Hailing all the way from Buenos Aires, MAR1ASOL and her new EP Different demolishes conventionalities that cripple R&B artists these days. With this 5-track EP, MAR1ASOL combines hip-hop, Latin influences, and R&B elements to create the freshest offering of the year thus far.
As “city bih” kicks in, the singer immediately reminds me of Corinne Bailey with that raspy honey-silked voice. That I’m sure comes out as naturally as she breathes day to day. The song navigates her feeling of displacement in this place she’s in. She’s out of place, doesn’t belong and rather be in her own zone.
The delivery on this introduction is stimulating considering the whole production of the city noises in the beginning, faint background noises that play as ad-libs throughout the track and her impeccable vocals. It is a beautiful arrangement that yields a lazy-feel type of song, making it a perfect intro song.
In “givin u love” MAR1A shows off in her ability to tap into multiple vocal ranges. From when she sings the hook “I’m givin u love/if it comes back,” the song becomes layered with these melodies that induce a nostalgic feel out of nowhere. I love this hook, and with the way she is singing over the “givin u love” adds this level of goodness to the track.
“Different” starts to pick up speed on “idc” & “full of traumas.” Here is when the fusion of upbeat hip-hop with modern sounds stands out a lot. In these tracks, she taps into more relationship woes that continuously leave her reeling from traumas caused by this love interest.
“Full of traumas” is a favorite of mine because of the deep register she taps into. I can relate to her troubles, her triggers- the connection is felt on this number.
The EP concludes with a complete send-off, that seems to be final words to this person she has been unloading to on previous tracks. She croons on why she should waste time on someone who is giving “nothing back” in a potential love connection.
Throughout the this EP, each track seemed to be a lesson learned from a lot of inner work. And finally on this last one “nothing back”, everything comes full circle in this healing moment. Even though I yearned for more minutes on some tracks.
Listening to it for the second time made sense artistically. This EP was an excellent introduction to a multifaceted musician who is a definite star to watch in the realms of Neo-Soul and R&B.
Listen to MAR1ASOL’s Different EP below and stream it everywhere else here
Words by Ruby Adele
