Four Songs You Missed This Month...

As June is coming to a close, there have been many notable releases from Isaiah Rashad, Tyler, the Creator, and Vince Staples (all accompanied with the promise of new, long awaited albums), to Migos, H.E.R., John Mayer, Lorde, and more. While these, for most of us, are must listens, there are a few singles that might have flown under your radar this month.

Here are some new songs from artists that deserve your attention:

#1. Uh Huh Okay - Emmavie, ROMderful

First up on the list is "Uh Huh Okay" by Emmavie and ROMderful. "Uh Huh Okay" is perfectly bouncy and vibey. You'll immediately find yourself bobbing your head. This track doesn't pull any punches and doesn't waste time. Let's be honest, the majority of music throws the standard space of instrumental before the vocal accompaniment. This can get predictable at times. However, the sudden start to "Uh Huh Okay" encapsulates the feel of this track: refreshing.

Two incredible artists in their own right, both Emmavie and ROMderful show off on this new single. Singer, producer, and songwriter, Emmavie, starts it off with eagerness, demonstrating an ease that testifies to her mastery as a songwriter. It's like she knows she made a hit. And to that I would say: indeed.

ROMderful on the other hand displays his signature sound. I love his sound, mainly the guitar he uses over many of his works. It just has this metallic rawness to it that only sound great in particular hands. The production is creatively balanced with Emmavie's voice and I really couldn't ask for more.

I can't think of a reason to not enjoy this track. Every level of it is unique, from Emmavie's runs to the background vocals and guitar by ROMderful, to the way it makes you want to sway and groove. This is a single that you don't want to miss.

#2. Assim - ¿Téo? (feat. Mirella Costa)

For my birthday, I'm going to wish for more people to know who ¿Téo? is. It's honestly a shame. But alas, this is the purpose of The Highland Blog. ¿Téo? Put out one of my favorite albums of in the last several years, ¿Téo?. I consistently return to it to this day. "Assim" is a new track from his newly released album, Sol, which I would recommend you go listen to.

As my favorite track from Sol, "Assim" is just so addictive. The way ¿Téo? flips between Spanish and English over trap drums and a bossa nova-esque guitar melody can't be ignored. It's just skillful. This is confirmed by his rap verses. A song can easily be disrupted when an artist does one thing well but stumbles in another. However, ¿Téo? proves his flexibility as he transitions between singing the main hook, raps, and even joins Morella Costa in a melodic duet over the bridge.

My favorite piece of "Assim", and I'm sure it will be yours as well, is the chorus. As soon as I heard it I knew for a fact ¿Téo? could do no wrong. It's one of the most tasteful choruses I've heard this year alone.

#3. Reset Time - Saber Agnew

Okay. In all honesty, I lied to you. This is a list of songs released this month, but this one released in May. I just had to add it because I wanted to make sure I added this in.

"Reset Time" by Saber Agnew is a track I want you to listen to. Why? The dude is only 16 years old. Yes, I know. What were you doing at 16? My point is, this song alone made me a fan and when I learned he wasn't even 20 I had to show some love. I would easily put this up with the more popular RnB being released today, and it has way more replay value, in my opinion, than a lot of what is out there.

This track has an intriguing feel to it. The tone is very digital which works in its favor. Saber delivers an honest and decisive vocal performance as he sings to a lost (or failing) love. These vocals are acccompanied by choppy bass hits and synths that remind me of Mega-Man games (ever play Mega-Man 8 on the PS2? Great game...) and it feels beautifully nostalgic. It plays like a video game and I couldn't want it any other way.

I adore this track because it isn't heavy with grumbling bass and rapid fire hi-hats and snares dominating the track. A lot of RnB/Trap Soul in today's scene fill themselves with these and it can get boring if there aren't any other features stealing your attention. With that, "Reset Time" has enough within itself to place itself within the RnB genre, but it remains unique with it's video game/futuristic aethsetic.

Saber Agnew shows so much promise and I pray that he only goes up from here.

#4. Messy Love - Nao

I have been a fan of Nao since her 2016 album, For All We Know. My respect for her skyrocketed with the release of her most recent album, Saturn (2018), which was an incredible body of work. Beautiful, spacey, heart-on-the-table vocals? Check. Vibey, groovy, and ambient instrumentals? Check. Great features and heavy lyricism? Check. It was one of my favorite albums that year and the next easily.

With that said, "Messy Love" is the third single released by Nao leading up to her next album. I gravitated (yes, that was on purpose) to this single immediately because it blends the sound I loved from both For All We Know and Saturn. It's almost as if she took her vocal performance from For All We Know and put it over an instrumental you would find in Saturn, and sheesh am I a fan.

One of the most notable aspects of Nao's music is her voice. It has this bright rasp to it with two dashes of nasally alto-soprano, and it's magnificent. I don't quite know who to compare her to and that is okay. Finding her music is like discovering a butterfly that's not supposed to be in your region but is there to stay. So, make sure to go check out this single and her albums. They are a must listen.

And there you go! Four songs released this month that I would recommend you check out. Don't forget to reach out to me on social media and let me know what you think!

From me to you,

Go high, to love.