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
Alt R&B
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
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
James Blake – Friends That Break Your Heart
One of the music industry’s most sought-after collaborators, both James Blake’s touching and heartfelt folksy ballads and his tendency for experimentation and daringly jumping across genre lines to blend his malleable style with some of today’s biggest innovators have been drawing in more and more fans as his career progresses. Now on his fifth studio … Continue reading James Blake – Friends That Break Your Heart
Don Toliver – Life of a DON
A signee to Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Records, psychedelic melodic rapper and singer Don Toliver continues to capitalize on his momentum by releasing his sophomore project only about a year and a half removed from his inconsistent debut, Heaven or Hell. While so many are drawn to Don for his completely distinctive and downright infectious … Continue reading Don Toliver – Life of a DON
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
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
H.E.R. – Back Of My Mind
Already having picked up multiple Grammys and even a 2020 Oscar before releasing her proper debut album, R&B songstress H.E.R. has now firmly moved past her mysterious phase of relative anonymity and swiftly into the public eye. Breaking out onto the scene with soaring and melismatic soul ballads, in recent years she has been drifting … Continue reading H.E.R. – Back Of My Mind
easy life – life’s a beach
It’s one of the quieter release weeks of the year, so it’s time to take a look at what’s happening on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Pop and R&B group easy life have been building momentum in their home country of the UK with a series of mixtapes, recently being named Best New … Continue reading easy life – life’s a beach
DJ Khaled – KHALED KHALED
The walking, talking meme and motivational speaker with the keys to success is back with what is surprisingly his twelfth studio album – the man has been making hits since 2007 and shows no signs of slowing down, online derision aside. Once again hilariously “executive produced” by not only his two infant sons, but also … Continue reading DJ Khaled – KHALED KHALED
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 