The talented Azad Right is back, and he’s got another excellent sample in tow. Having introduced himself with the assistance of The xx’s Intro, Azad’s latest effort borrows from yet another UK favourite as he selects Jamie Woon’s Spirits for accompaniment here.
Azad utilises the natural melancholy of the production superbly throughout this one, conveying disappointment, sadness and negativity in his voice to emphasis the failed relationship-centric lyricism. There’s plenty of relatability here, and the clear personal touch in the lyrics and the delivery makes the most of the dark synths and sombre percussion, with the overall end product being another top effort from the fast-rising rapper.
Google tells me Ambien is a ‘prescription drug to cure insomnia’, so it’s not Novel misspelling ambient/ambience. Phew.
A vastly underrated and overlooked vocalist (and rapper), Novel comes through to spark life back into his career with this 19-track, two-part mixtape. He’s an excellent talent when everything clicks for him, and he’s played his chances well by surrounding himself with some top class producers here, including a man with an untouchable record of pop and R&B productions, Dallas Austin. Looking forward to giving this one a go, and hopefully it’ll jolt the R&B genre back to some sort of decent state. Free grab below.
We’ve seen many weekly series come and go here at OTU, but it’s been a while since we’ve launched a new one, which frankly isn’t in keeping with our ‘we do things differently’ mantra.
That would be the marketing spin on this. The truth is, the thought occurred to me that as modern-day music listeners, we consume so much music on a daily and weekly basis that there have become two clear pools of choice when picking something to listen to: either a classic, old-school track or something relatively new. “What’s wrong with that?”, I hear you cry. “The vast middle in between those two”, I reply.
There are countless songs that lie in that grey area of being a little old, but nowhere near aged enough to be considered ‘classic’, and often they get overlooked. Several tracks may have been ‘ahead of their time’, and you’ll find them an almost brand new listen in today’s climate, or it may simply be revisiting an excellent track to recrete that ‘first time’ feel once again. Welcome to your friendly reminder of tracks we may have once loved (or even completely ignored), and enjoy the fresh yet familiar feeling that accompanies each one.
Over a year after its release, it’s looking likely that this excellent effort from Jesse has all the hallmarks of being his real breakout single. Having been selected for the 106 and Park countdown (if I’m not mistaken), the exposure he’ll now get is a much-deserved reward for his consistently enjoyable output over the last couple of years. His naturally artistic nature stands him in good stead for both future progression and widespread appeal, and I genuinely hope this comes off for him.
The video captures that cool bounce of the audio throughout, whilst breaking it up quite nicely with a light ‘story’ that interjects halfway through and also towards the end, both giving a little context to what would otherwise have been a generic party set. The sequencing and pacing of the video are key features throughout, as the injection of such scenes remove it from the confines of the classic music video, and into a more film-music blend that is considerably more captivating, even if the storyline itself isn’t particularly complicated. Definitely worth a look for R&B and soul heads, and a fine example of how to make an engaging video.
A very slow week for R&B/pop music this week (those new Chris Brown/Rihanna collaborations don’t count as music), and as a result it’s a pretty short, and stream-heavy, episode this week.
I’ve made this statement before, but R&B really is in a bad spot at the minute, with a serious lack of both quantity and quality as many of its stars are either inactive or pursuing pop careers. It’s a sad state of affairs, but I retain hope that the likes of The-Dream will be back soon to restore the natural order.
Apologies for the lateness here, but spending most of your weekend travelling isn’t conducive to the satisfactory scheduling of your favourite weekly series.
Though it’s only from the soundtrack of the upcoming Think Like A Man film, it’s always great to get some new John Legend, and it certainly helps when it’s one of his better tracks in a long time.
Opening with in an atmospheric and drifty manner, there’s an instantly smooth vibe pouring out of this one, and whilst the song does shift into a more pop/R&B realm with the percussion and additional elements, it retains enough of that initial airy quality to give it a distinctive flavour. Legend’s vocals are never in doubt, and here he actually does a good job of stifling his natural passion and intensity, instead opting for a more structurally sound effort that still showcases his wonderful talent. Definitely worth a listen, and look out for it on iTunes on Tuesday.
Great new cover from the lovely Yasmin, as she takes on Frank Ocean’s excellent American Wedding.
Making comparisons between the original and the cover is somewhat redunant so I’ll bypass that, and instead praise this for the fresh take on the track that it is. Whilst Yasmin’s singing credentials generally haven’t been questioned, there are still some who are to be convinced, and this will go some way to doing that. There’s a rich, addictive soulfulness to Yasmin’s voice here that’s not been properly explored in her material to date, with the complexities of the track pulling her vocals into areas previously unchartered (at least, to our knowledge), and makes this cover just as much about the showcasing artist as it is about paying homage to a great song.
An enjoyable, unique take on the track and its worth a watch for fans of the original, and/or fans of a little laidback soul material. Yasmin’s Light single is due for release on 15th Jan too, be sure to grab that one.
Relaxing soul vibes to warm you up this cold evening, with the latest visuals from the talented Jesse Boykins III.
Certainly one of my favourite songs from his back catalogue, Zoner has an easygoing vibe that is deliciously addictive, courtesy of a light string melody pretty much being the lone piece of production, with Jesse’s wispy, naturally hushed vocals blending beautifully with those plucks.
The video is trippy and choppy, switching from scene to scene quickly and combining a mostly calm colour palette with bright lighting for an interesting mix of relaxation and vibrancy. The actions in the scenes are more simple, with a combination of JB3 enjoying some introspection and also spending time with a couple of models. A solid video to fit a very easy listening song.
Along with Frank Ocean, The Internet (at this stage) looks like the next entity to emerge from OFWGKTA with some genuine longevity about them. Their music boasts a much wider, more mature and probabaly more lucrative appeal than the violent Odd Future raps, and we’re now treated to a trailer for their upcoming Purple Naked Ladies album, set to be released on 20th December.
One of my favourite elements about The Internet is Matt Martian’s continuation of the atmospheric, slightly trippy style he utilised heavily on The Jet Age of Tomorrow’s Journey to the 5th Echelon, and it certainly lends itself to the soft, soulful vocals of Syd the Kyd. This trailer captures both factors well, opening with a lovely ambience, and closing with mellow yet vibrant vocals that synergise excellently with the production. Very excited for this album, and hopefully it matches the quality of their previous two releases.
The semi-title track from Common’s upcoming The Dreamer, The Believer, and this album is really shaping up to be something special.
The track feels like a modern take on the soulful style of Be, with John’s soulful vocals on the hook accompanied by speedy percussion, an uplifting vocal sample and sharp, crisp raps from Common that come packed in a couple of very slick flows. It’s a great combination of elegance and energy, and once again highlights Common’s incomparable diversity. The Dreamer, The Believer coming December 20th.
My love of ‘winter music’ has been far from secret here on OTU, and several discussions with music fans of various tastes have led me to believe many OTU readers share that appreciation.
We’re all about satisfying the fans, so welcome to our new 5-part feature. Each edition features a selection of tracks that are taior made for the dark winter period, and in keeping with OTU’s diversity code, expect some old tracks, some modern tracks, with a vast range of genres represented (in no particular order either; for example, Vol. 1 doesn’t necessarily have all of the best tracks!)
Just to really drive those frosty vibes home, we’ll even provide you with fresh, original artwork for each ‘EP’ for you to download at your pleasure and finish off those playlists. Kind aren’t we? Without further ado, click below for 5 tracks to get your winter started. → Continue Reading OTU Presents The Winter EP: Volume 1
A highlight from his debut project, Those Who Wait, the soulful tones of Daley are brought to life with this very watchable visual.
The monochromatic filter throughout the video is a perfect fit for the intense, slightly dark lyricism, and its straightforward nature contrasts well with the diverse set of genres Daley crosses with the audio. The finer complexities are embodied in the more artistic elements of the video, with the various painted women adding a mystical, ethereal aspect to the video, whilst the gradual development of the scenery and weather conditions progressively heightens the intensity of the clip.
Certainly worth a watch, and most definitely worth a listen. Grab the track on the free mixtape here.
A quiet week on the R&B/pop scene (or rather, the ‘worth checking out’ section), with no posts of note to catch up on aside from the album review of Drake’s Take Care.
Pretty much exclusively fresh, upcoming artists this week though regular readers will be familiar with almost all those involved. Click below for this week’s handcrafted, lovingly-selected musical provisions.
The good material has been flowing today, and we roll on with the latest video from one of the better upcoming UK soul talents, Cherri Prince.
Opening with an immediately-absorbing guitar riff, the track descends into a mellow verse of melancholy and regret, displaying Cherri’s excellent vocals at their most raw. The song is then met by a lively percussion, capitalised on by a bouncier vocal delivery and more defiant lyrics from Cherri, synergising well with the step-up, and displaying a healthy dose of variety and versatility. The song alternates the two styles once again, before progressing permanently into the upbeat production, closing out the track out in memorable fashion. It’s a simple structure that works extremely effectively for the song, and ties in neatly with the video.
As progressive as the audio, the visuals gradually feature more lighting effects whilst the camera slowly pans outwards, beginning with a close-up performance shot and ending with a clever twist befitting the lyrical journey between verse and hook, making for an uncomplicated and very enjoyable video with a worthwhile payoff. Worth a watch for sure.
Following on from the superb DJ Premier and Berklee Symphony Orchestra track from a few days ago, the second track from the ReGeneration concept brings together a fantastic range of artists to infuse the wonderful New Orleans jazz style with a little hip-hop and soul.
Badu sounds as interested as I’ve heard her in a long time, as she comes through with a phenomenally addictive performance from start to finish, with vocals full of vibrancy and bounce that spans the range of genres to anchor them together in a cohesively funky sound. Zigaboo is relentless on the drums as he drives the track along, whilst Trombone Shorty provides energetic bursts of his horn that blend with the instrumentation brought by the Dap Kings to create a lovely feelgood vibe, with the overall combination proving a genuinely exceptional backdrop to Erykah’s vocals.
Another absolutely fantastic track from the ReGeneration project, and I hope this inspires more to try these styles out. In a music scene increasingly devoid of true character and worth to the music, the passion and purity of the music here makes for a brilliantly refreshing listen.
Probably the second best track on his Way of a Wayfarer EP, but that’s certainly no criticism as it’s a fantastic R&B/soul crossover that makes for an enjoyably positive listen.
It’s one of the bouncier, more lively productions I’ve heard JB3 on, making for a welcome departure from his slower, more soulful style. An infectious effervesence surrounds the track, derived from the strong synergy between the vocals and summery synth work, and it’s a vibe that carries into the video. Full of bright colours, sunny scenes and a general air of fun, the video exhibits both Jesse’s charisma and represents the track well, with each female encounter in the lyrics visualised in brief interactions that make for entertaining microcosms of the relationship.
After an exclusive nationwide premiere on MTVU in over 20 million homes and instant recognition by MTV.com and Vh1.com, the official music video for Rob’s popular ballad, “Know…” is now available in HD worldwide! The video, directed by J. Richardson, features Johanna Botta (former Miss Peru USA and Real World Austin cast member) as the female lead.
Slowed down, smoothed out soul vibes to enjoy on this cold, dark evening. Rob opens the track superbly, immediately stamping his presence on the track with soaring vocals and oozing a maturity and confidence that gives this an instant throwback feel. That vibe continues with sultry vocals, solid lyricism and a simple, unobtrusive production, whilst the video follows suit with an uncomplicated, bright and positive style that combines with the audio for a very organic soul experience of the highest order. To quote, ‘this one is a certified baby-maker‘.
I’ve been somewhat slack in my Rob Murat coverage, and you have to go back almost exactly 2 years for our last visit to his catalogue, but I’m sure we’ll be hearing more from him after this one. Grab it on iTunes now.
New release from the wonderful Marsha Ambrosius, as she drops off a 9 track collection of rarities and remixes.
Among the remixes is her own version of Big Sean’s Marvin and Chardonnay, along with her take on Jay-Z and Kanye West’s N***as In Paris, whilst the original material is made up of tracks that didn’t quite make the Late Nights and Early Mornings album. Undoubtedly, Marsha’s great vocals should make this a must-listen, and you can grab the project for free below.
This week has seen some superb music video releases in the pop, R&B and soul world and that mini-revival continues with a solid offering in this week’s R&B instalment.
One of the more mature, feelgood tracks of the year, Musiq drops off much-delayed visuals for his superb track from the MusiqInTheMagiq album.
A video that’s perfectly suited to the lyrics, Musiq demonstrates unwavering support and a respectable commitment to his lady of choice throughout the video, ‘in sickness and in health’. It’s not a revolutionary concept, but clearly it’s a standout concept against somewhat less monogamous music videos usually released, and there’s no doubt the warmth infectiously radiates off this video.
If this track was a girl, it’s one you’d be looking to take home to meet the parents. Grab this on iTunes now.
Is R&B currently suffering from one of its worst recessions? Outside of a few upcoming stars (Frank Ocean, The Weeknd and others) there hasn’t been much in terms of consistent quality, and outside of the aforementioned two artists, it’s increasingly difficult to see where the recovery will come from.
Heavily-delayed visuals for the debut single from John West. Given that the audio was released way back in March (and admittedly, I couldn’t believe it was that long ago!), it’s strange to see such a lag time in breaking the upcoming singer to a wider audience, but soul season is approaching, and it’s arguably a better move to unleash him now.
The Robin Thicke comparisons will continue with this minimal, casual yet rather suave video, with lots of nighttime scenery, dimmed lighting and a general laidback feel representing the song accurately. It’s not a revolutionary theme or style, but it’s increasingly rare to find easygoing, stylish themes like this amongst the growing trend for over-stimulating in music videos, and it makes for refreshing and relaxing viewing.
Congratulations to Pusha T too, who recently announced his official solo deal with Def Jam. Not wholly unexpected given his success in the last 12 months, and hopefully we’ll see him on more features of this ilk.
As the darker, colder nights of Autumn and Winter draw nearer, there’s reason to be positive: soul season is coming. The latter months of the year tend see a slew of soul albums get released, and the genre’s natural synergy with the chillier environment certainly adds to the impact of such releases.
Leading the way thus far is Goapele, who is set to release Break of Dawn on 24th October and opens with this very enjoyable single. Great vocals from start to finish, with Goapele’s deliciously-lightweight delivery making for addictive listening, whilst the production provides a blend of hypnotic, electronica-inspired bass and sharp clicks for an engaging contrast. The chorus throws an extra sample into the mix to accentuate the rises in Goapele’s vocals, finishing the track off nicely: worth a listen for sure, and strong signs ahead of that album.
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