money and Rainmakers.  There is a simple and relatable melody, with nuanced barely-there background chords that swell to just the right amount of hugeness for the chorus that begs to be a singalong.  But beyond that it’s the distinctive production that makes Naomi Pilgrim a stand out emerging artist- someone with the potential to fulfill a sustainable career.  The gently gritty bass contrasts with manipulated piano samples, and at times the synthetic embellishments bring to mind an ambient track from Ulrich Schnauss.  The release format for the upcoming EP is a nice touch; in the face of this digital age, Pilgrim is releasing House of Dreams via Best Fit Recordings on a limited 12″ vinyl in late June.  You can pre-order it here.

SLK – Call

Yesterday Britain’s latest soul baby SLK released her third single, CALL.  The track features a Chet Faker like approach to R&B that summons the mood of songs like The Coaster’s Down In Mexico.  In other words, there is a backbone to this song that brings to mind a late 50s style of Rhythm and  Blues.  The best parts of the song are the patience and restraint both SLK and producer Embody demonstrate throughout the track-  it’s allowed to simmer and swell, its relentless beat pausing long enough for an emotional and rich vocal line to weave itself over the pulsating 1,2,3.  These two make a great pair, and now SLK has announced her debut EP and the event to celebrate it.  The EP, Form, is to be released on May 26th.

Weekly Digest

 

 

A little collection of my favorite finds online this week.

XOXO

Introducing: Greighwolfe

 

Greighwolfe‘s track Physical opens on a very 80s Drive note- straight up Kavinsky.  It’s the stuff of plush, electric, action movie intros, a trope which today carries a certain air of cheesiness, but which Greghwholfe reappropriates as sexual.  When the intro segues into the verse, and a minimal 80s electronic R&B synth takes over, it’s chill worthy.  Then comes his voice- a sensual tenor, R&B embodied, with a dynamism as exciting as the track itself.  Props to Greighwolfe for creating something epic yet sexy & modern yet retro.

A K U A – One’s Company

A K U A   (a-koo-ah) is Montreal based electronic soul artist Akua Carson.  She’s stunning- a beautiful voice, meticulously produced tracks and an awesome sense of style.  Being a part of a pack, and let’s face it, female electronic soul artists are sprouting up like weeds, is never easy.  Standing out from that pack is even more difficult.  But A K U A manages to do just that by incorporating old world style musings in the vocal delivery lineage of India.Arie or Corinne Bailey Rae while gliding over 80s world R&B (think Sade) production- it’s deceitfully and enticingly shallow before filling out into a romantic futurist soul fantasy.  Like swirling rich colors, the sounds A K U A funnels through her debut EP are a sonic experience with visual manifestations.  It jumps out of your speakers as her voice gently corroborates a glowing pattern of light and movement. It’s only fitting then that her video for One’s Company be like visual masturbation for electronic soul lovers.  The video’s aesthetic is darkly humorous, cheeky in its cynical outlook, and delivering some of the best choreography I’ve seen in a video (well, since Haim’s latest).  A K U A’s EP has been out for a minute, and she caught my attention back in the summer of ’13 with her track Monsters, but this video is a very immediate reminder of why we should pay attention to this girl.  And we should.  Just look at that gif.

Check out her EP One’s Company:

Maxine Ashley – Perpetual Nights

Maxine Ashley, also known for being the ubiquitous Pharrell’s protégé, is exhibiting some pretty distinct hereditary traits on stand-out single and new video Perpetual Nights. Maxine released her EP Mood Swings back in October and it quietly buzzed away, lacking the pizazz to capture people’s attention during that season of pop diva releases.  But it seems like now the market is primed- old school funk and R&B are practically commonplace in top 40 tracks, and sensual nuance has been made accessible by guys like Pharrell and Justin Timberlake.  The video release has forced a more intentional listen to the EP and I keep finding more and more reasons to love this girl.  Here is the video for Perpetual Nights, enjoy her fashionable restraint and soulful reverence to past greats.  Check out her full EP here, and my favorite tracks below.

 

Young & Sick – Glass

Buzzworthy band Young & Sick (fashion, illustration, and music project) is combining a rock band vocalist with chops and charisma and some of the most insanely incredible synthesizer and production ever.  It’s so exciting to listen to -the arpeggio glitching and glittering behind lead vocalist Nick is the money and the selling point for me personally, and when I saw this song performed live, the synth player was giving me LIFE.  I was a little uncomfortable about Nick himself (PS his last name is an elusive find on the internet, but this is HIS *nick’s* project- a little god complexy, no?).  His appearance was Beetle Juice meets Jared Leto & his style slightly narcissistic and overly confident, but I was so enthralled in the harmonies, synths & production that I closed my eyes to remove the disarmingly unattractive visual component of the performance and indulge in the fantastic music.

It’s no surprise that vocalist and mastermind Nick would create something this good.  It’s a thoughtful and modern take on R&B and Soul in this electronically saturated musical climate.  His sensual and old school singing style is mostly successful, too.  It’s also no surprise that he is this confident (it’s part of the sale of the music itself), given his extensive success as an illustrator for album art, fashion houses, and brands (his illustrations are phenomenal).  It’s the kind of runs like at minute 2:04 that turn me off.  It’s part of this trend where any white person interested in doing R&B & Soul influenced music thinks breaking down the riffs is enough.  But soul and runs are not something that translate well as overly prepared.  Inherently in the genre’s name is Soul, and this kind of singing has to have real soul to it.  I’d argue this is the weakest point in the Young & Sick’s presentation, HOWEVER, the music is fantastic and this first cut from the full-length debut is stellar.  Besides, I’m the only person who seems to have this disaffection towards Nick’s persona, so maybe I’m mistaken or my own perspective is jaded.  I suppose I’ll have to watch and see.