Amara-Fe - A Queen's Ambition (LP)

A Queen’s Ambition (LP) - Amara-Fe (Pop) Amara-Fe has returned with a brand new LP just weeks after her 9-track LP “Echoes” with latest project, “A Queen’s Ambition”. We always love hearing from Amara-Fe, whose typical mid-tempo R&B lane is one we love to travel. Last time around, Amara-Fe brought us her confidence at full force, along with some cracks in the facade that led to love and loss. This time around, Amara-Fe expands her sound into more pop crossover territory, but keeps her strong point of view that defines her as an artist. But before we go any further, let’s recap what we know about the artist.

Hailing from Mission, rising star Amara-Fe comes to us with deep-rooted connections to the music industry. With uncles Eugene & Rene jamming in Tulsa and a grandmother writing for Minnie Ripperton, music is in Amara-Fe’s blood. We’ve been fortunate to review Amara-Fe in the past when she brought us feel good track “To good for that” from her REBORN LP and the “Echoes” LP. On those projects, a self confidence permeated the track in a Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” kinda way, with a pop Top 40 flare and hard hitting, theatrical vocals preaching a simple message: “Boy, bye!”

Feeling very much like a sequel to the “Echoes” project, Amara-Fe continues to explore the contrast between vulnerability in love and confidence to maintain boundaries and know what one deserves out of love. With 16 tracks, the album starts out with a suite of love songs before a turn to the collapse of love. But those are just the intro to the project, as the bulk of album is focused on a woman’s strength, resilience, inner fire and ability to survive her darkest times and fight her own battles.

Production wise, we lean much more Top 40 than R&B this time, with even a few dancehall Skrillex-style flourishes that elevate Amara-Fe’s typical sound, showing her to be a crossover artist. The mixes and masters are impeccable, deep, rich and thudding, with hyper modern sounds that fit perfectly on today’s radio landscape.

“Moonlight” sets the stage with an ode to what makes Amara-Fe special, her glow, before diving into tracks “Rooted Love” and “Solid Ground” which give pop/R&B feels when describing the strength of the love Amara-Fe has with her partner. However, things quickly go south with “Don’t Walk Out That Door” and “No Games No War”, two tracks detailing the end of her relationship with varied soundscapes, the latter giving us a nice funk sound that feels fresh for our artist.

There’s a brief diversion into “Ecstacy”, a pure R&B cut that might be our favorite on the album, before all the remaining tracks veer into Amara-Fe’s proclamations of her strength and ability to rise from the ashes like a phoenix. Of those tracks, we get soul rousing numbers like “Legacy Untold” and finale “Strength Of A Goddess” which use choral backings to give an anthemic feel to those records. She also makes sure to give us her spit game with “A Woman’s Worth” and “Fall Back”, as well as another glistening Ariana-tinged R&B cut with “Far Above Rubies.”

In sum, Amara-Fe’s “A Queen’s Ambition” stays true to her point of view and messaging about female empowerment and rising above the challenges of love, while at the same time expanding her sound into crossover appeal.

Tracks:

1. Moonlight

2. Rooted Love

3. Solid Ground

4. Don’t Walk Out That Door

5. No Games No War

6. Ecstacy

7. Ascend From Ashes

8. Legacy Untold

9. The Reckoning

10. I Won’t Fold

11. Fighter In Me

12. Far Above Rubies

13. A Woman’s Worth

14. Fall Back

Jnabe - Respect Her Bag

Respect Her Bag - Jnabe (Pop) This week, we welcome Jnabe to the blog with pop/dance confection “Respect Her Bag”. Mixed and mastered by platinum-winning engineer Mostwanted and the Grammy-nominated Chris Gehringer, “Respect Her Bag” is gaining streaming traction for reasons we can clearly hear. A catchy mid tempo with an island vibe, the song is a certified hip winder. The bass fills the backing as Jnabe’s crisp vocals slice through the mix, constantly switching up the cadence of the rhythm in the verses to keep the listener engaged. “Respect Her Bag” tells the tale of a woman whose ways of making money are looked down on by her man, but not Jnabe. The track reminds us of all those afrobeat inspired dance cuts of the 2010s in the best way possible. We defy you not to get to the dance floor with this one.

Best Lyric: “He outta respect you girl. So goodbye.“

Baby Booder - Champion

Champion - Baby Booder (Rap) Baby Booder joins our ranks this week with latest track “Champion”, an ode to the artist’s challenges and triumphs during the last year. Recorded from his home studio for an underground vibe, Ann Arbor artist Baby Booder gives us a tight little biographical track with “Champion”. The intro of warbly keys gives a mystical vibe, underlying a tight and crispy percussion. It’s a contemplative record with a very catchy chorus led by a pitch dropped chant and a lilting female vocal line that are both great ear candy. On the verses, Baby Booder gives us somber and reflective, injecting a little melancholy into the record. Overall, it’s a moody record with a tight production, and a perfect little head nodder.

Best Lyric: “Kinda hard to be me but I manage it.“

Solar Soundz - Loyalty & Respect

Loyalty & Respect - Solar Soundz (Rap) Solar Soundz joins our blog this week as we review the title track to latest album “Loyalty & Respect”. Lisbon-based producer Sam, better known as Solar Soundz, has been making music for over two decades, and with his latest LP bringing a blend of classic boom bap grit and modern trap energy. Joined by Kinetic 9 and Legs Mc on the track, we are treated to a breezy old school 90s hip hop vibe with twinkling keys backing a punchy, dirty percussion. Our vocalists ride the beat with ease, and are treated to a crispy distortion effect that blends well with the grit of the instrumentation. But while the standout production provides a nice balance of gritty and smooth, what pops out most about this record is the excellence of the pen game, which displays thoughtfulness and maturity. It’s a “calm before the storm” feeling kind of number dipped in poetry.

Best Lyric: “Grappling with gravity, pulling you in tight.“

Jade Barbara - breathe (a little)

breathe (a little) - Jade Barbara (Pop) This week, we’re pleased to feature Jade Barbara on our blog with her latest track “breathe (a little)”. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Jade ups her game from bedroom recording artist to professional workspace with this track, marking a significant milestone in her musical journey, ready to take on live performances and a wider audience. On “breathe (a little)”, an angelic, innocent vocal slips through a punchy percussion, with a slinky, fuzzy funk bass winding around a thick kick. With a sparkling verb and some fun spoken backing adlibs, this track is a well baked collection of earcandy, mixing the hardness of the beat with the softness of Jade’s vocals.

For6i66en 3laxk - Insecure (ft ATS Semaj)

Insecure - For6i66en 3laxk ft ATS Semaj (Hip Hop) For6i66en 3laxk and ATS Semaj return to our blog this week with their latest collaboration, “Insecure”. A few weeks ago, we reviewed “Villains”, a menacing track full of danger and grit. With “Insecure”, we pivot more to the emotional and get some rapid fire spit as our artists pass the baton back and forth. Thematically, the song takes aim at those that didn’t believe in them before their rise. The haunting keys underlying the track give Halloween main theme vibes, while the record overall feels like it could be pulled from Kanye West’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”

Best Lyric: “I can’t fuck with you if you weren’t at my darkest.”

ALLEGRA - Ash

Ash - ALLEGRA (Pop) One of our blog’s frequent features, ALLEGRA, returns to us with another music and video pairing with latest track “Ash”. A bit of a pivot from the high octane dance-pop we’re used to from ALLEGRA, this week she brings us a moody midtempo, telling a former lover that there’s no chance of coming back. Foreboding synths and a resonant distorted bass bounce underlay the track as ALLEGRA’s intimate vocals shine through the production. As always, ALLEGRA comes with an impeccable production value, from the quality of the mix to the vocal production to the slick music video. “Ash” gives us all the vibes of a mid 2010s Top 40 bop.

Best Lyric: “You can never take the heat, leave you with a third degree.”

Attack the Sound - Can't Stop Loving You

Can’t Stop Loving You - Attack The Sound (Funk/Soul) We’re getting funky this week with Chicago indie pop soul band Attack The Sound’s new record “Can’t Stop Loving You”. A sparkling retro duet between Davo Sounds and Lauren “Lo Keyz'“ Bell, “Can’t Stop Loving You” sparkles with nostalgia as the patient midtempo features a rich stack of vocals over a dreamy instrumentation. The track brings serious 70s vibes, even featuring some fun key shifts in a trippy bridge that elevates the track. In addition to the masterful production and mix, what stands out most on this track is the texture, especially how complementary the vocal stacks are. In sum, it’s a mature record, and a real a two-stepper for adults.

Best Lyric: “Phoenix from the flame, astral to the plane, melts my heart away.”

Katie Belle - People Pleaser

People Pleaser - Katie Belle (Pop) Katie Belle joins our blog this week with her latest, “People Pleaser.” An American singer-songwriter, model, actor and pop artist, Katie Belle splits her creative time between Atlanta and LA, with “People Pleaser” being the title track off of her recent EP, whose two lead singles have garnered over 500k streams across streaming services. On “People Pleaser”, a sizzling, intimate vocal coos in your ear, telling the listener that she is changing her ways and will no longer be a people pleaser. The instrumentation is pure ear candy, with a crispy and engaging percussion underlaid by splashy synths that give this modern protection just a touch of retro. Smooth and groovy, “People Pleaser” is a smash Top 40 midtempo bop.

Best Lyric: “I just killed the girl you thought I was in side of your head.”

Lisa Jo - Hood Rats (LP)

Hood Rats (LP) - Lisa Jo (Hip-Hop) This week’s album review comes from Lisa Jo with her latest project, “Hood Rats”. While we typically just focus on the music, selecting those projects that stand out for their quality, we feel the need in this circumstance to also highlight a little about Lisa, and all of her trials, as it brings a heart-wrenching context to the work.

Lisa Jo has used music throughout her life to get her through the ups and the downs, of which we find Lisa has had far too many downs for any one person to have to shoulder. Tragically, a terminal illness took a toll on her vocal chords, and so she began writing music to find her musical fulfillment. She lost her husband and is also caring for her mother and sister, and unfortunately struggles under the heavy weight of medical bills. But in the darkness of losing her career and battling multiple forms of cancer, she has become a creative powerhouse and firehose of new content. It appears she clings to music to get through, and what incredible music it is.

Learning her story before diving in, we were surprised to find that though there is the occasional commentary on the haves and have-nots, sometimes with respect to health care, the album is mostly commentary on the everyday struggle and speaks very little about Lisa’s personal circumstances. It shows a multi-faceted woman who has a lot to say beyond her personal circumstances, and instead of creating a sort of diary of her current trials, she has surprisingly created a very catchy 90s hip-hop record about life in the hood. Let’s dive in to a few of our favorite tracks.

Most of our favorites are in the front half of the project. The album kicks off with a 90s hip-hop flare in “Everyday Struggle” and immediately introduces Lisa as a powerhouse lyricist with a sick pen game. J-Mac, who is the primary vocalist on the project, has a low-key flow, with a delightful rasp to his tone that makes each track he is on sizzle. There is a melancholy mood to the mid tempo, just someone trying their best to get through their mundane daily life, feeling as if they will never win.

“Voodoo” continues the 90s feel with a real West Coast vibe—Tupac, Dre, Snoop…this is where this track sits. This song hovers in a cloud of chronic, painting a picture of life in the hood. “Hope in the Hood” adds a level of darkness as a cloud passes over what had previously been a relaxed acceptance of circumstance. We also get a bold female vocal that cuts through the darkness like a ray of sunshine.

“Everybody’s Friend” brings Ebony Reign to the track, a female rapper who tears into the record with fierceness, showing off a delivery that reminds us a lot of Eve. On the track, Ebony has had it with the fakes and they can kiss her ass. Later in the project, “Sassy Frassy” gives us a twinkling piano underlying a rough hip hop percussion as a man contemplates the single life or going after the girl.

As we write this, Lisa is preparing to go into a life threatening surgery which may permanently destroy her voice. So as you listen to this incredible collection of music, which gave us all the retro feels, keep Lisa in your thoughts.

Tracks:

1. Everyday Struggle

2. Voodoo

3. Hope in the Hood

4. Everybody’s Friend

5. Lord of the night

6. Instascam - Special Version

7. Unbroken

8. Sassy Frassy

9. Beast With Rage

10. Same Ladder

11. Victory is Mine

12. Street Queens

13. Fierce

Antoin Gibson - Venom-Laced Tears

Venom-Laced Tears (Pop) Antoin Gibson comes to our blog this week with a roiling stormcloud of a track, “Venom-Laced Tears”. The record is equal parts dark, dangerous and ethereal, with a soundscape that we’d best describe as mystical. But while the production is delightfully lush, what hits us the hardest about the track are these delightfully poetic lyrics, descriptive and captivating. This is a track you want to listen to over and over again to capture every word. Delivered with a seductive whisper reminding us a lot of Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy”, Antoin slithers like a snake on this track. Dark, moody and intoxicating, we dug this excellent example of a stellar pen game.

Best Lyric: “Teardrops of venom cleanse the disease by disintegrating you.”

RydymX - Still chose love

Still chose love - RydymX (Rap) RydymX joins the blog this week with his latest single, “Still chose love”. A soulful string arrangement and heartfelt chord progression underlay a punchy percussion and crisp rap flow on the track, telling the story of a difficult childhood. But despite being subjected to the roughness of the world around him, the artist still chose love. The instrumentation gives us a nostalgic feel of the 2010s, and there’s a clear narrative here, describing an incident where our artist stood at the crossroads of choosing violence which would put him down a dark path or taking the high road. With an emotive flow paired with a soaring chorus, the track has a lot of heart, transforming the hip hop number into something with Top 40 crossover appeal.

Best Lyric: “Teacher said, oh you won’t be much. Life hit hard no gentle touch.”

Amara-Fe - Echoes (LP)

Echoes (LP) - Amara-Fe (Pop) Amara-Fe joins us this week, bringing us her 9-track LP “Echoes”. Having previously reviewed her work, it’s nice to have her back, especially with a full suite of tracks to dive into. But before we tell you why “Echoes” is a must listen, let’s talk a little bit about our artist.

Hailing from Mission, rising star Amara-Fe comes to us with deep-rooted connections to the music industry. With uncles Eugene & Rene jamming in Tulsa and a grandmother writing for Minnie Ripperton, music is in Amara-Fe’s blood. We’ve been fortunate to review Amara-Fe in the past when she brought us feel good track “To good for that” from her REBORN LP. There, a self confidence permeated the track in a Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” kinda way, with a pop Top 40 flare and hard hitting, theatrical vocals preaching a simple message: “Boy, bye!”

On “Echoes”, we get everything we want from Amara-Fe. Housed mostly in mid-tempo R&B, Amara-Fe is a supremely confident woman who isn’t afraid to open her heart, but at the same time knows when to close it to protect herself. This is a woman who knows both her boundaries and her worth, and is able to express all of that on an immaculately produced collection perfectly sequenced to tell a clear narrative. As such, it’s worthy of a straight through listen in order to go on the journey Amara-Fe has laid out for listeners.

The album starts with a snappy pop mid tempo , “Love Forever last”, a love song about wishing to prolong the highs of love. Amara-Fe is infatuated, but the vocals convey a relaxed ease about the feelings rather than anxious yearning. Like track itself, Amara-Fe rests comfortable in the pocket on this one, riding out the beat while wrapping herself in love. We particularly liked the little call and response moments.

“Don’t tear us apart” immediately takes a turn, as a soft piano ushers in an R&B midtempo. The love of the prior track has fallen apart, with the beautiful duet ballad descending into the melancholy of the end of love. This is our favorite track on the album, reminding us of a Chris Brown duet, with the passionate vocals we expect from this artist. Hit, hit, hit.

“Warning signs” is a song about hindsight being 20/20 . It’s a punchy groove with a cool guitar punctuation throughout to make a real head nodder, reminding us of early 00s productions. In this and other tracks, Amara-Fe often rides the line between sung vocals and rap in a way Ariana sometimes dips into.

“Love on another level” swings back to the positive with a ballad on unbreakable love. Amara-Fe confidently professes that she loves her person more than their own family does. This is the confidence we were first introduced to back in our first review. Amara-Fe knows exactly who she is and how good of a partner she is.

“Paper planes” continues our suite for guitar-forward tracks as Amara-Fe leans back into her lyrical flow about wild love that burns too hot too fast. The imagery in this one is fantastic. This was a runner up for favorite track.

“Why can’t you love me” feels like a sequel to “Love on another level”. In the latter, Amara-Fe knows the great love that she is, and now she’s asking why she’s not getting it in return. She continues to exude confidence. This a self assured, secure woman right here.

“To fly to cry” pulls us back into ballad where Amara-Fe walks away, says goodbye and does so holding her head high. This is the culmination of all that came before—our artist has realized that her lover didn’t deserve her, isn’t on her level, can’t reciprocate what she brings and she feels empowered walking away. This is a track for the jilted lover.

“Standing at the window” is the emotional fallout. While she might have walked out confidently, she’s got some pain to work through, and gives herself a pep talk on this track to get through and move on.

Finally album closer “You don’t own me” gives us everything we want from Amara-Fe—silky smooth vocals, confidence and a catchy midtempo. It’s the culmination of the entire project, an empowered ode to rising up and not allowing the love who didn’t deserve her to break her down. Amara-Fe, if anything, is a survivor.

All in all, “Echoes” is a cleverly written, passionately delivered R&B/pop crossover rumination on love, loss, heartbreak and confidence. This album is the perfect mix of feminine softness and feminist empowerment.

Tracks:

1. Love Forever last

2. Don’t tear us apart

3. Warning signs

4. Love on another level

5. Paper planes

6. Why can’t you love me

7. To fly to cry

8. Standing at the window

9. You don’t own me

Tobias Lund - Made Up My Mind

Made Up My Mind - Tobias Lund (Pop) This week, we are joined by Austin-based Danish artist Tobias Lund with latest track “Made Up My Mind”. Featuring local collaborators Jose Cafaro and JTB, the track is an R&B/pop hybrid which Tobias hopes highlights cross-cultural collaboration. On “Made Up My Mind”, we are treated to a honey smooth track with a healthy injection of funk, overall reminding us of early Maxwell tracks. That 90s neo soul feel comes with some music appreciation as well with a nice callout to Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work”. Each vocalist brings the heat, blending together to form a perfect little R&B supergroup.

Best Lyric: “Lying straight through your teeth there baby, it’s all plain to see.”

Kayla Ramos - Oceans Deep

Oceans Deep - Kayla Ramos (Pop) Kayla Ramos joins us this week with her latest track “Oceans Deep.” The California-born, Filipino-American singer-songwriter roots her craft in vulnerability and nostalgia. On “Oceans Deep”, a somber piano backs an ethereal, almost mystical, vocal, which drips with emotion. It’s the performance of a high priestess conducting a mountain top ritual. Kayla sings of a deep connection, where just one look from her love both overwhelms and fills her. The song is slow and steady, with a thudding heartbeat of a drum and subtle strings patiently driving us through the track. Overall, it’s a heavenly song that fully captures the themes of water as the listener is carried by a gentle current, floating along the soundscape. This one goes great with a hot bath in candlelight, a spa treatment or your daily meditation.

Best Lyric: “Every tide will only carry you to me.”

SHAB - Skin & Bones

Skin & Bones - SHAB (Pop) This week, SHAB joins us with pop/dance track “Skin & Bones”, paired with a sleek music video about a heavy subject matter. On its face, “Skin & Bones” is a dance track about not being able to live without someone, that their love makes SHAB more than just ‘skin and bones’. But in the music video, a slickly produced narrative with high choreo dance breaks, we learn that the song is inspired by the unbreakable bond SHAB has with her husband who a few years ago survived a car accident. This disclosure brings even more heart to the song, which undulates with palpable passion, as a punchy drum kit punctuates through an ear candy synth vocal to create a Top 40 ready pop confection.

Best Lyric: “Without your soul, I’m skin and bones.”