R&B/Soul singer-songwriter Jhené Aiko has been having such a great effect on the music industry for the past three years now. She began her career in 2002 being referred to as “Lil Fizz’s (B2K) cousin”, but with her trademark subtle soothing voice, her individual talents and attributes did not go unnoticed as she grew her own wings, making her solo debut in 2011 and signing with the right record label Artium (No I.D’s record label distributed through Def Jam Recordings) – Jhené Aiko has been on a high musically ever since. She has collaborated with some of your favourite artists including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, J. Cole, Childish Gambino and Wale, appearing on the US Billboard Singles Chart on several occasions in the past two years.
The Los Angeles native has unique vocals that set her apart from any other musicians at the moment – when you hear her voice on a track, you instantly know that it is Jhené Aiko, which is why, as an artist she is simply gifted. Listening to her music is like listening to poetry. No matter what musical production is behind her vocals, whether it is a smooth milieu on a slow or mid tempo song, she continuously delivers. Her musical style is often described as “new wave” R&B or Alt-R&B and this alternative take on contemporary R&B was very evident in her critically acclaimed debut mixtape Sailing Souls and last year’s Def Jam-released Sail Out EP.
To mark her 26th birthday earlier in the week (March 16), Jhené Aiko has gifted her fans a new song for our ears to devour titled “My Afternoon Dream”, on which we hear her Pop-tingled soft vocals in glorious effect – this track is my tip for Best New Music for this week. I really like this number because Jhené does it yet again as she showcases some of her enthralling vocals on the refreshing new song which is produced by Key Wayne. The song is a chilled serene opus that provides a mix of classical piano, backed up by some nice drum work, which meshes nicely with Aiko’s soothing trademark vocals floating over the airy beat, with her seraphic harmonies. It is one of those songs you would want listen to after a long day to put your mind at ease, or if you’re chilling on a nice hot day, this song is perfect also.
The fast-rising L.A star continues to give us nice doses of her talents as she gears up to release her debut album Souled Out in May, coming on the back of the success of her debut EP Sail Out last year. Ms’ Aiko is a beautiful artist that deserves all the success that comes her way, there is simply no one in the industry that sounds like her, gives consistency like she does and always provides countless addictive tracks with her enchanting vocals. As of this moment, there is no word on whether “My Afternoon Dream” will be appearing on her upcoming debut album, so for now, have a listen to the song and view the accompanying visuals created by Aiko herself below.
Purchase: Jhené Aiko – Sailed Out EP (iTunes)
Words by Joannie Scarsbrook // Edited by Ayo Adepoju
