R&B with Pop is a growing synergy currently heard across the popular charts with its blend of solo soulful voices, tight grooves and commercial appeal. With the broad scope of musical styles lapping across our soul shores an EP like Shameboy by Elias Boussnina can regularly appear and its always worth a listen.
The Danish-Tunisian singers’ debut EP demonstrates R&B/Pop sumptuously produced with electronic synth beats. Across seven track Elias writes and expresses stories based on the complex world of relationships without exaggerated sentiment. For example; Love desired (Bring The Pain), love lost (05:30) and love misunderstood (Lost Ones) are all exemplary examples of mid-tempo R&B, melancholy in tone but accessible.
Elias takes his vocals up a notch and adds a party bounce vibe with Bring the Pain. This solid, head-nodding R&B single also features US rapper UnoTheActivist who appears briefly at the tracks end.
And speaking of appearances, upcoming Norwegian-Kenyan Lil Halima adds a little extra sparkle on ’13th Floor’ as this jewel shines in the collection. Together, the deep single flows with soul/hop rhythms, a heavy b-line and a catchy chorus. The EP’s final track She Will – also has a deliciously deep low end to counterbalance Elias’s gentle vocals.
Elias successfully manages to emulate the R&B forefathers with a broody and highly listenable EP. It’s a selection of good music which places easily into most modern playlists. However, a feeling Elias glides along the stream instead of splashing in it is hard to shake.
Perhaps we all don’t have to make waves and achieving music easy to enjoy is enough. You’ll have to be the judge.
Listen here: https://eliasboussnina.lnk.to/Shameboy
The Review
Review Breakdown
-
3.5
