Writing about music in lieu of human interaction
Oddball R&B artist and rapper Deej recently released, "Deejor," a single that exudes subdued swagger. There's a point on "Deejor" at which Deej, addressing a dude over his proclivities for messing around while out of town, murmurs, "They don't know you like I do." On a lesser track, the line might function as a plea … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Deej – Deejor
KELS, the brassy-voiced singer/songwriter, will be performing her debut EP, Slow Ryde, this Friday at Millvale's Mr. Smalls. The EP's title track is a mellow, R&B-tinged bounce that sees KELS address a significant other who, even when feelings run cold in the midst of turmoil, is able to "pull me in, make me feel again." … Continue reading Daily Yinz – KELS – Slow Ryde
Rapper Bilal Abbey recently released Crash Landing, a brief work that draws parallels between love and space exploration. The release kicks off with "Copper Skin," a collaboration with vocalist Mani Bahia that begins with the kind of grainy countdown you'd hear in a Tom Hanks movie, setting the stage for Bilal's exploration of Planet Romance. … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Bilal Abbey – Copper Skin (feat. Mani Bahia)
Angelea is a Pittsburgh singer who recently released her debut single, "AURA." The track is an alluring not-so-slow jam that combines R&B and hip-hop stylings to create a listen that's simultaneously mellow and dynamic. Its instrumental, produced by TopShelfLeek, sees moth wing hi-hats cut through a haze of hothouse synth tones; the lush sonic expanse … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Angelea – AURA
SAMURAE goes acoustic for the antimaterialist self-care ballad "Tree Talk." SAMURAE, an R&B artist who possesses a truly mighty set of pipes, strips her sound down to a simple guitar and piano combination for some "Tree Talk," allowing her muscular voice and introspective lyrics to take center stage. Overtop a swaying, Randy Newman-esque groove, SAMURAE … Continue reading Daily Yinz – SAMURAE – Tree Talk
Chandra Rhyme's latest single, "Bullet," is a slow jam that comes complete with an elegant, abstract lyric video. "Bullet" is an especially sensual entry in the extensive "love is a dangerous game" canon, as Chandra compares her experience with a romantic partner to a drug, an adrenaline spike, an internal struggle, and, yes, an 18th … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Chandra Rhyme – Bullet
Singer and rapper Quashon Sligh releases the single "Me" in advance of his upcoming album. Quashon, whose voice and singing style hearken back to the days when Usher and Ne-Yo ruled the airwaves, channels the latter's "Miss Independent" with "Me." Quashon pays tribute to a woman who's "been through so much"; she's moved from the … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Quashon Sligh – Me
Simone Joy Jones (aka S!MONE) is a Pittsburgh-based artist whose debut EP, Divine Mistakes, contains seven lush, multilayered R&B tracks. "Jealous," the EP's most propulsive cut, rides a rhythmic backbone that splits the difference between trap and reggaeton, with rapid-fire cymbal hits fluttering over a tresillo base. Glistening, jazz-tinged guitars drip from all directions, creating … Continue reading Daily Yinz – S!MONE – Jealous
SAMURAE is an R&B artist who complements a powerful singing voice with dreamy arrangements. SAMURAE's latest single, "Cotton Candy Clouds," saunters and sashays like something out of 1950s Hollywood; call it Sunset Strip District. Tasteful lounge piano and echoing finger snaps back SAMURAE as she remembers one sweet night spent downtown with a significant other. … Continue reading Daily Yinz – SAMURAE – Cotton Candy Clouds
Singer/rapper KeyDaIntro teams up with frequent collaborator Yorel Tifsim for the coolly scathing "Don't Care." Metaphors and similes are ripe ground for cliche, so it was refreshing to hear KeyDaIntro sing, "I detach like a microphone," in response to being scorned by a former compatriot. The line effortlessly blends creativity with attitude, and proves that, … Continue reading Daily Yinz – KeyDaInto – Don’t Care (prod. Yorel Tifsim)
Bored In Pittsburgh 