Column aiming to present 6 glowing with quality tracks, under the “future soul” genus; An amalgam of soul, contemporary R&B and even hip-hop and electronic elements.
-not to be confused with Daley’s “Future Throwback Soul” term-
Nicole Chambers – ‘I’m Fine’
Quick pitch:
A simmering slice of classic R&B, swerving soul and a warm production by up-and-coming Nicole Chambers
dynamic: ★★★★/5
style: ★★★/5
performance: ★★★★/5
Trivia:
Nicole Chambers is a Canadian songwriter making music that speaks of truth,love, and self growth. Raised by the sounds of gospel via church, Chambers never considered music as a career until a high school teacher encouraged her to pursue it, taking a leap of faith she went to college to study jazz. With a new set of refined technical and songwriting skills, she felt much more confident stepping into music, reflected on her debut EP How Could I Forget. Since then, Chambers has emerged onto Toronto’s R&B scene by collaborating with various producers and artists building a loyal community of fans around her music.
Imani Wj Wright – ‘Consistency’
Quick pitch:
A mesmerizing example of neo soul, mixed with jazzy noir soundscapes to fill the urban void… Among the best Future Soul anthems of 2020!
dynamic: ★★★★★/5
style: ★★★★★/5
performance: ★★★★★/5
Trivia:
Wright is a classically trained 21 year old musician from Baltimore, Maryland who’s won numerous accolades for his musical skills. One of those accolades being from The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, conferring him with an “Outstanding Performance’’ award. Some of his musical performances also include a headlining show at the Kennedy Centre, on August 24, 2019. This well received performance fused elements of Opera, Jazz, and R&B. It included his most known piece “So I Thought”, and an array of other pieces written by Wright. He also boasts an impressive track record, having performed in 10+ Sofar Sounds cities across the United States, including a scintillating performance at their 10th Anniversary show in Seattle,Washington.”
Ben Brown – ‘Socks & Sliders’
Quick pitch:
A neo-soul infused single combining jazzy chords, soulful vocals, and catchy choruses to deliver the ultimate feel-good vibes!
dynamic: ★★★/5
style: ★★★★/5
performance: ★★★/5
Trivia:
Ben Brown is a singer-songwriter from London who blends neo-soul, disco and pop elements to create an exciting and infectious sound consisting of soulful vocal melodies and funky guitar licks. He has described his music as ‘feel-good music, intended to make you swagger around the kitchen with a skip in your step!’ Ben plays on ‘tongue & cheek’ lyrical themes to keep the vocal as bright as the groove it sits on.
He has drawn influence from a variety of genres: from pop superstar Bruno Mars, to Tom Misch in the neo-soul scene, as well as disco legend Nile Rodgers. Honing his unique performance style on the London scene, Ben delivers an upbeat set designed to get audiences moving. Record of the Day described Ben’s style as ‘breezy and easy-going with cleverly crafted lyrics’.
Aylin – ‘Bad At Love’
Quick pitch:
A sultry neo soul/contemporary r&b blend about an end of a relationship that lasted for a long time, explaining what type of person Aylin became after breaking up… Addiction!
dynamic: ★★★★/5
style: ★★★★/5
performance: ★★★★/5
Trivia:
Based in Bristol, England, Aylin is Aylin Gasparini, a singer-songwriter.
Born in Turin, Italy, in 1998, with Italians origins from her father and Turkish origins from her mother.
Raised with music thanks to her grandfather that was a pianist and her father that has always been a music lover and passed down to her his passion.
Aylin has always been fascinated by the way music can make someone feel. Her father was used to sing her little brother and her to sleep every night and they had to guess what song was he singing. This little game brought her to fall in love with music even more. She started singing and covering songs with his father at the age of 6 and in this way her family found out about her talent.
THEO – ‘Coastin’
Quick pitch:
Debut music video for THEO; A transcendent blend of soulful sounds, emotive tones and catchy beats that will get you grooving…
dynamic: ★★★/5
style: ★★★★/5
performance: ★★★★/5
Trivia:
Striking and unapologetic, THEO draws on relatable day-to-day experiences as well as the issues closest to her heart, to blend soulful sounds, emotive tones and catchy beats that will get you grooving. From her lengthy childhood Christmas shows which involved every family member, to forming her closest friendships through music, and belting out a cheeky tune at Canavan’s karaoke; THEO has always found solace expressing herself through music.
Born to Irish parents, THEO grew up in the English countryside to the sweet sounds of old Irish soul, with The Commitments and Van Morrison’s lyrics being woven into her artistic tapestry. She credits experimenting on the piano and immersing herself in Soundcloud rabbit-holes to developing her distinct taste for soul and hip-hop. Soaking up the sounds of artists like Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Charlotte Day Wilson and The Internet as a teenager, THEO has been scribbling lyrics into notebooks and humming riffs ever since.
THEO is excited to release her first EP ‘Everyone Starts Somewhere’ in the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled for sounds you don’t want to miss.
CLOUDNiNE – ‘Lovable’
Quick pitch:
The 3rd single of CLOUDNiNE’s upcoming album is undeniably ‘loveable’…
dynamic: ★★★★★/5
style: ★★★★★/5
performance: ★★★/5
Trivia:
CLOUDNiNE is a producer, singer, and multiinstrumentalist based in Marseille, France. He led a medical and scientific carrier that led him to Birmingham, UK and Chapel Hill, North Carolina for a few years before returning back to France. Next to his professional career, music has always
been the center of his life ! Since age 15, he played in countless jazz bands in France, UK and US as a piano player. But he never had te chance to present his own music. Getting into his 30’s, he knew that now was the right moment to drop it out.
“Soul Professor”: Christos Doukakis