year: 2017
tones of: michael jackson, prince, bruno mars (but better)
genre samples: alternative r&b, soul, funk, pop, rock n roll
music: groovy, energetic, attitude, bold, sincere, sexy, funky, grown, beautiful, head rocking, swaggerific, futuristic, smooth, confident
favs: pineapple skies, city of angels, now, sky walker, told you so, caramelo duro
note: not sure how i missed this in Dec. (unacceptable really), but i sure am glad i circled back around to check in on miguel for no reason. #latebutgreat
score: 8.5/10
year: 2018
tones of: sade, wet, sinead o'connor
genre samples: alternative r&b, new age, soft pop
music: soothing, relaxing, smooth, chill, lovesick, clean, soft, delicate, romantic, melancholy, safe, silky, graceful, lush
favs: count to five, taste, waste, softly
note: if you listen to this album you might think rhye "sounds like a woman" but nope, he's a cisgender male. rhye is the artistic vehicle of one, michael milosh.
score: 7/10
year: 2016
tones of: drake (esp noah "40" shebib's production style), kid cudi, chris brown, childish gambino (on the kauai mixtape)
genre samples: r&b, rap, hip hop
music: chill, dark, trippy, mature, spacious, sexy, moody, hazy, ominous
favs: prblms, never know, alone/ea6, ex callin (cover of Future's "perkys callin"), gettin' old, worst luck
notes: 6lack is pronounced: "black". this was one of my favorite low key artists back in 2016 (this is a long over due sketch!). looking forward to his next project.
score: 7.5/10
year: 2016
tones of: anthony hamilton, cody chestnutt, the roots, bruno mars (on heart don't stand a chance), d'angelo, james brown (come down)
genre samples: r&b, jazz, hip hop, soul, psychedelic rock
music: playful, artistic, rhythmic, bouncy, spacey, atmospheric, live, instrumental
lyrics: straightforward, story-telling, autobiographical, simple, realistic
vocals: smooth, crooning, raspy, emotional, earnest
favs: the season i carry me, the bird, put me through, the waters, heart don't stand a chance, without you, come down, silicon valley, the dreamer
score: 8/10
note: in addition to being a singer and rapper, .Paak is also a talented producer - he actually produced six tracks on dr. dre's latest album.
year: 2014
tones of: janet jackson (voice), the weeknd, jesse lanza
genre samples: dubstep, indie-pop, r&b, drum and bass
music: cool, smooth, mechanical, sweeping
vocals: cascading, sensual, manipulated, stretched, soft, pitched
lyrics: direct, vulnerable, sexual, longing, needy, sweet
favs: two weeks, pendulum, video girl, give up
score: 8/10
nb: i was looking forward to what fka twigs would do with her LP since "Water Me" ranked 4th on my top tracks of 2013 (http://simmserely.blogspot.ro/2014/01/top-albumstracks-of-2013.html). the production here is so fresh and the music so bold. i am not disappointed.
year: 2013
tones of: the weeknd, colbie caillat (esp. on bed peace), miguel, drake
genre samples: r&b, hip hop, pop, dub
music: smooth, relaxing, dark, brooding, chill, nostalgic, intimate, peaceful, creeping, moody
lyrics: honest, vulnerable, angst, real, love and loss, painful, therapeutic, naked, raw, exposed, smart
favs: bed peace, the worst, comfort inn ending (freestyle)
nb: her name is pronounced [Juh-nay Ai-eeko], and this is just an EP. her LP is due out sometime next year.
score: 8/10
