3 Song Feature: Imani Mandora, Shauna Janai, and Lara Wilson
"On The Line", which features Omni Clutch, is a captivating, dreamy, and vulnerable record with lyrics that hold nothing back. The instrumentation is great. Complete with a guitar that sounds beyond crisp and that fades nicely into the back so that the dark beat can set the mood. Imani sings gently but conveys the hurt from what she is going through. The verse from Omni adds to the somber mood of the record; coming in to admit his own contribution to the madness. Sometimes a feature can be a detriment to the message of a song. For example, imagine a love song that has a feature artist rap or sing about money, cars, or the club. It has happened more times than you think if you really pay attention. However, Imani and Omni match each other’s energy well, harping on the sadness that they both express in the song. A nice track for your playlist rotation!
Shauna Janai breaks down all the "Pressure" with her beautiful voice on this new release. The production feels stripped back and man oh man those ad-libs are divine. The love comes right through the speakers and makes for a joyous record that celebrates the ways that love makes her feel. "Pressure" has all the makings of a record that is universally accessible but still feels very personal. We get a range of sceneries that are painted with the lyrics, and this helps to associate the song with our own emotions and individual experiences. Yet despite the music and lyrics, Shauna's voice is the star on this track. Her voice connected with me right away the first listen and still does after many spins. I hope you all feel what I do once you hit play on "Pressure"!
Lara Wilson can be heard firmly putting down her roots in the electro-R&B space (in all the best ways) on "Eyes Closed". When I shared Lara's latest release on my Instagram story when it dropped, I captioned that it felt like she was leveling up and I still stand firmly in that statement. I have no doubts that Lara could probably make any kind of music, her songwriting prowess and ear for great melodies is apparent. But it is her firm grasp on this fusion of electronic elements and R&B sensibilities that feels so natural (and so damn good!). The haunting production features swirling electronic beats and a sick knock that you just cannot deny. Lara does a great job of carrying the song vocally, never once getting lost in the gorgeous soundscape that is crafted here. This one is a vibe that I am confident you will like!
