7 top tracks to dive in alt-R&B 2019
Among the music that motivates us and helps us stay focused, chillin’ from the eternal burden of the world, are the new Anglo sounds those that emerge from the transformation of R&B, pop, electronic and alternative independent sounds. Now we are closing a whole decade, and this year gifted us with all these incredible artists who played nonstop in our Spotify, we present our favourite 7 top tracks.
Kelsey Lu – I’m Not In Love
Kelsey Lu‘s pleasant voice captivated us in her single “I’m Not In Love”, a reinterpretation of the original 10cc track. Lu dusted off this seventies gem and made it her own, with ambient and experimental sounds that ended up being part of her debut album ‘Blood’.
Celeste – Father’s Son
The nu-soul singer Celeste, born in Brighton and based in London, released her emotional track “Father’s Son”, a moving hymn dedicated to those who had an absent father in their lives, possibly inspired by the complicated relationship she had with her own dad. Celeste is much more motivated by a feeling of deep sadness than happiness, as you can appreciate the result of that on this track.
Arlo Parks – I Like
2019 was a very busy year for Arlo Parks, London’s based artist gave us singles and two EPs which positioned her among the chosen ones of the BBC’s Sound of 2020 list, which is an important push for an up and coming artist, helping to conquer the airhead mainstream attention. We chose “I Like”, a track belonging to the EP ‘Super Sad Generation’.
Rachel Chinouriri – Riptide
Rachel Chinouriri is our new favourite artist from Croydon, forget about Stormzy (lol). The singer and songwriter with a short career of just two years, published her EP Mama’s Boy, with a more mature sound to her previous releases in 2018 and with this new material she seems to have found her sound.
Kindness – Lost Without (feat. Seinabo Sey)
“Lost Without” is such a hard track to get out of your head, produced by Kindness with Swedish artist Seinabo Sey in the vocals and Kelela, who also collaborates in this track as a producer. It was recorded on three different continents according to a press release. The song wanders between house, an 80-ish aura and alternative R&B, which makes it one of our favourites of this album ‘Something Like a War’.
Mahalia – Don’t Not Disturb
The bubbling growth of Mahalia during 2019 was unstoppable, single after single, it positioned her under the radar of the best radio stations in the UK, in no time she started touring across Europe, Australia and the US. The song “Do Not Disturb”, released in February, got our ears attention before knowing the acclaimed future of the Leicester artist.
Grenntea Peng – Downers
The singer and songwriter Greentea Peng, in her usual DIY and soothing-like-honey style, gave us “Downers” in July this year, a track to which it is impossible not to put the kettle on and light the green while it plays in the background. Since her debut EP ‘Sensi’, Greentea Peng has blessed us with other singles and her most recent production entitled ‘Rising’ released in November this year. What else do we want from her? Well … maybe some of her amazing tea recipes.
