A Future Soul Introduction from Kenna

Now that we’ve just about finished getting excited about the new divergences, tangents and confluences that resulted in the new styles and genres of 2013, it’s time to start coining some new ones. Future soul might not mean much to us now, but it sounds pretty exciting. And who better to give us a personal introduction than Grammy nominee Kenna.

“Pink Matter” – Frank Ocean

I think this song was overshadowed by the many other records that Frank has put out. I think it resonated with me because it reminded me lyrically of the things in my head that I may or may not ever want people to find out. Some insane things go through it. Outside of that, like I told Frank, he could sing the phone book and we would listen.

“I’m Into You” – Chet Faker

This dude has great tone. Not sure if this is “future soul” but it is soulful to me. I think we have a divergence in sound vs. genre. This is the type of record that bends the rules and this is the type of artist that leaves you wondering where his soul will lead us.

“Treat Me Like Fire” – Lion Babe

Her name is Lion Babe. What man isn’t going to want to know what that sounds like. After you hear her though, you can feel her influences in the delivery of her melody, but the song is original. The video is raw and rad. Her name is Lion Babe, for the love of God.

“Cold Nites” – How to Dress Well

A friend put me on to this. I think it just has a great deal of raw energy in it. The lyrics are bent towards the ethereal and allows you to morph it into your own life. The strength in it is its illusive quality – it’s just mesmerizing.

“Love Is Still Alive” – Kenna

I’m biased on this one. Its one of my favorite songs because it is delimited. This song speaks of the dimensions in between communication and life. It challenges the sacred geometry of coming back from a death in love to find a resurrection.

“Only When I Walk Away” – Justin Timberlake

This song is an evolution in Justin’s melodic journey. He challenged himself to meld worlds and bring angst to a beat with the R&B overtones. I don’t think production of this can get any better. The show version kills.

Appetite suitably piqued? Check out Kenna’s new video for “Relations”, featuring Childish Gambino, here.