Naomi Sharon’s “The Only Love We Know” Is a Lush, Pain-Soaked Prelude to Transformation
Naomi Sharon is not here to be background music. With her upcoming EP The Only Love We Know, the Dutch-Caribbean singer reasserts herself as one of R&B’s most emotionally attuned voices — equal parts mythic and mournful. Due out May 9 via OVO Sound, the six-track collection promises…
Alex Isley Presents Her Most Intimate Work Yet With New EP ‘WHEN’
There’s a particular kind of bravery in subtlety—and Alex Isley wears it like silk. With WHEN, her first release under Warner Records in partnership with Free Lunch, the Grammy-nominated singer leans all the way into softness, choosing emotional intelligence over spectacle. The result is a collection of songs…
Elijah Blake: A Deep Dive into the Heartfelt World of ‘elijah.’
Mix together a rich vocal prowess, genre-defying sound, and a knack for storytelling, and you get Elijah Blake. The Dominican-American singer-songwriter has always had a knack for captivating audiences, and with his latest album, elijah., he elevates his artistry to new heights. This release not only reaffirms his…
Lost at Sea: Dua Lipa’s Confused Pop Odyssey on ‘Radical Optimism’
Dua Lipa ‘s highly anticipated third album, Radical Optimism, feels like a missed opportunity. While brimming with interesting sonic ideas, the record struggles with cohesion and catchy hooks. Lipa has always been an enigmatic pop figure, more comfortable with enigmatic pronouncements than personal revelation. This aloofness, once intriguing,…
Justin Timberlake’s “Everything I Thought It Was” Fails to Deliver on Redemption Arc
Justin Timberlake ‘s latest album, Everything I Thought It Was, attempts to course-correct his tarnished public image but ultimately falls flat. The bloated 18-track record lacks introspection and relies heavily on rehashed formulas from his past successes. Songs like “Flame” try to recapture the magic of FutureSex/LoveSounds’ “What…
Jennifer Lopez Chronicles Love and Legacy in ‘This Is Me…Now’
Jennifer Lopez returns with her highly anticipated solo album, This Is Me…Now, a reflective journey that serves as a sequel to her iconic 2002 release This Is Me…Then. Delving into her tumultuous love life and eventual fairytale ending with Ben Affleck, Lopez offers an introspective look at her…
“Finding a Balance: Nakhane’s ‘Bastard Jargon’ Blends Joy and Darkness”
When Nakhane began writing Bastard Jargon, they were determined to create “a sex album,” as they explained to Vogue earlier this year. The South African singer-songwriter, now based in South London, intended their third full-length album to be a celebration of joy, contrasting with their earlier, more melancholic…