Rating: NNN
Minimal R&B seems to have replaced dancehall as the sound of Toronto. It suits this city’s restless, young creatives: a slick, sensual, scaled-back hybrid of the heavy-handed synths and hi-hat-addled rap flooding pop radio.
From the fold emerges local singer Rochelle Jordan. P R E S S U R E is her second free LP (after last year’s ROJO), written by Jordan and producer KLSH. Despite fitting neatly within the trend, Jordan isn’t trying to be like her male contemporaries. She uses a hot aesthetic – filtered drums, wubby bass – to pursue her own style of brighter, decidedly unsleazy R&B.
On the title track, the demure, controlled cadence of Aaliyah is the likelier comparison. (Plus, KLSH often tips to Timbaland in his production.) The perky synths on Touch bring out some Kelis, and throughout, Jordan’s tone turns syrupy and warm like Amel Larrieux.
Though she still needs to establish a firmer individual identity, P R E S S U R E indicates that Jordan’s on the brink of wider success.
Top track: Losing
