While it’s always been clear that Kehlani’s near-hypnotic vocal talents are far and away their greatest strength, they’ve seemingly been struggling to land on their artistic identity with their past couple of projects – collections of tracks which often provide a pleasant first listen, but don’t leave much in the form of memorability. With their … Continue reading Kehlani – blue water road
R&B Reviews
Blxst – Before You Go
West coast rapper and singer Blxst has already scored a couple of hits and worked alongside some iconic figures like Nas, Snoop Dogg and E-40 before putting out his debut album. Essentially going full R&B, Blxst leans more than ever towards his soulful tones and beachside vibe as he runs through a series of tracks … Continue reading Blxst – Before You Go
Mary J. Blige – Good Morning Gorgeous
Now firmly back in the public consciousness after a stellar Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, legendary R&B vocalist Mary J. Blige smartly saw fit to capitalize on her momentum and drop her 14th studio album just a couple days before she was set to take the stage. Partially written in response to a divorce, Blige … Continue reading Mary J. Blige – Good Morning Gorgeous
The Weeknd – Dawn FM
You have to imagine that one of the most common questions The Weeknd gets is about why he dies so much – often graphically – throughout his music videos and album concepts. On the Toronto R&B/pop icon’s fifth full-length album, he takes his morbid curiosity to an entirely new level – but as it turns out, … Continue reading The Weeknd – Dawn FM
Khalid – Scenic Drive
Not long ago the most streamed artist in the world, it seems that Khalid’s fall from pop dominance has been incredibly sudden. Criticisms of his work being too stagnant and derivative had followed him for his whole career, but a couple tracks on his last project Free Spirit seemed to finally start breaking out of … Continue reading Khalid – Scenic Drive
Silk Sonic – An Evening With Silk Sonic
What do you get when you combine one of the music industry’s most reliable hitmaking machines with a golden voice and an underrated and versatile rising star brimming with charisma? One of the year’s most anticipated projects that still somehow managed to exceed expectations. Give the credit to funk legend Bootsy Collins for creating this … Continue reading Silk Sonic – An Evening With Silk Sonic
Summer Walker – Still Over It
Racking up some stunning streaming numbers, it’s clear that fans have been clamouring for new material from Summer Walker – after all, she’s fit to be the soundtrack for tumultuous times, romantic or otherwise. After exploding onto the scene with her excellent debut, 2019’s Over It, elevating the alt-R&B scene with some biting, relatable lyrics … Continue reading Summer Walker – Still Over It
Tinashe – 333
After a lengthy battle with her label and finally breaking out as an independent artist with her critically acclaimed 2019 project Songs for You, R&B star Tinashe is taking that increased creative control even further with her latest release. Tinashe has fully settled into her role as the indie darling with a cult fanbase in … Continue reading Tinashe – 333
Leon Bridges – Gold-Diggers Sound
When I had the opportunity to interview Texas soul singer Leon Bridges about this album earlier this month, he told me about how people’s expectations of him to continue emulating a fleeting moment of inspiration throughout his entire career are beginning to get him down. Bridges exploded dramatically and decisively onto the scene with vintage … Continue reading Leon Bridges – Gold-Diggers Sound
Snoh Aalegra – TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES
One of the music industry’s most obvious masters at the game of making connections, Swedish R&B singer Snoh Aalegra has been steadily growing her profile for years, delivering standout features with artists like dvsn, Giveon and Alicia Keys and finally being signed to Roc Nation just last year – not to mention being praised extensively … Continue reading Snoh Aalegra – TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 