I've been into darker 'alternative R&B' music lately -- we're now in the era of left field R&B -- as I've found it accompanies late nights and moody days really well. While The Weeknd, Frank Ocean and James Blake
have already become well known in the new wave of male experimental R&B singers, female vocalists like
Banks, FKA twigs, Tinashe, SZA, Lykke Li, Megan James from Purity Ring, and Jhené Aiko represent some sultry voices that beautifully contrast with often intense and experimental downtempo beats, as well as influences from hip-hop and trap. The result is beautifully dark, intense music that gives off a heavy, badass and sometimes acidic aura. Listen to my playlist "N I T E" below. You'll also find some features from rappers like Ab Soul and Kendrick Lamar.
In this playlist, I'd like to highlight music from Banks. What I love about Banks is that in live performances, as in this NPR Tiny Desk concert (below), she sounds exactly as she does on her record -- something I usually expect but is often not the case. Her voice is breathy and vulnerable, and her tracks are layered with gorgeous samples, including one from a rising, yet still underrated producer Shlohmo (see "Brain"). While wearing mostly black, Banks maintains a delicate and still-feminine presence -- a powerful singer who I think you should stay on the lookout for; I have a feeling she'll be popping up in the mainstream soon.
Thanks for listening! Stay turned for next week's post.