Madison McFerrin - “Dream” (w/ Photay)

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 9

Pairs Well With…Imogen Heap, SZA, Jamila Woods

R&B vocalist Madison McFerrin has continued to broaden her catalog since the release of 2019 EP You + I, sharing a couple singles a year that notably jump around the pop and soul spectrum. “Over The Ocean” resonates like a timeless, instrument-less chant (a cappella looping is McFerrin’s most enriching space) while “GUILTY” is a mantra chopped and reinvented over the course of the house-rhythm track. Her latest is a collaboration with electronic artist Photay, the appropriately titled “Dream” that filters classic girl-group pop melodies into an eclectic, electro-pop bounce. (Kevin McStravick)

2020 Review: While Madison McFerrin built her early singles and EPs Finding Foundations Vol. 1 and 2 on experimental, a cappella layering, the Brooklyn-based artist has grown to introduce some electronic instrumentation into her sound for 2019 EP You + I. Vocal soundscapes still lead a track like “Fallin’”, but McFerrin’s exploration of jazz balladry (“Know You Better”), downtempo trip hop (“Unwise”), and psychedelic synth pop/R&B (“No Room”) is where she sounds freshest and expertly smooth.