Getting into the sonic world of Elmiene is all the time a heat and comforting affair. The Oxford singer-songwriter affords a mixture of dulcet tones, feathery strings and chilled-out synths to mull over whereas he shares a number of of his tales since turning into one of many UK’s latest R&B prospects. Solidifying his spot as a UK R&B luminary with 2023 EPs ‘El-Imply’ and ‘Marking My Time’, the 23-year-old has since labored with the likes of Stormzy and Sampha, supported SZA at her 2024 Hyde Park present and brought over the BBC Introducing stage ultimately yr’s Glastonbury. He’s even earned an Ivor Novello Award nomination – and the hype continues to be justified after listening to ‘Anyway I Can’.
Whereas in his realm, it appears like we’re visiting an previous pal – a testomony to Elmiene’s stellar storytelling expertise. ‘Ode To Win’ is a soothing tune about taking life at some point at a time – one thing he’s maybe learnt on his regular ascension. Dazzling strings shimmer within the background as he drops quite a few proverbs all through: “If I depart and I lose it, then I’ll be a idiot to the top / Step by way of the second once more and, hey, I’m helpless.”
‘Sweetness’ is extra metaphorical as syrupy and funky synths masks lyrics detailing the bitter feeling of breaking away out of your different half. Likening him and his associate to fruit, Elmiene suggests they ruined themselves by selecting each other: “Spoilt the place we’d somewhat be / We might have been simply advantageous, hanging up on the vine.”
The EP takes loads from ‘90s and ‘00s R&B; most notably, the guitar licks all through are nostalgic callbacks, paying homage to a Joe or D’Angelo track. Elmiene exhibits off his excessive register on ‘Crystal Tears’, hitting notes Maxwell can be pleased with over the sunshine drums and candy chimes. However songs like ‘Darkish Out (Season of Thieves)’ reimagine simply what R&B is. Because the velvety hum of the bass swipes throughout a aircraft of shimmery piano notes and guitar strums, Elmiene narrates the concern of falling for somebody: “It’s darkish out, the place is the regulation now? / You left me lonely in a season of thieves, it’s so low.” So quick but so irresistible, the track’s understated model is transcendent, amping up R&B’s already heartwarming core.
Because the hook for ‘In any case’ rings (“In any case, how have you ever been?”) over the dreamy instrumental, Elmiene wraps up our catch-up, leaving us to linger in his musical magic that make even the best moments really feel profound. Though this EP is a continuation of his signature muted sound and isn’t as wide-reaching as a few of his friends, ‘Anyway I Can’ is music with coronary heart – and Elmiene is aware of precisely how you can tug on it.
Particulars
- Launch date: October 25, 2024
- File label:Polydor Information/Def Jam Recordings
