Tag Archives: modern R&B

On ‘Do Whatchu Gotta,’ Jarrod Lawson Meets Heartbreak with Acceptance

When love reaches its expiration date, we must begin the painful process of accepting the cold, hard truth.

Just because it’s the right thing doesn’t mean it’s easy. There will be sleepless nights and second guessing. Our hearts will break (probably more than once).

With that said… who knew heartbreak could sound so good?

Jarrod Lawson delivers an emotionally captivating performance on “Do Whatchu Gotta.” The Nashville-based singer and multi-instrumentalist sends us into the stratosphere with a cosmic neo-soul ballad featuring an expert blend of jazz and R&B, providing the perfect environment for his otherworldly vocal abilities to shine.

“Do Whatchu Gotta” is a song about letting go in appreciation of the love that was, while acknowledging what it is not and can no longer be. With lines like…

“Girl, I hate to see you go.
Somehow, I’ve always known
Deep down, you needed more than me.
So, I guess it’s time to set you free.”

Lawson demonstrates a healthy and mature capacity for love — one that is secure in its understanding, and not possessive or controlling. In the process, Lawson invites room for reflection and self-discovery as post-breakup life unfolds.

Perhaps we’ll witness more of that unfolding on Lawson’s forthcoming album, Just Let It, which is set for release on May 1. In the meantime, “Do Whatchu Gotta” to make time to vibe to this one!

From the Soul: This Playlist is Fire!

Winter chill got you down? Our freshly-updated From the Soul playlist has the fire to keep us warm!

Vibrant textures, passionate vocals, and dynamic soundscapes are the order of the month here. We’ve added a bunch of new selections — including some from legends and Grammy nominees — that have come our way through various means, and we think you’re sure to find something that moves you as soon as you hit “Play.” Don’t let us keep you any longer!

Track listing:
Charles Wigg Walker – This Love is Gonna Last
Laura Nanou – I Try
Nadia Turner – Missing You (Live)
Nashmia – Butterfly
Cymande ft. Celeste – Only One Way
Otis Zheng – Wake Up
Yola – Symphony
Casey Russell – Patience
Cliff Beach – The Work
Mobley – Y’r Ghost
The Wood – Let it Loose
Beth White – Pretty Baby
Kelly Finnigan – Count Me Out
Luke Jenison – Heartbreaker
Watermelon Funk – AFRODESIAC
Fox Jackson – Like That
Shawney Rainne – Cry Me A River
mister pablo – Enough
Miranda Powell ft. Ryan Prewett – HIGH SCHOOL
MADNIK – These are the days

Celebrate Your Crazy with Yarin Glam’s ‘BURN IT DOWN’

If they’re going to call you crazy, you might as well own it.

On her new single, “BURN IT DOWN,” Yarin Glam explores a sense of ownership of the parts of ourselves that are hardest to love. A ethereal alt-pop soundscape — coupled with Glam’s stirring R&B vocals — paint a liberating picture, inspired by the breakup story of her sister and her ex-boyfriend.

“She’s a person that owns herself 100 percent; she loves her crazy side and she’ll always say it,” Glam said. “‘BURN IT DOWN’ is a song where you can own your ‘crazy’ and celebrate it.”

Go ahead. Watch the world burn…

LISTEN: On ‘The Other Side,’ Chxrry22 Embraces Duality

About five years ago, Toronto native Chxrry22 could have never imagined turning music into a career… until she began using social media to showcase her talents.

Her cover videos began going viral. From there, she dropped out of school, moved to Atlanta, and began pursuing music full-time. Eventually, she landed a deal with XO Records – co-founded by fellow Toronto native, The Weeknd – as the label’s first female artist.

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Claire Maisto Reflects on Preparing to ‘Graduate’ Amid Uncertainty

Across the country and world, we’ve heard stories about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted college graduates — from changes in the ceremonies themselves, to having to start their adult lives in the middle of a historic health crisis.

Ready to ‘Graduate?’

STNFXCE’s Debut EP, ‘STX//stns,’ Bravely Confronts Uncomfortable Emotions

Cover art: Alec Hudson

“Guess I fell on deaf ears— nobody hears me. Y’all see me cryin’
And y’all fear me, cuz when you ever seen a black man cry?
Unless he’s begging for his life, he can’t get teary eyed.”

-STNFXCE, “Solow”

STNFXCE (pronounced Stoneface) is a genre-melding contemporary soul artist from the South Side of Chicago. Despite his name and stoic-by-choice stage presence, his debut EP, STX//stns, is an exercise in vulnerability; one intended to challenge society’s stifling expectations of hypermasculinity among young black men.

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