Harleighblu - “Vintage Love”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…Jamila Woods, Erykah Badu, Noname

Harleighblu followed up her standout 2019 record She last year with Crown, a four-song EP that continues to broaden the UK artist’s vibing, R&B sound. Neo soul melodies, pop grooves, and 90s R&B sounds all find space within Crown, a nice balance of experimental and accessible modes across her consistently strong material. There’s a little more hip hop influence on tracks like “Vintage Love” and the wild, jazzy melodies of “Body Count” as well - it stands out how precise Harleighblu sounds on Crown and that command in turn is a catalyst to her confident songwriting. (Kevin McStravick)

2020 Review: Harleighblu’s 2019 full-length She melds 90s-era new soul with modern alternate R&B in a cool, natural way, a dreamy, jazz and hip hop trip. The mood has a classic, smoky lounge air - Harleighblu’s croon at times takes feels like it’s bleeding off a fringed, black-and-white photo, studied in jazz-soul greats but delivered with understated swagger. A collaboration with hip hop producer Bluestaeb, also a SXSW artist this year, She brings in trip hop percussion, organic bass lines, at light, synthed out atmospherics as the future-soul backing for Harleighblu’s melodies.