Author: Marcus Adetola

Following a trio of singles that navigated the labyrinth of modern-day dating and heartbreak with pop-infused dance melodies and poignant lyricism on King Size Bed, I Sent My Therapist To Therapy, and Pick Me, Alec Benjamin continues his introspective journey on Ways To Go, the focus track from his third studio album, 12 Notes. Joined by the velvety vocals of Khalid, Alec Benjamin delves into the depths of self-discovery and the bittersweet ache of longing. The guitar chords create a familiar, comforting backdrop for Benjamin and Khalid’s distinctive voices to intertwine, their emotive delivery echoing the raw vulnerability of the…

The Release of “Atavista”: A Neo-Soul Summer Jam Leave it to Donald Glover to sneak some serious philosophical vibes into one of the chillest summer jams you’ll hear all year. The slyly profound Atavista, released on May 13, 2024, as part of Childish Gambino’s final album, somehow makes confronting the big existential questions feel as breezy as cracking a cold one at the beach. The Artistry Behind “Atavista”: Gambino and Göransson’s Collaboration Produced by Gambino himself and co-written with frequent collaborator Ludwig Göransson, the track has this irresistibly mellow, neo-soul groove going on—all buttery vocals, airy piano twinkles, and a drummer’s…

Los Angeles-based Unknown Venus is a singer, songwriter, and harpist whose music paints a more introspective portrait. Her latest alt-pop offering, Dominoes, is a sonic postcard from the heart of LA, capturing the raw emotions that often simmer beneath the city’s glamorous facade. This alt-pop gem is a sonic oasis where laidback soundscapes and expressive vocals, laced with a wounded delivery to convey tales of heartbreak, intertwine in a hypnotic dance, evoking a sense of nostalgia that envelops you like a warm embrace. From the opening notes, a fuzzy, lo-fi ambiance permeates the sonic landscape, with reverb-drenched instrumentation creating a dreamlike atmosphere. It’s…

Adan Diaz’s jerk x2 isn’t just a song; it’s a confession, a yearning, and a playful shrug all wrapped in infectious guitar riffs. Diaz, a 17-year-old with a voice that belies his age, lays bare the self-awareness of being the “dawg with flaws” we all recognise. In a world of curated online personas, jerk x2 is refreshingly unfiltered. Adan Diaz doesn’t try to sanitise his missteps. Instead, he embraces them, singing, choking on sentences, and wishing he could be more like the object of his affection—someone with a Parisian mansion and a knack for talking to parents. But this isn’t a sad song. The energetic…

All For You by sunkis is a sun-kissed (pun intended) throwback to 90s R&B that will have you grooving in no time. The track’s buoyant bassline lays the foundation for sunkis’s smooth, soulful vocals, delivering a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Lyrically, All For You navigates the well-trodden terrain of devotion and unmet needs in a relationship. While the concept of being there for someone who isn’t getting what they deserve in their current relationship isn’t exactly breaking new ground, sunkis’s execution is earnest and engaging. The lyrics beautifully capture someone who is willing to put in the…

R&B’s got a way of getting into your skin, the melodies burrowing in next to your heartbeat. Drop has that classic sultry R&B touch—a low-key beat that makes you want to sway, synths that shimmer, and vocals that ooze with a mix of confidence and pure yearning. Eric Bellinger and Sevyn Streeter know the playbook, and they execute it with finesse. Vocally, the track’s a steamy exchange. Bellinger’s got this playful bravado, a tinge of mischief in his voice when he sings,”Why you so fine with it?” Streeter counters with that breathy, almost teasing come-hither tone she does so well. You…

JEFFE’s raw sincerity has always been a hallmark of her artistry, but with Closure, she takes introspection to a whole new level. The single doesn’t merely touch on personal struggle; it feels like a sonic autobiography—one that refuses to settle on a single mood or genre. The track opens with a mid-tempo beat and a piano melody, painting a backdrop of quiet reflection. JEFFE’s voice enters,weary but resolute. Just when you think you’re wading in a ballad of despair, the pre-chorus kicks in – the beat intensifies, and hope flickers to life. Yet, that same hope isn’t blinding optimism. It’s laced…

Acari’s Paranoid isn’t your average love song. It’s a soulful sojourn into the murky waters of new beginnings, where excitement and trepidation waltz hand-in-hand. From the opening guitar strums, an irresistible vintage vibe envelops you. Acari’s smooth vocals shimmer with a touch of apprehension, weaving and mirroring the lyrics that grapple with the uncertainties of navigating a fresh connection. The lyrics ‘wasting my time’ and ‘caught in this hole’ are like anchors weighing down the spirit, creating a suffocating sense of doubt and uncertainty where trust can’t take root. Paranoid pulsates with a raw vulnerability that’s both relatable and refreshing. Acari captures the emotional rollercoaster of…

Aisha Badru’s Thankful to Be Here is one of those soul-stirring compositions that feels simultaneously intimate and relatable and burrows deep, taking up permanent residence in the soul. This guitar-driven meditation on life’s bittersweet journey derives its power from Badru’s extraordinarily expressive vocals and poetic, introspective lyrics. Aisha Badru invites you into her world with a disarming vulnerability. “Days are long, years are fast/Memories are relics of the past,” she muses, her airy yet soulful delivery injecting profound weight into seemingly simple phrases. This ability to find the extraordinary within the ordinary is one of the hallmarks of great songwriting, and…

Jamar Rogers and Òlah Bliss don’t dabble in sweet nothings and clichés, and even with an upbeat tempo, Sweeten My Body digs deep. It’s a track that wrestles with self-doubt and the aftermath of rejection, yet emerges defiant, urging you towards the dancefloor of self-acceptance. Jamar’s crooning hits with immediacy: “Left out, off course/forgot myself again…” His vulnerability isn’t weighed down by the vibrant instrumentation; it’s a stark contrast that makes the determination towards self-worth hit harder. Òlah’s distinct vocals shine, a soulful counterpoint to the introspection: “I was drowning in shallow waters/But I never even seen the ocean.” The beat is the track’s…