New Music Spotlight: R&B Edition IV
Welcome back to The Daily Note’s weekly “New Music Spotlight”— where we talk about music your ears should be on, by artists to keep your eyes on.
This week’s “New Music Spotlight” showcases songs from artists who are emerging into the R&B soundscape and leaving listeners with something uniquely refreshing. Their music revolves around an artistic expression that feels boundless, candid, and embraces authenticity.
First Pick: “Hold On” by Phoenix James starts off somber then picks up with dreamy chords that deepen the yearning we hear throughout the song. As Phoenix James sings the lyrics “Don’t say done / Don’t say it’s over, oh / There’s still love, love / Can we just hold on? Hold,” we can feel the lingering hope being kept alive when love is still present in a yearning heart. The raw expression in this song is appreciated and can resonate with those who’ve yearned too close to the sun.
Second Pick: “heart of gold” by AAKHU is a song that feels like a joyful listen. Its production emulates sunshine and the lyrics are comprised of poetic lines that only a real lover could recognize. While AAKHU serenades the lyrics “The windows to your soul / I see the moon and stars / systems overload / I might lose control,” it’s clear that this is a song for lovers to dance to, and let love contagiously flow.
Third Pick: “Make Me Up” by Ania Hoo is warmly upbeat and has a deliciously danceable groove. This song is dance-inducing and makes you get up on your feet to experience the lush production in its entirety. Throughout the song, Ania Hoo delivers a performance that has a retro feel but maintains a uniquely crafted sound that is exclusively her own.