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.