Brandy is back with the ethereal sound we love her for, Freeway gets back to rhyming, Leona Lewis sings about forbidden love and more in this week’s “Sonic Boom.”
Brandy – Two Eleven
Interestingly enough, Brandy’s lead single “Put it Down,” from her latest album is underwhelming and mediocre. However, Two Eleven as a whole is solid, so just skip over that one and listen to other gems like “Scared of Beautiful,” a song that explores the destructive ideas that go along with self-deprecation, “Wildest Dreams” about finally meeting the love of your life and more. It’s easy to re-fall in love with Brandy’s signature raspy voice and unearthly blend of ballads, slow jams and pop delights. Two Eleven is in stores today.
Sample it here.
Melodie and SoulGasm – SoulGasmic
One of the things I like about doing this column is that I’m not forced into industry/media politics so I don’t have to promote straight garbage. That being said, I’d like to introduce you to singer/songwriter Melodie and her band, SoulGasm. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing her sing live and it’s quite the experience. Melodie is always sassy, sophisticated and sexy and the girl can sang her arse off. Her pen game is equally as good. Melodie describes herself as a mix between Jill Scott, Aretha Franklin and Bette Midler and honed her talents at New York City’s LaGuardia High School (“The Fame School”) and at Five Towns college where she mjored in composition and voice and met her band. Melodie has shared the stage with artists like Fabulous, Mos Def, Chrisette Michele, Shirley Caesar and more. The actual EP craftily blends jazz, R&B, soul, comedy and inuendo. Check out tracks like the sultry “The Remedy” and “Mile High,” for starters.
Download the EP here.
Leona Lewis – “Sugar”
“Sugar” is about a forbidden but torrid affair with a bonafide heartbreaker. The literally racy track sounds like the musical version of a heartbeat as Lewis feverishly sings about her desire to quit but inability to let go. “Sugar’ will appear on the deluxe edition of Lews’ forthcoming sophomore album, Glassheart.
Listen here.
Freeway – Jungle
The Philadelphia rapper is back with “Jungle,” the first single from his impending album, Diamond in the Ruff, which is his first official full-length album since teaming up with Jake One for his his 2010 album, The Stimulus Package. The gritty beat, produced by Incredible Stro knocks and Freeway’s signature voice and rhyme cadence matches the hardcore intensity of the song.
Listen here.
Uni V Sol – “Lovely”
I discovered this electronic gem in my inbox over the weekend. The song is called “Lovely” and it’s by Uni V Sol, who also just released an accompanying video. Uni V Sol is a New Jersey native who happens to rap and sometimes sing. “Lovely” showcases the latter and it’s a deviation from the Uni V Sol’s oft-hardcore demeanor. The video matches the music’s soft robotic tone as a suited up Uni V Sol sings about the woman who “has what he wants and needs” amid flashing lights and a sliver dancing lady.
Check out the video here.
Starrene Rhett Rocque is a pop culture junky who often fantasizes about becoming a shotgun toting b-movie heroine, and aspires to save the world from the impending #ZombieApocolypse… In reality she’s a freelance entertainment journalist/blogger who muses about music, TV, movies and love. Follow her on Twitter@GangStarrGirl.
