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NEW NOSTALGIA: When It Feels Like 90’s R&B Playlist
𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙉𝙊𝙎𝙏𝘼𝙇𝙂𝙄𝘼: 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐𝘵 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝟫𝟢𝘴 𝘙&𝘉 is a playlist I began this week, after noticing elements of sounds that were popularized during the 90s within the latest upcoming r&b music. As the ultimate 90s kid and r&b junkie that I am, I LOVE it when it’s done right. I will be updating this list weekly as I discover more and recall some of my recent favorites. It’s available on Apple Music and Spotify. Enjoy and share it with your friends. Cover Art by StellarFaerie music.apple.com/profile/StellarFaerie spotify.com/user/StellarFaerie
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Love Echoes To The Cosmos Mix (+Download)
As a true r&b/soul music junkie, it is not easy to find NEW songs about genuine romantic love between two people. These days, we are stuck with basic club and sex anthems, with the occasional heartbroken melody breaking through the airwaves. The other day, I was randomly inspired while designing collage concepts based on the beautiful aesthetics of the film Black Orpheus, to curate a list filled with current artists who speak on love and deeper experiences. I have done love-based mixes with heavier themes of lust, like Tease, Close, and Love Maker. This one is a bit different and has a classic soul – funk – jazz feel. The…
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TiDUS – My Energy Visual
Late last year, TiDUS began teasing his fans with short previews of new music. He then released two songs, Honestly and FYTB. Both singles sparked more anticipation for his upcoming project titled Once Your Believe In Yourself. A couple of months later comes the incredible official video for his latest single, My Energy. Although the artist has yet to share an official date of his new album, it’s common for him to spring his releases on us, surprisingly. We can expect definitely more new sounds soon. This simplistic video features a lone TiDUS, dancing and delivering inspiring words over a self-produced beat. The music true to his style and showcases…
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Rub n’ Alc – Poison IV
Rub n’ Alc released the perfect new song for the peak of the summer. We are familiar with the duo through their collaborations with Cub J. Hailing from both Evanston and Chicago, in Illinois, they are currently preparing to release a special new album entitled Increase the Drip. The introductory single Poison IV is indeed a “trippy” masterpiece—fluid with smooth instrumentation that left me bopping my head from the very first beat. Along with the other songs you can stream via their official SoundCloud, the music embodies many classic rhythm and blues elements, while creatively touching on themes of mental illness. Like many of my favorite dance-inducing jams, Poison IV…
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Jean Créme – Underwater EP
Jean Créme (formerly Alem Bey / Alem Banks) recently dropped a Drum & Bass driven instrumental EP that I immediately fell in love with—start to finish. I decided to have my first listen to UNDERWATER while preparing to hit the city streets for the night, and I’ve been getting ready to it ever since. I suspect that it was designed to energize, as each track is complete with a hypnotic loop and beautifully layered sounds that beckon one to move non-stop. Even the slightly more laid back track Chopped Screws is a major hip-rocker. I would love to hear this in a bar or the clubs. Check out the project…
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Lordapex – Interplanetary Funk LP
Interplanetary Funk LP by Lordapex could prompt anyone to catch an immediate vibe. This album is an absolute headbanger, from start to finish. Lordapex is gifted with a flow that juggles listeners from earthly concepts to imaginative abstract zones in between. This is, of course, is right up our alley! The British accent he delivers it all in somehow adds an intriguing flair to the style. I have so many personal favorites from this twenty-two track project. Some of my instant replays were Pretty Penny, Cyborg Luv Story, Em International, Palm Blunt Like Paint Brush, and Rick & Morty—with its incredible beat. I’m really looking forward to hearing this artist…
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ROSEWATER – Gemini. and Beer & Udon / While We Pretend EP
One of my favorite new-school lyricists, Blksunchild recently began to unveil some beautiful instrumental work under the alias ROSEWATER. The first project, Beer & Udon/While We Pretend EP is lush with dreamy and curious experimental sounds. He describes its purpose, saying “It’s hard to feel nowadays, so all I want to do is promote ‘feeling.’ It’s real simple, I’m here for yall.” The frolic fully welcomes and appreciates this sort of intent! There is a major jazz flair to the track dedicated to Amy Winehouse: FlowersForAmy—which is one of my favorites from the introductory project. You’ll also hear nostalgic anime voiceovers guiding us through the songs, along with other samples…
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Bria Zhanae – Lost In Love EP
Lost In Love is a truly beautiful project by upcoming R&B gem, Bria Zhanae, which I feel will speak to many people as loudly as it spoke to me upon first listening. This three-track EP features relaxing instrumentation and lyrics which will have your thoughts on full-blast at the emotions presented. She describes the project as a woman’s perspective coming out of a codependent relationship. She says “The project expresses that we sometimes have to let go in order to take that journey within, which is the most important journey that we take. In order to really know love we must know and love ourselves!” The Frolic is all about…
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TiDUS – Before It’s Too Late EP (+Download)
As all comes full circle, it was this time last year when Tidus reappeared with Soon You’ll Understand. Since the elusive musician stated the EP would be his first of three connected projects, he also gave listeners another helping of unique and dreamy sounds through the second part, Why We’re Here On Earth. Sealing off an era of exquisite growth comes the final Before It’s Too Late. Like in the first two parts, Tidus speaks to collective humanity through reflections on his own perspective and experiences. Because of this, it is easy to connect and be lost in both compelling word choice and the etheric fields that he creates with…
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The Ethnics – Recently EP
I happened to catch this fantastic bandcamp release a couple of months ago and thought I would finally share. This singer-producer duo calls themselves The Ethnics and their unifying new release titled Recently gleams with rhythmic soul jams that I got into immediately, upon listening. I also quickly noticed that they reflect on many true to life situations. Several every-day themes throughout this EP are familiar to me through experiences I have had myself, or other people in my life. My current favorites are TWT, Shea Butter, and Ice Cream. Check it out below and support this group! Buy Recently EP HERE
