Aakhu - From a Place of Love
This EP is Aakhu’s most mature addition to his discography yet, not just in terms of the production quality but also in the ways Aakhu conveys his subject matters, lyrically and in the melodic tones he riffs through this wonderful project. From the uplifting and sleeve-rolling “Up!” to the almost tribal release of How It Goes, Aakhu plays leisurely and freely along the tape dropping gems of lyrical bliss and telling the message he wants to tell, that the things he’s telling us need to be said, and even though they may hurt when heard, it is all coming From a Place of Love. Aakhu shines on this project and leaves listeners wanting more of his vibe and his storytelling.
JPEGMAFIA - EP2!
JPEGMAFIA is another DMV rising artist who has taken the underground and now even mainstream world by storm, from his breakout, career-changing album, Veteran to working with the likes of Kenny Beats, Denzel Curry, and even Flume. The artist has only one direction he could possibly go at this point and that is up. Let me tell you, Peggy’s EP2! Is definitely a definitive step in that direction. Scratch that, an entire jog. The incredibly atmospheric and swelling production coating this tape gives it the almost anthemic feel of an encore. EP! Further showed Peggy’s versatility as an artist and a producer, EP2! Hammers this nail even further into the coffin. Fan favorites back at the home base include LAST DANCE!, FIX URSELF!, and PANIC ROOM!
Maxx Owa - Crescendo
Taking a slow, melodic, and infectiously rhythmic detour we find ourselves at the doorstep of Maxx Owa, a contemporary R&B artist on the rise and armed with a sultry and inviting voice as his sword and the ambient, comforting production as his shield. Every song sounds like a well-tied story from start to finish, with “Love Like” taking an almost afrobeat-esque approach to its drum patterns and synths, leaving just enough room for Owa to shine with his vocals.
Loveland, another favorite of ours, has Owa depicting his encounter with a goddess in this fictional “Loveland” and finding her more precious than all of mankind, and wants to know what it takes to match her energy and make her his. All in all, Crescendo does exactly what it sets out to do, gradually increasing in intensity and emotion until reaching a pinnacle point, a beautiful project.
Foggieraw - The Foggie Pound 2
The DMV’s long-awaited Fogtavious Vandross has finally returned with the sequel to his first EP which dropped almost half a decade ago. Having released the single “Drake” with local artist Kelow Latesha earlier in the year, plus a good few freestyles and loving features on other projects, such as his shared single with Ciscero, POETRY JAM, and his addition to Nic D’s Slide, Foggieraw was in prime position to release a project, and fans were waiting with bated breath.
When The Foggie Pound 2 hit our ears were blessed with the lovely nostalgia and comfy satisfaction of Foggie’s almost whisper-like voice calmly and methodically working through bar after bar like the artisan that he is. The Foggie Pound 2 picks up right where the first EP left off, giving us smooth and solid lyricism, backed by equally intriguing and vibey instrumentals for Foggieraw to play around on.
VanJess - Homegrown
Ivana and Jessica Nwokike, known professionally as VanJess, have utilized their ‘90s twist on soulful R&B to please the ears of listeners all over. After collaborations with artists such a Washington D.C.’s own Goldlink and the saxophone-wielding artisan Masego, VanJess decided to release their first full-length LP, Slik Canvas, which rose their stardom even more than before, with features such as the U.K.’s Little Simz and Leikeli47.
The funny and uncanny thing about Homegrown is that it sounds exactly as it's titled. With the Nwokike sisters trading melodic hooks and sultry verses that could make any listener’s toes curl and eardrums vibrate pleasantly with the beautiful production behind the soulful sound of the Nigerian duo. Our favorites from the album include DYSFUNCTIONAL featuring the legendary Kaytranada, Come Over, and Come Over Again, because who doesn’t love an encore?
