Looking back, we didn’t have much a summer this year. “Stay (Summer Interlude)” by Just J brings about memories past, especially in the stagnant space that’s filled the year. But sometimes when we think of better times, we find ourselves trying to stay there.
Why We Like It
Why We Like It: Jennifair’s “Living the Life” (Ft. Drum Mage)
“Living the Life” Ft. Drum Mage is a breezy listen. An R&B singer with a knack for spitting verses, Jennifair finds her pocket in the gentle wind. She raps about excelling in the moment, looking neither back on struggles overcame or ahead to treasures not yet received.
Why We Like It: Sean Cleleand’s “Sleepless”
Ever wonder what it sounds like to dream with your eyes open? Sean Cleland imagined “Sleepless” to be the sound of laying awake in isolation of the late night. His mind wanders through a waking dreamland of funk and soul rhythms.
Why We Like It: Abigail Sernal’s “Space”
The production drizzles gently into the track. “Space” hits with R&B styled rhythms and grooves that include a glittery piano, warm baselines, and crispy smooth drums. Sernal croons with a voice as light as a summer breeze as she reflects on what’s led her to needing space.
Why We Like It: Lo-Ke’s “Henny Nights”
“Henny Nights” by Lo-Ke is a song about escapism. Get lost in the upbeat rhythm and sing about drinking the blues away, but when the bottles run out you’ll still have to face your problems. Or you could just ignore them and keep dancing to this great single.
Why We Like It: Bolbito’s “Epiphany”
Mellow and drifting, Bolbito let’s the bars flow one after another, flowing through a river of memories — some good, some bad, sometimes peaceful waters, sometimes turbulent rapids. “Epiphany” is a poetic realization reflecting on the pain of the past but not letting it define the future.
Why We Like It: Cantrell’s “Birds Eye View”
Back again, Cantrell sores above the competition on “Birds Eye View.” With his newfound heights, the rapper looks at the game from above, an angle that affords him a wider perspective. The hunger bleeds through in his rhythm and controlled delivery.
Why We Like It: Emma Volard’s “Femininity”
On “Femininity” Emma Volard welcomes her womanly nature in the form of a song that sounds like a spell summoning her femininity in all its greatness. The single pushes into neo-soul soundscapes with dynamic production that ranges from smoothly drifting to tensely climbing.
Why We Like It: Pink Matter’s “You’ll Never Know”
Sometimes strictly off a few notes of an intro you know you have to listen more intently to a new song. Pink Matter’s latest single “You’ll Never Know” is unquestionably one of those jams. The sharp melodic high pitched piano chords strike such a specific nerve right out of the gate.
Why We Like It: STORRY’s “Worth” Ft. Thurz
“WORTH” is a reassessment of how we place value our self-imposed bodily image expectations. Exacerbated by the pandemic, STORRY laments about the states we view ourselves in. Rapper Thurz comes in to share the male perspective with a bouncy old-school flow.
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