RAYEL is bringing soul back with her new single “Where Are You?”. The Boston based singer/ rapper has been very active on the music scene but hasn’t released new content on her SoundCloud since last year. If you’re new to RAYEL, “Where Are You?” is the perfect introduction to her musical style and vocal talent.
“Where Are You?” could easily be a track from the Neo-Soul golden years when artists like Erykah Badu and Jill Scott were taking over the industry. The mind behind the dope beat is Tom Misch, a London based producer, who has a wealth of excellently crafted beats under his belt (check out his incredible aural inventory on his SoundCloud). He chopped up some Roy Hargrove, a legendary jazz trumpeter, and flipped it into a deliciously smooth, hip hop beat.
RAYEL’s vocals fit Misch’s production perfectly and while the beat wasn’t made for her, she certainly makes it her own. She has one of the soul touching, deep seated voices that resonates in your eardrums long after she’s stopped singing, a little reminiscent of vocal greats like Mavis Staples and Anita Baker. “Where Are You?” is for all of us out there who’ve found ourselves in love though the person we’re in love with doesn’t exactly have time for us or has gone M.I.A. RAYEL wants to remind us with “Where Are You” that while the situation isn’t ideal, life goes on and it gets better. Towards the end of the track, she shows off her affinity for rapping and drops a few bars to round out the song.
RAYEL is currently in the U.K and has yet to release any upcoming performance dates, though she will be returning to the States in April. You can follow her via her Facebook to stay on top of any new releases and tour dates. Check out “Where Are You?” below to hear why RAYEL should definitely be on your musical radar this Spring.