The Predatory Wasp
Ericka De Casier mines 00s r&b to incredibly convincing effect on her latest, entirely self-produced album Lifetime, and it might very well be her best yet. The title track is the final on the LP, with drums emerging from a billowing cloud of synths before shimmering keys and her yearning vocal take centre stage. For fans of Sade, Janet Jackson and being very romantic.
duendita’s cutie lands as one of the standout tracks from their new album a strong desire to survive, out via MIKE’s 10k label. It’s a low-slung, slightly off-kilter soul tune that leans into brittle drums, tangled instrumentation and a vocal that pulls everything into place without trying too hard.
https://duendita.bandcamp.com/album/a-strong-desire-to-survive
Saya Gray’s debut album SAYA is out now. It’s a loose, low-key collection that floats between folk, R&B and experimental pop – mostly quiet, often heavy. Written after a breakup and a solo trip through Japan, the record feels personal without over-explaining. Sketchy guitar loops, voice notes, half-sung vocals – it’s all pretty stripped-back and all the better for it with PUDDLE ( OF ME ) a clear standout.
serpentwithfeet spends a lot of time in bed, and would like to tell you about it. His new GRIP SEQUEL release features six new compositions alongside alternative versions of three tracks from last year’s GRIP: a new version of ‘Lucky Me’ with strings, and remixes of ‘Spades’, featuring Ogi and Destin Conrad, and a ‘Damn Gloves’ remix by Baile Funk featuring Ty Dolla $ign, TH41 & Azzy. “I created GRIP SEQUEL because I had more to say [about sex]*” says serpent “I had more [sexy]* questions about intimacy [and sex]* and this was a fun [and sexy]* way to explore.
*my [sexy] additions
I’m back! Big love to everyone who engaged with TPW in 2024 – we had more of you than ever before, so it’s nice to know that I’m not just shouting into the void everyday.
Strutting into the new year with the first post of 2025, here’s the first single from Celeste’s second album which is due out in April. I still listen to her 2019 EP Lately a lot, so will definitely be checking the new release out when it lands.
https://www.roughtrade.com/en-gb/product/celeste/everyday-rsd-2024
Korg M1-lead romantic r&b from Australian, Canada-based Jack J who’s one half of Pender Street Steppers and member of the Mood Hut collective.
I was recently introduced to Qendresa’s brilliantly hazy 2020 album Midnight Request Line which I would highly recommend to any fans of Sade, System Olympia, and lo-fi r&B in general. Her latest single Sweet Lies, co-written, produced and mixed by Jkarri, came out last month and is well worth your time.
Mk.gee’s LP Two Star & The Dream Police is the Take Care of 2024, and his latest single Lonely Flight continues his sadboy reflections in impeccable fashion.
Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn first collaborated on 2022’s fantastic Pigments and recently announced a new album, Quiet in a World Full of Noise, which is coming out in October. Breathe Out is the lead single and continues to blend Richard’s r&b instincts with Zahn’s expansive, atmospheric arrangements.
https://dawnrichard.bandcamp.com/album/quiet-in-a-world-full-of-noise
The Predatory Wasp 