Review Summary: Rochelle Jordan - The "P R E S S U R E" of Love - Album Review
This year there have been a fair amount of artists who are actively trying to revive the R&B genre and push it forward, with their own modern eclectic take on it. One of the bright shining lights who has been a part of this alternative R&B movement is Toronto R&B singer and songwriter Rochelle Jordan. After dropping her official debut album ‘ROJO’ in 2011, she lit up the scene, becoming a true staple of music blogs and websites…
After wetting our appetites with the enthused singles ‘Too Long’ and ‘Losing’, we finally see her unleash her eagerly awaited sophomore full-length project ‘Pressure’. Produced entirely by in-house producer and frequent collaborator KLSH and all the songs written by Rochelle, this album is a solid set of edgy, well-crafted, melodic, progressive songs that incorporate her love for 90s R&B and the influences that stem from them.
The album not only represents the pressure Rochelle Jordan is feeling as an independent female R&B artist, but also very confidently reflects the pressure she is putting the industry under. It’s a strong statement that she rides on through each track with her emotive words - you can hear it in her voice. Although ‘ROJO’ was a beautiful album introduction to Rochelle, ‘Pressure’ hones the sound of that and sharpens it to make a dark, flowing sound full of honesty - making this album an impeccable, non-skippable listen.
KLSH’s tight atmospheric production is the perfect tonic to Rochelle’s serene hypnotic vocals; together they give you songs that fluctuate to an otherworldly level due to the beats, harmonies and vocals. The harmonies and fragmented beat elements are so multi-layered that you only hear every nuance after several listens. Neither seems out of place or forced the musical chemistry between them fits in all the right places and feels so natural.
The accurate soundscape that they have created has taken many years to craft, and each aspect of it is different and so ahead of its time. It is musical storytelling for the digital analogue age (nu school heads with an old school mind-set).
Rochelle and KLSH are making it clear that they are here to stay and make their mark in the R&B game. They are streets ahead of the competition right now and they aren’t waiting for anyone to catch up with them.
Pressure isnt perfect dont get me wrong but its damn good.
Standout Songs:
Shotgun
Visions
Losing
Somebody
Touch
Make Me Wanna
SIDE NOTE : I saw her live in Boston recently with Jessie Ware.. She sounds exactly how she sounds on her mixtapes..She compliments Jessie well setting the tone quickly. You can still buy tickets to the two woman show on Jessie's website.
