What I’m Listening To…Neo-Soul
Hello readers! I love listening to music of all genres on a daily basis. I can’t go a day without popping on some headphones and listening to some upbeat tunes while I dance around my room or relax from a long day by listening to calming songs. In my segment “What I’m Listening To” I share some of my favorite song picks with you in a mini-playlist consisting of five tracks.
This month’s personal playlist is based around Neo-Soul music. As a term, it was coined by music industry entrepreneur Kedar Massenburg during the late 1990s to market and describe the style of music that emerged from soul and contemporary R&B. It was hard to pick just five tracks as it is with all of these playlists, but I hope you enjoy this mix of dance, ballad, and soulful tracks.
Why Don’t You by Cleo Sol
Cleo Sol, is an English singer-songwriter and this track is off her first EP, Winter Songs. ”. The track has a minimalistic composition where Cleo’s vocals are the main focus. It’s a song about encouraging self-love, personal growth, and letting go of external pressures. A reminder that we all need sometimes.
Love by Musiq Soulchild
This is my favorite ballad from Musiq that has powerful lyrics which are not only reflective, but spiritual as well. It debuted on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart on December 30, 2000, spent 38 weeks on the chart (its last being September 15, 2001), and peaked at #2.
Window Seat by Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu rose to prominence in the late 1990s when her debut studio album Baduizm (1997), placed her at the forefront of the neo soul movement, earning her the nickname “Queen of Neo Soul” by music critics. This song has a message of about shedding societal constraints, challenging “groupthink,” and achieving personal liberation.
Can’t Let Go by Anthony Hamilton
Anthony Hamilton is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actor who’s often compared to Al Green and Sam Cooke. I love his raspy vocal tone and this love song ballad by him is one of my favorites.
Orbit by Nao
Nao, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer from East London who herself coined the term “wonky funk” to describe her style. Her voice is so unique and lovely. This song is about a her reminiscing about a love she once had and how she still has feelings him.
With that last song, that ends this month’s edition of “What I’m Listening To”. What are some of your favorite Neo-Soul artists to listen to? Recommend some songs and singers in the comment section below!
It’s always hard to choose faves, isn’t it. I find it’s EXTRA hard to choose the last. Whether it’s the 10th on a list of 10 or the 100th on a list of 100….the last is the most painful.
Always, some lists are more definitive than others, but it’s so hard for me to make music playlists that aren’t 100 hours long.