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Category: Extended Plays
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Listen to Nigerian Afrobeats star Pheelz’s incredible new 5-track EP: Pheelz Good II
[media-credit name=”Photo: Courtesy of the label; Elliot Hensford” width=1000 align=”center”]
[/media-credit]If you’ve been looking for an Afrobeats project to rinse, here’s your chance.
In the dawn of June, award-winning Nigerian Afrobeats star Pheelz shares his appealing new extended play consisting of five graciously mixed songs. Starting with ‘Fever’, the enchanting dance record featuring Nigeria’s Afro-House queen Niniola, the Lagosian sings emphatically about a stubborn babe on the temperature-rising composition. Keeping the energy very high, ‘Majo’ meaning “dance”, is according to the press release, inspired by the vibrant Owambe vibe. Written after a friend’s wedding, the electrifying tune captures the essence of a Lagos party, with melodies and rhythms designed to get people moving. Smoothing it out and slowing the tempo down at this point, ‘Kamikaze’ is a deeply personal song reflecting on the struggles of life and societal hardships. Within the lyrics, Pheelz expresses his stress and frustration through poignant lyrics, making this track a resonant piece for anyone dealing with similar anxieties.
The tracks after this one simmer. As described in the label’s official press release, ‘Yeye’ is a heartfelt love song capturing the joy and vulnerability of being in love. It’s a serenade filled with passion and hope, with a melody that’s both soothing and emotional.
And last but not least, ‘Rotate’ is a sensual dance track with a slower, more intimate vibe, compared to ‘Majo’. It’s about connection and rhythm, capturing the magic of dancing in sync with a partner.
About the project, Pheelz shared, “This album is an intimate reflection of my true self, where I’m unapologetically me, embracing my vulnerabilities and my ‘crayge’ – that crazy rage within. It’s about fully owning who I am and allowing my audience to connect with the raw, unfiltered version of myself. I’m pouring my heart into this project, creating music that I’m incredibly proud of. This release isn’t just another album; it’s a journey, a statement, and an invitation for my fans to experience my evolution. With this EP and album, I want to inspire authenticity and resonate deeply with everyone who listens. It’s about embracing our true selves and celebrating our unique stories together.”
Without further ado, listen to ‘Pheelz Good II’ today and through your weekend. You won’t regret it.
It comes after his production and songwriting work on Usher’s chart-topping album ‘Coming Home’. He has also worked with Kali Uchis, The Chainsmokers and Pharrell Williams, and is co-signed by Dr Dre and Timbaland.
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Boston’s Indie Pop princess Amber Ais blesses us with her new EP ‘Blush’: Stream
Indie Pop singer and songwriter Amber Ais, officially began her musical journey at fifteen, which eventually lead her to attend Berklee College of Music in 2014. In 2017, Ais released her debut EP, ‘Seattle’, a collection of three original songs which earned praise for its blend of Contemporary R&B and Pop production. In 2018, she gained the attention of GRUNGECAKE with her cover of ‘Finesse’ by Drake, and released her second EP ‘Yearbook’ that same year. The young Bostonian artist is back with more wholesome sad girl bops with her latest four-track EP, ‘Blush’.
Amber Ais describes the four-track collection as songs that “sound pink”, which accurately describes the range of vibrant instrumentals produced by Daniel Dalexis and Ghreg Louis coupled with Amber’s buttery vocals. The EP kicks off with the light-hearted Pop reminiscent track ‘Shy’, which is then followed by the smoother head-bopping second track ‘Miles Away’. The third track, ‘Fences’ displays Amber’s R&B chops, as it emits cool and relaxed tones. The closing track ‘Ready for U’, is an Alternative Pop bop filled with her pillow-soft vocals. Much like her last project ‘Blush’ perfectly displays Amber Ais’ musical range and undeniable talents.
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Stream Electronic star Suzi Analogue’s three-track EP ‘Su Casa’
At the beginning of the month, Electronic music extraordinaire Suzi Analogue put out a three-track EP titled ‘Su Casa’ via her record label: Never Normal Records. Out of the three records, ‘PPL PWR’ resonates with me most. Aside from it being a piece for the times of protests against police brutality and senseless killings of women and rape, it is on time. Check out the project below.
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Listen to Haitian-American singer-songwriter TeaMarrr’s latest EP ‘Before I Spill Myself’
TeaMarrr is the kind of artist that you have to truly appreciate. Her art is created with an authenticity that can’t be faked. Her latest project ‘Before I Spill Myself’, a collaboration between Issa Rae’s label Raedio and Atlantic Records, is exciting, to say the least. From beginning to end it’s honest, sexy, and human. TeaMarrr’s voice and talent take center stage with tasteful contributions from artists Rapsody, D Smoke, and SiR.
TeaMarrr says of her music that, “I want people to heal themselves with my sound.” That is a tall order that is quickly filled once you get into the album. Outside of the clearly melodic and sonically pleasing nature of the project, the rawness and the raunchiness and the truth embedded in the lyrics and is truly therapeutic. The openness and willingness to be raw and real about emotions, about sex, about affirming yourself as a Black woman is all I need.
My favorite track is all of them. I’d be doing a disservice attempting to pick one that spoke to me more than the others. Listen to it all. You won’t be sorry.
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Here’s the trailer for Issa Rae’s artist TeaMarrr’s forthcoming EP ‘Before I Spill Myself’: Watch
Los Angeles-based artist TeaMarrr announced the release of her upcoming EP ‘Before I Spill Myself’. Now, she’s back with her EP trailer. This month, HBO’s Insecure included TeaMarrr’s music in this season.
If you haven’t, watch her music video for ‘Kinda Love’ with D Smoke below directed by James Bland. I am a fan of her creativity, voice, and being.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsO2qqXvQGM&h=315]
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Review: LONR self-titled EP ‘Land of Nothing Real’ proves he can do it too
Talented singer-songwriter LONR (stylized as LONR.) already has an impressive resume to boot. He’s GRAMMMY-certified; nominations and wins under his belt, plus he has collaborations with artists such as HER and YBN Cordae. If he were to stop right now, he’d have more accolades and success than many artists behind the scenes! Clearly, for LONR, that’s not enough, and thankfully so. With his latest EP, ‘Land of Nothing Real’, LONR is showing us that not only does he have the chops to contribute to the success of other artists, but he can create his own.
The EP opens up with the song ‘Time’. The mellow track is perfect for an intro and we get a feel-good song for the ladies–instant formula for success! His pen really shines in this song. We know LONR is a talented writer, his awards show that, but this song showcases his ability to be a sincere lyricist while still making a track that is catchy enough for anyone to enjoy.
Continuing through the tracks and no disappointment. LONR has mastered the art of injecting beautifully deep lyrics into a vibey, enjoyable track. ‘Safe Zone’ kept the same energy that I’d been enjoying to that point. The lyrics speak of a girl who lives on the edge and LONR wants her, bad. It’s a mid-tempo track that keeps you in a good mood.
Always one to surprise, however, the next track ‘Lit’ flips the script on all of us. This track is for anyone who may have thought that LONR was ‘one-dimensional’. This song is straight-up fire. Hard-hitting bars, explicit-laced, all that. He enlists 24kGoldn for that track and it comes and injects you with adrenaline. The track that follows, however, ‘Unruly’, brings you back down, gently. His versatility is incredible. Still haven’t been disappointed and I don’t see it happening.
His collar with HER, ‘Make the Most’ is the perfect example of why they continue to collaborate. It’s simply beautiful. “I wanna grow old with you, make the most with you, that’s the goal.” Simple hook. Effective. The vocals are perfect, the production perfect, lyrical content perfect. It’s a gentle love song that has what the R&B purist (me) will enjoy.
This EP is for the person who has heard about the legend of LONR but hasn’t had the chance to fully see what he is capable of. That question is answered here: He is capable of everything.
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Brooklyn singer-songwriter A$H shares new Gospel EP ‘Soul Songs’: Listen to ‘Special’
Gospel music, to me, has always felt like worship that can be joyful, triumphant, even loud, or it can be repentance, humble, and emotional. Gospel music not only delivers the message, but it can also feel like a testimony, a moment to cry out, and relief all in one. Gospel music can be your epiphany and revelation, your prayer and covenant, your lessons and stories, and your beliefs and feelings.
A forever trending topic is a vague change and the future. Gospel music has stayed relevant and chart-topping, but why is that? Sike! That is a discussion for another time. Back to A$H and ‘Special’, this song has a different style for Gospel. Gospel is where rhythm and blues come from. This beat is jazzier than your typical piano, horns, and drums praise jam. It makes you feel comfortable and simultaneously vulnerable. You feel like reflecting and realizing. The moment when you come to and know you are blessed and wrapped in the Light is an energy you can feel in this song.
This R&B sounding Gospel song can blend well in between Top 40, Urban, and Gospel. That appeal can reach many types of souls. During this time of being home and not able to convene, take some time, and add ‘Special’ to your “Worship and Focus Playlist.”
If you are ever in need of an uplift, ‘Special’ is a full song that is four minutes long. While you might feel down and out, and low, A$H sings your spirit to comfort that you matter because you matter to Him. The repetition of the word title of the song provides a soothing feeling that you will always be illuminated to Him no matter what you do or go through.
The beauty of Gospel music is that it doesn’t discriminate. You don’t have to be the most righteous and pious to enjoy a vibe such as this. This song can touch anyone, just go ahead and check it out on SoundCloud.
Words by Coop