New Music || Double Drake

A few days ago, a track from Drake's upcoming album Views From The 6 leaked and it is brilliant. The song, Can I, is minimalistic and features Beyonce and these two have already proved to be quite the duo with their previous track Mine. Although this on could do with more vocals from Bey and maybe a little beat change mid-way through, I do like the song.

But then, just to increase the hype a second track leaked which features new r'n'b vocalist Tinashe. On A Wave sounds a little unfinished with its abrupt ending but that may just be because it is a preview. Either way this is another track that has potential an sets a laid-back atmosphere for the album. 

New Video || Tinashe

Tinashe has dropped yet another video for her latest single All Hands On Deck without an appearance from featured artist Iggy Azalea.
Instead Tinashe takes centre stage in skimpy outfits as she dances around a construction site with some very provocative moves. Not my favourite Tinashe song or video but I am sure it will see commercial success.

Musique Muse End Of Year Awards | Best New Artist

Runner Up : Tinashe

This year has been the breakout year for Tinashe who was a virtually unknown singer 12 months ago. But she burst onto the scene at the start of the year with her commercially successful club track 2 On and became an Instagram favourite. 

Her album was a pleasant surprise because it sounded nothing like her debut single, which is a fun and catchy song, but her album provided more depth and creativity that showcased her talents as both a singer and songwriter. Tinashe is definitely not just another pretty faced popstar trying her luck at music - she is a real talent and I have a feeling she will really rise in 2015.

Winner : Jhene Aiko

It has been a long road for the singer/songwriter Jhene Aiko who was only really known as a feature artist on Drake songs up until this past year. After many critically acclaimed mixtapes, Jhene finally gave us an album and she didn't disappoint.

It remained true to her soulful and emotional sound and didn't try to tap in to any mainstream success which is what made it even more enjoyable. It was real and honest and different - it shone amongst an industry filled with autotune and sell outs. 

She has made a name for herself internationally and I cannot wait to see what the new year brings, hopefully a follow up album.

Album Review | Tinashe : Aquarius

Tinashe is a star in the making with a hit single under her belt already and a second single dropping last month. She has proved she can sing and dance and she certainly looks every inch the superstar but does she have the great music to go with it.
Her debut album, Aquarius, is released this week and has created a big buzz around the web already with many calling it one of the best albums of the year. A massive statement for a singer who has only just reached her twenties and has yet to score a number 1.
So here is my opinion on the 18 track album, without including the interludes (although they are not completely irrelevant and annoying like other people's)...

1. Aquarius

The title-track and album opener so there is a lot riding on this song, and it doesn't disappoint. Tinashe delivers sultry vocals, a heavy bass and a sexy rhythm and lyrics making it the perfect r'n'b jam. She successfully establishes an individual sound for herself in a competitive and heavily saturated female market.

2. Bet feat. Dev Hynes

Tinashe continues with this eerie r'n'b slow jam sound that is very similar to Tinashe's mixtape songs. The production on the chorus is really strong and innovative and truly stands out amongst the often repetitive music being played on the radio today.
The outro to the song includes a guitar solo which adds a beautiful musicality to the album that separates Tinashe from her fellow female artists.

3. Cold Sweat

Another sultry vocal from Tinashe which hasn't gotten tired yet. Even though each song is very similar in production and content, it is executed so well that it doesn't really matter. It seems authentic and, as I said before, really establishes individuality for this new female artist.

Outro, once again, takes a different turn keeping the intrigue on this five minute long track.

4. 2 On feat. Schoolboy Q

The popular debut single is still a catchy club hit and fits in quite nicely at this point in the album as the pace changes from soft and subtle to more uptempo and heavy-hitting.
It is a great song destined for mainstream success and offers Tinashe a chance to showcase her fun, party side and bring some energy and dance routines to stage, performance-wise.

5. How Many Times feat. Future

Yet another song with sexual lyrics, it is fast becoming Tinashe's go to subject which is understandable since she is a very attractive young lady and her vocals sit perfectly between sultry and soulful so it feels comfortable. I am admittedly not a fan of Future's flow on his verse, it is far too aggressive and does not fit with the song at all. It almost became comedic to here him shout 'tun up, tun up' after the beautiful and soft vocals from Tinashe.

6. Pretend feat. A$AP Rocky

Unlike the last feature, A$AP makes a very welcome appearance on this track. This song is an album favourite of mine - I love the heartfelt and relatable lyrics, the trippy production and the stunning vocal from Tinashe.
I think I fell it love with it more after seeing the video last week and really understanding the lyrics a lot more.

7. All Hands on Deck

Another change of pace and a short break from the sensual slow jams with this 2 On part 2 style track. All Hands on Deck is a fun dance track but nothing too exciting and it gets quite old quickly. A very forgettable track when wedged between some real great pieces of work.

8. Far Side of the Moon

This really reminds me of Jhene Aiko, which I am sure is a comparison Tinashe will hear a lot of after this album is released. Vocally, she sounds really different on this song but still brilliant and the production is just stellar on this particular song.

I love the melody of the chorus, the metaphor in the lyrics and the overall product that has been created, this comes in a very close second as my favourite song on the album.

9. Feels Like Vegas

A solid mid-tempo track that you are likely to hear at a high-end strip club, which is a compliment and says a lot about the melody of the song. One of the few songs on the album that could be another hit single because of its mainstream vibe without losing the authenticity of Tinashe as an artist.

10. Thug Cry

A Mike.Will.Made.It production, and after the success he has had these past couple of years, expectations for this song are high. Unfortunately it fell short. I wouldn't say it's a terrible song but, with the bar so high on this album, it doesn't quite live up to what else has been delivered up until this point.
It has grown on me since my first listen but there is still something missing from it that doesn't make it quite as memorable or captivating as the rest of the album.

11. Bated Breath

I feel like this is the first ballad on the album because it shares a vulnerability and honesty that makes Tinashe even more likeable. There are some really powerful and promising vocal moments from Tinashe proving that she may be no Beyonce or Ariana Grande but she can certainly sing.

12. Wildfire

As the closing number on the album, I hoped Tinashe would opt to go out with a bang seeing as though the majority of her album is mid-tempo, mellow yet production heavy. A fun dance number would have been perfect but Tinashe, instead, chose Wildfire, a mediocre pop song with no conclusive or memorable moment. 

It is never clever to end your album so lacklustre especially when it has been ridiculously strong up until this point. Although it is worth mentioning the closing 30 seconds were a nice addition. 

Overall, the album is amazing by the standards of other debut female r'n'b vocalists and in comparison to most r'n'b music being put out today regardless of gender. Early Tinashe fans will be very pleased that this album stays true the artist that T established herself as on her mixtapes and doesn't cross over too much into the commercial, dance sound that she experimented with on 2 On.
I was pleasantly surprised with almost every song on Aquarius and this could be the start of a very successful career for Tinashe if she continues along this sensual and slick R'n'B path.

Rating: 4/5

New Video : Tinashe

As the release of her debut album quickly approaches (and a review will be up by Sunday), Tinashe  is creating a buzz with her new single featuring A$AP Rocky, Pretend. 
The video just dropped today and it's a good 'un. Tinashe and A$AP play the role of friends who look at each other longingly (they are secretly in love) while T pretends she is in love with her boo. It may sound like a silly plot but it is played out well with some artistic shots and some entertaining scenes, it really fits with the song which is always a bonus.
I won't ruin the ending but it does take a dark and surprising turn, showcasing Tinashe's talent not just as a singer but as an well-rounded artist.

September Music | The Veronicas, Tinashe, Pia Mia and Esmee Denters

Esmee Denters - If I Could I Would

A young vocalist discovered on Youtube by a successful male singer and signed to a major record label. Esmee's story may have started much like Justin Beiber's but it didn't lead to as big a career in the music industry and after one album and a couple of singles Esmee disappeared from the limelight. 

I was never quite sure why things didn't work out for her because she certainly had the voice, the star power of Justin Timberlake behind her and some great music. Hopefully, this time round Esmee will get it right and her new single If I Could I Would is a strong start.

The Veronicas - You Ruin Me

Another musical comeback this month courtesy of Australian twins, The Veronicas and their stunning new ballad You Ruin Me.

I was a huge fan of these girls a few years ago and they have had massive success in their home country and a little overseas in America too. But this may be the song to bring them worldwide acknowledgement as this gritty and vocally strong track is a true emotional power ballad with lyrical genius.

Tinashe feat, A$AP Rocky - Pretend

Tinashe is following up her successful club hit 2 On with this pretty R'n'B ballad and it's a great choice. The vocals are really strong and the lyrics and sentiment behind the song is something most of us can relate and it's quite a heartfelt song. 

I even enjoyed the brief verse from disappearing rapper A$AP Rocky.

Pia Mia feat. Austin Mahone - Fill Me In

A song that sounds all too familiar but never gets old. Fill Me In, originally sung by Craig David, has always been a great song but this new version sung by Pia Mia and Austin Mahone is just as good as the original. Pia sounds great as always and I love the fact that she has chosen to update this song which is lesser known overseas.

New Music : Tinashe

Tinashe has dropped her next hit with this hot, mid-tempo track In The Meantime. It is very different from her mainstream track 2 On, with a strong bass and catchy hook and risque lyrics this track could have easily been on Beyonce's most recent album.

New Music : Tinashe

After massive mainstream success with her debut single, Tinashe is trying her luck again with another hot track, Xylophone. Although this mid-temp number isn't instantly catchy, it is well-produced and Tinashe proves she is a talented singer with some lovely vocals.
It's nice that she is slowly going back to her roots, as anyone who has heard her mixtapes will know she is a more underground R'n'B artist, so 2 On was a bit of a surprise in that it is a lot more commercial than anything she has ever made before. So I applaud that she is staying true to herself with Xylophone while still playing to a mainstream audience.

Twitter: @PaigeLouiseP

New Video : Tinashe

I love Tinashe, especially her new single featuring Schoolboy Q 2 On. I've already done an 'Introducing' feature on her and posted her single but now she finally has a video.
For a first video (well, not technically but commercially) she has done pretty well with great outfits, fast-paced scenes and a brief appearance from Schoolboy Q. It was also smart of her to showcase her talents as a dancer giving her female contemporaries something to compete with.

Introducing . . . Tinashe

Tinashe has all the ingredients of a superstar. She's only twenty years old, she can sing, write, produce and dance and she is sickeningly beautiful.
Tinashe released two mixtapes last year which got her signed to RCA records and saw her music being compared to Frank Ocean and The Weeknd, which I totally agree with. Her sound is definitely underground 'urban' and sets a dark and mellow atmosphere which is hard to describe so is best understood by actually listening to her music.
With her debut studio album set for release later this year, 2014 may be the year of Tinashe.