Listen: SLK – “Be”

2013 will no doubt go down as a year bounteous in alt-R&B from all across the world, particularly dominated by women, with BANKS, FKA Twigs, Kelela, and Rosie Lowe all having stellar years. The first major breakthrough alt-R&B star of 2014 came in the form of SLK, and her debut single “Ride”. Her second single, “Be”, shows it definitely wasn’t just a one-off.

Like the aforementioned stars of 2013, SLK’s tracks have that dark, brooding pop sheen coupled with a sultry chanteuse that just works. Yet, whereas the likes of BANKS prefer to go for more hushed, delicate vocals, SLK belts it out with the best of them. “Be” has the silky smooth, icy synths leading the charge with a malevolently ever-present bubbling bassline ready to kick things up a notch in the chorus that most of the alt-R&B hits have.

But it’s SLK’s vocals that really make “Be” stand out. It can take the shape of that sultry coo but it can also transform into a soulful behemoth when it needs to. Part soulful Sampha crooning, part Jessie Ware belter, SLK’s distinctive vocals really puts her, and “Be”, in amongst those who made a big impact last year.

With her debut EP due to be released shortly, it’s going to be another vintage year for alt-R&B.