Music

Chloe Bailey, “I’m More Than Just R&B – It’s Time to Break the Genre Mold!”

Chloe Bailey has been a star for most of her life. Breaking out as half of the duo Chloe x Halle in 2016, she achieved major success alongside her sister before going solo in 2021. Her debut album garnered praise from fans and critics alike for its musical ambition and eclectic blend of sounds. Despite her efforts to defy easy categorization with her art, Bailey finds herself repeatedly tagged with the label of R&B. She discussed this frustrating situation during a recent interview with Nylon.

Bailey explained that her R&B categorization stems from the color of her skin, not her sound. “Any music I do will easily and quickly be categorized as R&B because I’m a Black woman,” she noted. “If someone who didn’t have my skin tone made the same music, it would be in the pop categories. That’s just the way it’s always been in life.” As Bailey has grown older, her desire to break out of genre constraints has intensified. While she has found chart success, she is now seeking artistic success on her own terms. Bailey cited two singers who managed to shed the R&B label, one of whom is her mentor.

Chloe Bailey admired Beyoncé’s album “Cowboy Carter.” Having signed to the icon’s label in 2016, Bailey had a front-row seat to Beyoncé’s genre experimentation. “I was really proud of Beyoncé doing ‘Cowboy Carter’,” she asserted. “Because Black people originated country music. It’s just showing that possibilities are endless.” Bailey also mentioned Whitney Houston as a Black, female singer who proved that true crossover success is attainable.

However, Bailey isn’t aiming for Houston’s pop or Beyoncé’s country on her new album. She told Nylon that she’s carving out her own genre and musical path, inspired by the sounds of the Caribbean. The outlet cites “calypso, gospel, Afrobeats, and Carnival band music” as influences on her upcoming album, “Trouble In Paradise.” Bailey agreed, describing an overarching theme for the album as “[a] coming-of-age celebration of being a woman and having fun. Not taking life too seriously.” We can’t wait to hear it.

Artist Spotlight

“Empatia” by Aurien & Jab Vix set the tone for an atmospheric new era

“Empatia,“ the stunning electronic debut of Aurien, in collaboration with Jab Vix, is the start of a new creative universe under Aurien’s newly launched imprint Château Bonheur Musique. The track feels like a doorway into a curated emotional space, built from atmosphere, storytelling, and immersive sound design.

“Empatia” is founded upon a contemporary electronic aesthetics that favors texture. The production is sleek and considered, offering up soft rhythmic pulses within roomy layers that breathe. Working with Jab Vix gives texture and dynamics to Aurien’s perspective and sets the sound for the song. It’s more about feeling the music than looking for peaks of high energy. It builds slowly and invites you to sit in the mood.

A highlight is the “Elegant Mix,” which takes the original and gives it a more subdued, slicker makeover. It allows the heart of the composition to come through more intimately, and this duality reinforces the idea behind Château Bonheur Musique as environment, experience, and feeling. “Empatia” is a debut statement and manifesto for the immersive, emotionally intelligent electronic music that works as effortlessly as it does in shared spaces. It’s a thoughtful direction for Aurien, where sound is not just heard, but lived in.

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Artist Spotlight

Saint Escape injects an attitude into a classic for a new generation on latest release “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”

SAINT ESCAPE takes a classic favorite, “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” and gives it a new twist, transforming the iconic hit into an alternative rock statement full of personality and modern flair.

Rather than just repeating a familiar song, Saint Escape offers a bold vision to the track. There’s a touch of “baddiecore-lite” attitude, married with alt-rock vibes, a feeling that seems tailor-made for those who love nostalgia but want something that speaks to today. The result is familiar, yet refreshingly different.

The track establishes its own identity right from the first moments. The alternative rock styling provides a sharper edge to the song’s timeless themes, making for a dynamic listening experience that feels vibrant and contemporary. With confidence in every note, the performance can stand on its own but still respect the legacy of the original.

While acknowledging the song’s emotional and cultural significance, Saint Escape also celebrates a more rebellious aesthetic. The “baddiecore-lite” influence adds an interesting attitude to the track, making it feel fun, confident and effortlessly cool.

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