As one of the first Black women to carve a niche in the predominantly white country music scene of the late 1960s, Martell's contributions transcended melodies to challenge norms and pave pathways for future generations. Her career—a blend of country soul, poignant storytelling, and relentless pioneering spirit—mirrors a live show filled with moments of triumph, resilience, and unparalleled talent.

Look Both Ways doesn’t skim the surface; it delves into the complex yet unyielding truth at the heart of unconditional love. It’s a lyrical expedition marked by candid introspection and palpable emotional resonance. As someone who resonates with the cautious balance between the head and heart, indicated by a Taurus Sun, Leo Rising, and Libra Moon, the theme of looking both ways strikes a chord. DeRosa has crafted a perfect rom-com narrative within 3 minutes and 3 seconds, a testament to her songwriting prowess.

Robbins is a poet at heart: a fact that is immediately apparent from the lyrical content of his songs and from doing any cursory look at his background. Through his work as an emcee and as a teacher of spoken word art, it becomes even more apparent that Robbins is a student of the poetic arts through and through. He says on his Facebook page that his art is meant to bridge gaps between different worlds, which he does on more than one front through his work. His artist bio says that “his art acts as a means of finding legitimacy in a world in which he has yet to obtain a stable sense of self within…in both urban and suburban communities.” Not only that, but his work reflects a bridge between the power of performance art and slam poetry and the more structured, consumable art of songwriting. His feet are firmly planted in both worlds simultaneously, finding common ground between these seemingly disparate worlds and proving that art can be beyond just, as he puts it, “where you’re from.” 

‘Burning In My Arms’ is another high-energy summer anthem with the passionate vocals we all long for on the dancefloor, with the build-ups you expect for those hands-in-the-air moments in clubs, festivals, and cars globally.

Hopefully, this serves as a suitable and enjoyable introduction to one of the most assuredly exciting voices in R&B at the current moment. Below is a playlist with some of my other favorites to get your journey started without a hitch. Happy listening.

Within the confines of R&B as a genre, you’ll find a deluge of interesting, wholly unique art that you can’t find anywhere else. Whether it’s the cocaine-laden, bad-boy musings of someone like The Weeknd or the afro-futurist concept albums of Janelle Monae, the genre is ever-expanding and evolving. We’ve entered a golden era of boundary-pushing, high-concept R&B that can provide the soundtrack to late nights as much as it can provoke dynamic conversation.

Mal’s style has been steadily developing over the last year, with the previous single ‘Oven’ infusing this soft, poetic sound with trip-hop-inspired embellishments, a move I adore. ‘Oven’ is a direct continuation of Mal's groundwork with the last EP, but it expands their sonic palette into a much more avant-garde and intriguing direction. The layering of vocals, with subsequent tracks getting the slightest bit more delayed, accompany this warping and bending wall of background sound to create something beyond psychedelic.

The playlist's vibe was meant to be a fusion of feeling like your best self and accepting some things can't change. I wanted it to feel bright and bubbly but with a notice of emotionality. Songs like the Don Dada or Immaterial were meant to be pump-ups between some more reflective moments like Ben Franklin or Eugene.

Bales released his latest single; IT’S MY FAULT. This is a self-reflective sound piece that explores a relationship that didn’t go as planned–which isn’t anything new, especially in this new era of alt-pop.

Hot off his most recent album, the dystopic, blue-tinted world of “Stop It God,” Zuli Jr. has returned with a new single and accompanying music video. Those familiar with our publication will have seen my previous work with Zuli, namely the full, track-by-track breakdown we did of his album.

Each track on Cruz’s debut album has a decidedly homegrown feel. This could be partly because the album was forged over the early pandemic days—possibly emboldening the isolated and, at times, spare tone of the record. Not only does every song share the same forlorn carefulness, but all of the records live and breathe through Cruz’s lyrical abilities.

Nearly two decades ago, Joss Stone entered the industry with her debut studio album, Mind Body & Soul. It was an album that I knew front to back. An album that I didn’t really understand at nine years old. But it was also an album that I loved. Over the last two decades, Joss Stone has always managed to stay consistent in her intentions of making music she loves and connecting with people.

A song that reminds you of summertime. A song that makes you sad. A song that reminds you of home. Your top five albums of the last decade. A song that moves you forward.

A song that reminds you of summertime. A song that makes you sad. A song that reminds you of home. Your top five albums of the last decade. A song that moves you forward.

Affectionately named after West’s late mother, “Donda” is as much of a tribute to the woman as it isn’t. Much like most of Kanye’s work past 2011, the album is characterized by its lack of cohesion, at least on the surface. Many of the tracks feel disparate and out of sequence from one another, providing a bit of whiplash from song to song.

The band describes “ISO” as a search for something more and a reflection of isolation. The song is a meditation on craving closeness so deeply that people seek it through convenient, temporary means that drive them further into isolation.

Michael Damani is a budding household name in Chicago, especially with his “White City, Black World” release last year, featured here at Alphabetical Order. Damani is the guitarist for Wyatt Waddell alongside other impressive feats, like touring with the iconic Original Chicago Blues All Stars.

When the initial rollout for Kanye West’s new album “Donda” started over a month ago, I had an idea of how I wanted to write about it — biting and critical of its apparent sloppiness. When it came time to sit down and click away at my keys, though, I found appreciation for the presentation of it all.

The nine-person group seeyousoon, which is transcending the emerging artists charts, released yet another gripping music video on August 11 for their new single “NO DAYLIGHT.” Following the release of their first album “VIDÉ” (2020), and their 2021 single “Faster Please,” “NO DAYLIGHT '' is their first single off their forthcoming second album.

Religious morals and responsibilities can feel outdated like old comics and the verses can lose their meaning. For every person bowing their head in prayer, there’s another contemplating whether to continue to call their church or temple home. Nashville’s Jonathan Bailey compares this feeling of change to running out of a safety line in his single “Slack.”