Charles Edison - June in February

June in February - Charles Edison (Rap) For our album review this week, we welcome Charles Edison to our blog with his 8-track project “June in February.” The project drips with lofi nostalgia, with lengthy pre-percussion intros and sped up retro samples that give the album a definitive personality and style. At the same time, this blend of retro and modern ends up making a collection of truly timeless tracks, also characterized by thoughtful and clever lyrics and a good dose of heart. But before we dive into the album, let’s talk a little about our artist.

Producer and rapper Charles Edison hails from South London, creating work that is intricately layered, creating immersive beats to pair with his raw and honest vocals. His work has drawn comparisons to Beardyman, Akala, Mike Skinner and Loyle Carner, while his instrumental production pulls inspiration from J-Dilla, Tom Misch, Jon Phonics and No ID. Pre-dating his latest project was “Vista Point”, a 14-track instrumental album that took inspiration from a roadtrip Charles took with his father on America’s west coast.

When it comes to “June in February”, Charles focuses on themes of self-discovery and contentment, and specifically draws inspiration from Common’s “Be” album with a nod to Marco Polo’s production style. Charles brings his conversational vocal delivery to his storytelling, focusing on introspection, with themes of addiction, remorse, gratitude and optimism.

“No More” kicks off the project with coffee shop rainy day lofi vibes that will serve as the backbone of the project before the hiphop percussion kicks in. A female vocal sample loops in the back to bring texture as Charles’ vocals are front and center, reminding us a bit of old Kanye joints. “Let Me Down” continues the mid-2000s retro sample underlay vibe. The track is lush with a drum kit from yesteryear bringing a good dose of nostalgia.

“No Love Lost” introduces a dose of melancholy, the instrumental feels emotionally heavier than the prior tracks, providing extra context to the theme of the record—not caring about those that aren’t into his art. “Shining on Me” almost feels like its sampling a Luther Vandross track, as the clouds part from the prior number for a sunnier affair.

“Any Time” gives us our first instrumental track, a plush retro lofi groove that pulls the listener in, almost like an intermission—a hand off to the back half of the project. “London” glistens, incorporating more sung vocals than the prior numbers, punctuated by horn stabs, with a flow that again reminds us a lot of College Dropout era Kanye.

“Florence” lays on top of a motown style sped up sample loop, as Charles dives into some dark lyrical territory—his regret over leaving his grandmother alone towards the end of her life, an illness, in order to push away his own feelings on the impending loss. It’s the most personal track of the project and certainly our favorite—a real standout. Finally, we say goodbye to the project with closing track “Say Goodbye”, which again sits on a motown style sample, and serves as a summation of Charles’ musical journey and his artistic expression.

With a fuzzy analog sensibility and emotional catharsis, “June in February” is a must listen.

TRACK LIST
No More
Let Me Down
No Love Lost
Shining on Me
Any Time
London
Florence
Say Goodbye

Boy Maj - PREMIUM VIBES Vol. 1

PREMIUM VIBES Vol. 1 - Boy Maj (Pop/R&B) For our EP review of the week, we welcome Boy Maj to our blog with his debut album, “PREMIUM VIBES Vol. 1”. This 10 track EP is giving us a non-skip project full of vibey midtempo jams. But before we dive into the project, and our favorite tracks, let’s talk a little bit about our artist.

Producer and singer-songwriter Boy Maj is a genre-bending artist hailing from Chicago, IL. His music is a fusion of sensual R&B and pop with a dose of 90s nostalgia. Growing up on pop, disco, rock and showtunes, Boy Maj seeks to blend his influences into his music, providing tracks that at the same time add to the soundtrack of people’s lives. Notably, track “FOR LIFE” is featured on Love is Blind Season 8.

The album kicks off with “POOLSIDE”, a summertime midtempo about basking in love. There’s a Bruno Mars quality to this track, and with a punchy kick, deep bass and splashy synths, the record is certainly a party anthem. We also get a remix of “POOLSIDE” at the end of the EP. “STRAWBERRY” moves us into a Neptunes style track, a minimalist instrumental production with Boy Maj dueting with himself through sung and rap vocals. It’s another breezy track meant for sun drenched outdoor dance floors.

“COOLIN’” slows us down a bit into a more lowkey chill vibe. With a verbed flute and organ stabs, this is our most retro track so far in the collection. “MISS LEAD” reminds us a lot of J. Cole’s “Workout” in the instrument selection and production, with Boy Maj singing about the threat of temptation at the club. “SPICY GIRL” begins with some spoken word and disco inspired instrumentation which gave us a bit of Michael Jackson vibes, pulling us back into the 80s with it’s funky feels.

“SUGAR” pulls Boy Maj’s vocals out of his trusted reverb for a close and intimate performance, giving a seductive ear worm. It’s the sexiest of all the tracks and ready for your bedroom jam playlist. “LIL MAMA” brings us out of the nostalgia for a very modern sounding record. Boy Maj’s vocals particularly shine on this one, and he gives us a track that very much feels like a former boy bander going solo. Of all the songs on the project, this one is the Top 40 charter.

As the collection comes to a close, we move to “BEFORE (I GET TO MEET YOU)” which brings us into a somber ballad, the first on the album so far. While the rest of the album is very focused on saucy party vibes, this one shows Boy Maj’s heart. Finally, we get “FOR LIFE” closing the album (before the “POOLSIDE” remix) which continues the earnestness of the prior track, and is definitely our pick for second single. We aren’t surprised this record ended up on a streaming placement. This song is one of those sing along in the shower records.

“PREMIUM VIBES Vol. 1” is no false advertising, and the album title says it all. Just in time for summer, every track on this no skip EP is playlist worthy one. Get into it.

Zeke Tha Freak - Better With You

Better With You - Zeke Tha Freak (Pop) We welcome trap-soul artist Zeke Tha Freak to the blog this week with latest track “Better With You.” Zeke’s got us in our retro vibes with this one, harkening back to the R&B/Hip Hop crossover tracks of the early 00s, drawing inspiration from the likes of Mac Miller, Anderson Paak and Childish Gambino. We, however, get real early Kanye and Twista productions from this one, with a slippery 808 sliding over a mellow R&B backing with some delightfully analog horn hits. We get a featured female vocalist for the chorus, while Zeke spits his rhymes about love and companionship. It’s an expertly mixed track with a real knock for the car—a great groove.

Best Lyric:  “Slow walk to the back of the bar.”

KATAVIA - RUN

RUN - KATAVIA (Pop) KATAVIA joins us this week with the official host city anthem of Geneva for the Women’s EURO 2025, specifically honoring female football pioneers like Megan Rapinoe, Patricia Panico and Linda Sembrant. KATAVIA is an electro-pop artist focusing on immersive sounds and rich emotions, pulling inspiration from the defining events of her life. The track is led by a driving bass line and punchy kick, showing great instrument separation in a supremely polished mix. The song contains some great build, the track sitting for us in the Sia universe. It’s a fight song with heart, and certainly perfect for a sports theme.

Best Lyric:  “Ready for the fight, we won’t be blinded by the sight.”

Nylessira - Little Lies

Little Lies - Nylessira (Pop) This week we’re joined by Nylessira with her latest track “Little Lies”. Teed up to be a club anthem, Nylessira’s soft and sultry vocals layer over a pumping pop dance track with dreamy synths that give a retro sensibility to the record. She tells the tale of being deceived in love, and red flags accumulating one by one until she realizes what’s going on. The production on the track is stellar, with the instrumental ebbing and flowing, giving peaks and valleys to keep the listener interested and engaged throughout the song. This one is a certified dance floor spinner that we can clearly envision blaring at sunny outdoor tea dances.

Best Lyric: “Red flags in your messages, I folded them like clothes.”

Ben Munro - Pretend (Remix)

Pretend (Remix) - Ben Munro (Pop) Ben Munro makes his debut on our blog with “Pretend (Remix)”, a lush and sweet record about a surprising meet cute. Opening with a wistful guitar, the crisp percussion quickly enters with sweeping strings to paint a lush sonic landscape. Once our tender male vocal joins the production, we hear his near disbelief that a girl he had a crush on ended up having feelings in return. The vulnerability is palpable on the track as Ben opens his heart both to a new love and to the audience. In sum, it’s a beautiful track about being hopelessly smitten.

Best Lyric:  “Now there’s someone for me. Now I’m not so lonely.”

Qymira - Melodrama

Melodrama - Qymira (R&B) This week we’re joined by Qymira with her latest track “Melodrama”. A slamming track chock full of ear candy, “Melodrama” is led by its booming bass and feels heavily influenced by retro R&B crossover. The vocals are a combination of spoken word and sung vocals, with the former taking the form of a raspy, seductive delivery that slinks through the track. There’s a danger to the record, it feels very “claws out”, as Qymira brings a theatrical intensity, well suited for a song about the manipulative pull of a lover’s personal drama. Also, don’t miss the slickly produced music video that accompanies the track.

Best Lyric: “Acts of a magician, master of illusion.”

The New Citizen Kane - A Love Fool

A Love Fool - The New Citizen Kane (Pop) The New Citizen Kane keeps churning out the hits with latest “A Love Fool”, a new track accompanied by several remixes, which follows our recent reviews of his albums “The Tales of Morpheus” and “Could Have Been”.  On “A Love Fool”, The New Citizen Kane delivers a mid tempo pop bop about being addicted to the apple of his eye.  The track is unique in that it contains several distinct movements with their own sonic landscapes.  The opening is more of an understated bubbly number, with references to candy and other cutesy sweetness.  But about halfway through, the track moves into something grander, as swelling strings take the sonics into a completely different universe, injecting more heart.  It’s a deceptively simple track elevated by its skillful production.

Best Lyric:  “How’d I get like this?  What’s so special ‘bout you?”

Echezona - Enyi (LP)

Enyi (LP) - Echezona (Afrobeat) This week, we welcome Echezona to our blog with the release of his latest LP “Enyi”.  This nine-track collection centers on different aspects of relationships, using a meld of afrobeat and hip hop to paint a sonically cohesive work with enough variation to keep things interesting.  But before we dive into our tracks, first a bit about the artist.

Echezona was born in the US to Nigerian immigrant parents.  Fluent in Igbo, the native Nigerian language, Echezona is a multi-lingual singer, rapper and songwriter.  His first hit was the afro-hip-hop fusion track “Galileo”, which was chosen for the soundtrack of the EASports 2K21 basketball game, ESPN TV airplay and an NBA national co-branding campaign.

As for “Enyi”, the album was recorded in Boston, MA at the studio of producer JPRiZM.  With the project, Echezona seeks to explore the core of the human experience—love, community, and self-discovery.  To do so, Echezona has fused many musical styles, but at the core draws inspiration from African culture.  Using his life story, Echezona hopes to embody the struggles and victories of life, and reflect universal truths to a global audience.

“Amazing” starts off the album with an afro beat party vibe.  Chock full of positivity, the song feels like a beam of sunlight.  The track is underlaid with a slippery bass which keeps the momentum. “Truthfully” continues the afro beat vibes, but cools things off a bit from the more dance centric opener, which will continue until for the next three tracks.  “Truthfully” simmers as Echelon’s layered vocals describes his difficulty finding the right girl for him.  The chorus on this one is extra catchy.

On “Rare”, Echezona warns a lover that his love is not easy to come by, while recognizing that he’s going to similarly have a hard time finding someone new.  “I never treat you like another jump off, you’re no trampoline,” is certainly our favorite lyric.  The understated production lends to the melancholy of the track. That vibe spills into “Flaws”, where his message turns to one of recognition that everyone comes with their own baggage.  It’s an uplifting number, telling his love that he is there to support, flaws and all.

“Stick Around” switches things up a bit with the beat picking up, putting us back in the dance space of the album opener.  There’s a carefree feel to this one, and definitely lends itself to radio play. “Evolve” uses clever lyrics to describe an ‘opposites attract’ kind of relationship.  In this relationship, Echezona admits he’s a bit more old school, but promises personal growth to bring them closer together.  The number simmers over a sauntering acoustic guitar.

“High Time” transitions the album into a suite of hip hop tracks to close the project, with the 808 coming front and center and the afro beat of the prior six tracks left behind.  Also Echezona adds rap leads to his R&B crooning to further switch things up.  Along with album closer “Locked In”, these two remind us of the 2010s, specifically productions by The Dream.  These two tracks sandwich “Wetin Dey Happen?”, another hip hop track, where Echezona wonders what went wrong in a relationship.  There’s a fun call and response to the verses here with the layered vocals.  The vocal production overall is varied on this one, and is great ear candy.

TRACKS:

1. Amazing

2. Truthfully

3. Rare

4. Flaws

5. Stick Around

6. Evolve

7. High Time

8. Wetin Dey Happen?

9. Locked In

Rebecca Anderson - Lay It All Down

Lay It All Down - Rebecca Anderson (Soul) Rebecca Anderson rounds out this week’s new features with her record “Lay It All Down.” Following soulful single “In the Beginning”, Rebecca tells us that her current track speaks of navigating life’s challenges and the balance between control and letting go, finding hope amidst uncertainty. The record is a dreamy waltz, centered on hypnotic lead vocals backed by a soulful chorus. While containing overtly religious undertones, the track has universal appeal, carried by its timeless sound and relatable message of giving oneself over the whims of fate. This track precedes her forthcoming album “Citizen of Heaven.”

Best Lyric: “So I’ll just wait here in your presence and I’ll leave this here with you.”

Rella - Into The Night

Into The Night - Rella (R&B) We welcome Rella to our blog this week with latest track “Into The Night”, a dreamy R&B cut where our artist extends beyond his typical rap roots. The mood is set immediately by the hazy synths, soon joined by Rella’s resonant autotuned baritone and muffled punchy drums. Overall the track is incredibly dreamy, almost hypnotic, as the bells in the chorus add some additional sparkle. The track is nearly a lullaby, with a soothing melody lulling listeners into a state of euphoria. We particularly appreciated the key change in the outro, something not done often these days, which immediately compelled us to put the track on a loop and take another listen. This is a quiet evening at home and glass of wine kind of track.

Theron RJ - Kular Of My Skin

Kular Of My Skin - Theron RJ (Pop/R&B) Theron RJ joins our blog this week with latest track “Kular Of My Skin”, a funky cut that wastes no time getting right to business. With seductive David Bowie-esque vocals, Theron RJ lays his silky baritone over a full on jam session, complete with guitar and bass licks, horn stabs and some smokey sax lines, describing a story of racial identity. The artist tells us the track is a contemplation of a time when black skin was considered ugly and dirty. But this heavy social commentary is made accessible over the catchiness of the tune, just as the best socially conscious songs do. In sum, this one is as toe tapping as it is thoughtful.

Best Lyric: “The color of my skin, can’t tell you how I am feeling deep down within.”

Weaux - Queer as Funk

Queer as Funk (EP) - Weaux (Pop/Funk) This week we welcome a new artist to our blog, Weaux, with a review of his latest 5-track EP “Queer as Funk.” Unabashedly queer and a self referential introduction to all he has to offer, there’s a lot to love about “Queer as Funk” and it will certainly put a smile on your face. But before we dig into the tracks, let’s take a look at our artist.

Weaux (pronounced “Woah!”) is a queer artist focusing on funky hyperpop, known for melding a Gen Z sense of humor with retro vibes. His stage name comes from a combination of his first and last name, Wayne Babineaux. Hailing from Houston, Weaux moved to New York to pursue acting, later pivoting into music. He describes the latest EP as “the ray of rainbow sunshine the world needs right now”, aiming to transport listeners to an alternate 80s funk-inspired universe of love and acceptance. Discovered by Skip Reeves the “Funkologist”, Weaux has been featured on terrestrial radio in Denver and San Francisco, and has cracked digital radio on Iconix Radio and Breaking Sound Radio. Weaux has also made significant inroads in New York and Houston as a live performer in the queer scene, who has also been featured in Houston’s leading LGBTQ magazine.

The EP is a cohesive collection of funk jams, very much in line with the “24k Magic” era of Bruno Mars. Mixing rap/spoken word with a slippery tenor sung vocal, the project is chock full of versatility, while remaining consistently on brand as a queer funk production. While rooted specifically in queer identity, the sonic landscape mostly veers away from what would be considered music catered for the queer community, instead giving us a lot of Prince and Michael Jackson vibes. The mix and master is light, fresh and funky.

Digging into the tracks, the vogue and ballroom inspired album intro “88 Keys” is led by a driving kick as Weaux initially introduces himself as a rapper. Feeling like an announcer at a ballroom competition, this track gave us feelings of “Call Me Mother” by RuPaul before veering into some Prince feeling falsetto vocals. Also, we tip our hat to anyone who can collapse Beyonce, Lizzo and Brene Brown into a single reference.

“Serious/Delirious” gives us those aforementioned Bruno Mars retro vibes. While established on the opening track, Weaux solidifies his Lyrical prowess on this song that preaches remaining positive in the face of adversity. A universal message with specific resonance to today’s queer community.

“Queer as Funk” really brings that 80s Prince feel with an infusion of Michael Jackson. Three tracks in, it is at its core an introduction to Weaux and all he has to offer, as Weaux describes his artistry with a “Rapper’s Delight” feeling flow. It’s the “stankiest groove that’s ever stunk.”

We then take a left turn with “Greatest Hit”, which slows things down to deliver a love ballad. It’s a stripped down production and is the track most unlike the others, showing Weaux’s versatility. The album returns to form with the closer, “Checklist Kind of Love”, which now runs down the rubric of exactly what Weaux needs from a lover. This is all done over that delicious and instantly recognizable NuFunk bassline, which drives the track.

All in all, “Queer as Funk” serves two purposes—it’s a red carpet welcome and 360 introduction of Weaux as an artist, while also creating smiles through upbeat catchy grooves and clever lyrics.

TRACKS:

1. 88 Keys

2. Serious/Delirious

3. Queer as Funk

4. Greatest Hit

5. Checklist Kind of Love

Rice - New Jack

New Jack - Rice (Rap) Rice joins our roster this week with latest track “New Jack”, a classic braggadocious stuttin’ track. Sonically, the record reminds us a lot of 00s Timbaland productions, with the mysterious eastern flute and dreamy guitar strum giving us “Indian Flute.” Cutting through this is, of course, the slamming hip hop percussion that we expect from the genre, while Rice uses a synth harmonizer to give added weight to his vocals that serve as great ear candy. The track is accompanied by a music video that interjects spoken word elements where Rice chats on the phone about his rise. Coming in at a tight 2 minutes, we only wish the track was longer! Guess it goes on repeat. ;)

Best Lyric: “I’m a shark in the water, brand new coup with somebody’s daughter.”

Anna Kaya - Pride

Pride - Anna Kaya (Pop/R&B) This week, we welcome Anna Kaya to our blog with “Pride”, a tune full of sass and empowerment that reminds us of the “Hit ‘Em Upstyle” tracks of the early 00s. With a minimalist production, the track leans on the strength of Anna’s vocals and specifically her emotive performance of the lyrics as the center of the record. Overall, the song is a sultry tango, with a resonant 808 bouncing in the back as delicate synth stabs and a hypnotic guitar pluck guide the mid tempo along. Giving us crossover R&B vibes, the track has a great sing-along-able chorus that makes the entire track infectious.

Best Lyric: “Your ego’s fragile like thin ice.”

1kxjoe - Shawty Nasty

Shawty Nasty - 1kxjoe (Rap) There’s something to be said for being brutally honest. On latest track, “Shawty Nasty”, 1kxjoe makes it explicitly clear that he loves a freak. His current girl is everything he could ask for, nasty and classy, so much so 1kxjoe isn’t going to share. The track’s beat slaps, with crispy trap percussion production cutting through some dreamy, hypnotic keys. It’s the pairing of the subject matter to the music that lets you know this isn’t just a sexual thing. While it’s front and center and definitely something 1kxjoe needs in a relationship, the instrumentation has a lot of heart, which helps communicate to the listener there’s something more to the love here than the carnal.

Best Lyric: “I ain’t slut shaming, she know I love me a ho.”