PHOTO: Sage Phoenix
Forever (EP) - Sage Phoenix DJ (Pop/R&B) Sage Phoenix brings some delicious pop/r&b with their four-track EP Forever. Sage’s debut, following 2021 single Lose Our Minds, this collection of plush, midtempo tracks delivers a cohesive package of chill R&B with crossover pop appeal—if you want to make a top 40 comparison, think Neyo, but add a bit of 80s synthpop to it as well. So…if Neyo did the Stranger Things soundtrack? It’s very much giving that.
The EP starts with title track, Forever, the most uptempo song of the entire outing, and the middle ground of the 80s meets contemporary R&B genre mix that Sage has claimed for their project. The listener is immediately pulled into the EP by those glistening wind chimes–reminding us of classic R&B ballads like Janet’s “Funny How Time Flies”--and wastes no time diving right into a two-step inducing bop. The restraint on the vocal production is appreciated—traditionally in songs like this the lead vocal is distorted, verbed and buried into the instrumentation. Here, in a very Sam Smith way, Sage’s strong vocal performance is left to shine, sitting front and center.
Next, Sage slows it down and is joined by Syauqi Destanika for a glorious duet that in our opinion is the standout track of the entire project—Angel. The production is lively, and begins leaning more into the 80s synthpop elements, particularly with the lofi drums. Sage and Syauqi’s vocals are a beautiful pairing, and it’s when the two sing in unison that the track hits the heavens. It’s a great example of how something can be more than the sum of its parts. The Phil Collins-esque gated drums complete the track to make it the strongest of the impressive set.
Carrying on with the synthpop vibe but picking up the tempo a bit, Make You Mine is led by those buzzy lofi synths that continue to make a strong comeback in contemporary pop, accompanied by some twinkling rhodes and sawtooth lead lines for several helpings of earcandy. With this track our transportation to the 80s is complete. The most notable part of this midtempo is Sage’s voice. It’s on full display here, particularly when they hit the higher registers. It is up there in the rafters that Sage’s voice rings as clear as those rhodes in the background.
Finally, Without Your Love closes the project with a more traditional piano driven production—leaving the 80s behind for more of a 00s Mary J or Mariah Carey ballad. While our personal favorite is Angel, Without Your Love is the clear radio single for the project. The lyrics are vulnerable and the Sage’s focused tenor is accompanied by the most beautiful backgrounds of the entire EP—nearly stealing the show at times. It’s a great finale to a tight package of well crafted, genre-melding ballads.
All in all, Forever is a strong collection of timeless R&B midtempos and ballads where Sage is left to shine by the strength of their vocal performance.