R&B is a genre that has a clearly defined narrative. More so than any other genre, R&B’s narrative defines what is to be considered R&B. With that being said, the challenge for the R&B artists of today is to create music that lives within the guidelines of the genre without relying on stereotypical tropes or regurgitating narratives from years past in different packaging.
I guess that is why I respect R&B artists who make a concerted effort to bring something different to the table, be it in their subject matter, singing from unfamiliar perspectives or in the production of their offerings. Leigh Audrey is one such artist who represents the new wave of R&B and artists’ efforts to separate themselves from the highly competitive R&B landscape in the country, which is no small task I might add. In this article, I have the pleasure of reviewing Leigh Audrey’s debut EP, Summer Rain.
The saying “first impressions last a lifetime” holds true in the world we live in. So, naturally, the intro song of your debut effort determines if listeners will continue to ‘walk the journey’ with an artist. The first song on the EP titled ‘Summer Rain’ is as perfect of an introduction to an artist that you can come by. From the onset, I was taken aback by the polished nature of her music. Her product carries the same quality you would expect from a seasoned artist. Beyond the quality of the audio, Leigh Audrey effortlessly serenades the production with her vocals. She displays an uncanny ability to recognise how and when to show off the upper echelons of her vocals without singing the listener to death. On the opposite end of the spectrum, she possesses an incredible writing ability with palatable melodies that are packed with meaning. As much as you enjoy the song from a casual point of view, it has a great deal of detail for those who listen “intensely”.
The next juncture of the EP I would like to highlight is on the third song on the EP titled ‘Maybe’. Remember how I alluded to the guidelines of R&B? The song ‘Maybe’ is a portrait of what I was talking about when I was praising the new crop of R&B artists. The production on ‘Maybe’ is visibly uptempo, and you would be forgiven for thinking that the song is a happy-go-lucky tune; however, that isn’t the case. The song’s subject matter is “darker” than what it presents itself to be. The song sees her lament over a lover’s inconsistent advances and how those advances are affecting her. The ability to contrast the “dark” subject matter against the upbeat tempo production of the song is a testament to Leigh Audrey’s penmanship.
Now that we have covered her vocal ability as well as her penmanship, we can move on to the lead single for the EP. ‘Hold Me’ perfectly blends everything that Leigh Audrey brings to the table as an artist. It sees her balance her vocal performance for the R&B sticklers while creating an atmosphere that appeals to the casual listener, and this boils down to Leigh Audrey’s beat selection. She managed to deliver a product that is concise in its presentation while offering a range of emotions, subject matter and stunning vocal displays.
That brings us to the final song on the EP, ‘Godspeed’. Much like the intro song, the outro song plays a pivotal role on an EP. As much as you would remember someone’s first impression, the “last impression” helps solidify the listener’s experience of a product. For the outro, Leigh Audrey expertly opted for a less production-heavy instrumental, allowing her the space for her vocals and penmanship to take centre stage. The song is carried by an array of leading and backing vocals from Leigh Audrey, and sometimes her songwriting ability feels akin to the execution of early 2000s R&B where collectives like Destiny’s Child dominated the airwaves. Ultimately, ‘Godspeed’ was the perfect way to tie a ribbon around this perfectly executed EP.
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