'K.T.S.E.' was much more soulful, chilled out, and low key than I would have ever imagined, and while she showed a level of true artistry I never knew she had and Ye's production was generally strong, I went through all 8 tracks still without getting a clear picture of who she was as an artist or a person, and it just didn't make that strong of a statement - despite it being a pleasant listen.
Her EP gave us a great look at the type of smooth, sultry music that SiR will bring to the table for TDE and it bodes well for the future. He already has such a strong grasp on his artistry and I can't wait to hear what he puts out next.
Our thoughts, opinions, and live reaction to the latest album from Ariana Grande, 'eternal sunshine.' Did her "divorce" album nail the concept?
For the first half of '1UP', T-Pain delivers some strong, classic material, but the problem is that warm feeling of nostalgia fades fast leaving a project that, once again, feels tired and too stuck to his ways.
After four long years, Blond is an interesting dive as an art project, but as a music album the abstractness and sparsity of actual music go too far at times.
H.E.R.'s 'I Used To Know Her: The Prelude' is a solid, yet short glimpse at to how far she's developed as an artist and potential future star in the making.
Awaken, My Love! is an interesting experiment that has some noteworthy moments but is ultimately held back by it's too faithful adherence to it's 70's funk influences. Sorely missing the levity, personality, and subject matter Gambino has become known for.
JMSN dives even further into his love and appreciation for traditional R&B and soul and has delivered maybe his best album yet.
Amelia Moore, the rising star known for her emotionally resonant songwriting returns with, "that girl," delving into the challenges of insecurity and self doubt.
Our thoughts, opinions, and live reaction to the latest album from 6LACK, 'Since I Have A Lover.'
Starboy isn't so much of a reinvention as it is a readjustment. Easing up on some of the seediness and dark narratives have made this his safest work to date, but it's still a highly entertaining listen and shows why he's still leaps and bounds ahead of his many imitators.
Sonically 'Everything Is Love' is as good as you'd expect from Beyoncé & Jay-Z but I don't think there's anything here that's mind-blowing or different than what we've heard from them before (mostly like throwaways from the 'Lemonade' and '4:44' sessions). 'Everything Is Love' doesn't push either one of them artistically but it answers a lot of questions and lives up to their high musical standards.
DaniLeigh's 'The Plan' was a surprisingly versatile project that was equally strong in its singing and rapping instances and she checks all of the boxes of a prototypical star in the making.
Somehow The Weeknd manages to step back towards his original sounds while still implementing some of his more recent poppier inclinations, creating a whole new sound yet again. It's a great mix of listenable pop with his more sinister, cynical side and there's not a single track worth skipping.
Check out our sit down with guitarist extraordinaire Justus West, where we talk about his new single "Come Together", playing with Mac Miller, John Mayer calling him one of his Top 5 guitarists, being on Tiny Desk a record number of times, and much more.
Talos delivers an incredibly rich and cinematic album that crafts an almost perfect blend of soulful production, synths, and impressive vocals.
Majid Jordan's latest is accentuated by some incredible synth work and a retro futuristic feel that does enough to create an infectious, almost dream like project with some serious grooves. It's good, clean, feel good music.
We got chance to catch French-Caribbean soul singer Adi Oasis at the DC9 in Washington D.C. and it was as soulful, funky, sexy, and fierce as any act you'll see this year. Be sure to catch her on tour.
Miguel certainly has some of the mechanics of Prince down and even the vocal chops to measure up, he's just missing the real 'soul' to pull off this psychedelic R&B at a higher level.
Prepare to be spellbound as SADI, a new R&B sensation, drops his latest single "Loco", a swaggering toxic soul/R&B anthem.
Dynamic duo The Royalty Page drop their new single, "Breaking Point," a fresh blend of hip-hop/R&B that effortlessly weaves the two together.
Darkness and Light is his most ambitious album in years, flirting with the deeper, darker side of himself but never fully committing to going 'there.' Resulting in yet another great sounding but safe album that doesn't resonate for all that long.
On their latest EP, 'Astral Visions', Hungarian quartet Mörk run through a gamut of inspirations with ease and confidence.
Bill Withers was a classic embodiment of a true, unadulterated musical genius, not just because of timeless hits, but also because they came from a man with a stutter and no musical education whatsoever.