Ayoni - “Unmoved (A Black Woman Truth)”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 4

Pairs Well With…Summer Walker, Lorde, Jazmine Sullivan

Ayoni explores the softest sides of R&B on 2019 full-length Iridescent and subsequent follow-up singles, often performing over a lone acoustic or electronic pop accompaniment to share her soul. By holding back, Los Angeles based artist is able to find moments to burst, often building to a relatively huge chorus or coda to bring her ideas home. This balance of open and full gives Ayoni’s music sense of purpose and a quiet, focused drive. Living in tender spaces plays counter to much pop-R&B instincts well - Ayoni smartly adds harmonies vocally and musically throughout her music that gives hints of gospel and soul to round out her strongest songs. While Iridescent is a well-rounded introduction, 2020 single “Unmoved (A Black Woman Truth)” that is equally crushing and hopeful, a musical triumph that hopefully predicts more in 2022 from this necessary addition to the R&B canon. (Kevin McStravick)