STOP EVERYTHING: Pleas- Moses Sumney

Moses Sumney is a fascinating individual; on one hand he’s blessed with a clearly extraordinary talent, producing consistently stellar cuts of music that defy categorization. He bumps shoulders with the creme de la creme of the indie world and counts creative luminaries such as Solange (check out their incredible rendition of Young, Gifted and Black here) and Lianne La Havas among his best friends. Yet his Twitter feed is filled with stories and statements that are relatable to your average, run-of-the-mill 25 year old; a lack of funds, a disappointing love life, Ubers that take an eternity. It’s an interesting juxtaposition and one that makes you root for Sumney further- he’s surprisingly grounded for someone who’s scheduled to play the Hollywood Bowl with Erykah Badu and St Vincent this Sunday. Don’t be fooled by his self-effacement though- latest drop Pleas soon reminds you of why he’s destined for soaring success. Layered arpeggios float alongside trembling, tilting vocals, delicate as spun sugar. Sumney possess a instantly identifiable voice that lends gravity to anything he sings and the result is a re-imagining of what modern folk can be. Stunning.

Follow @MosesSumney on Twitter now. 

FRESH NEW KICKS: 21 EP- Rayana Jay

‘This is music for loners and loaners’ proclaims Rayana Jay’s Soundcloud bio. Too bad- the intelligent, offbeat perspective Rayana Jay presents in her music could open up the horizons of the sociable and the borrowers too. 21 is a pretty damn special debut, comprised of four supremely assured and exciting R&B tracks, dealing primarily with desire and the fire it ignites in the pit of your stomach. Fireball opens proceedings with Jay waxing lyrical about the best friend and worst enemy wrapped into one that is alcohol. ‘Are you the type of girl that say “I love you” when I’m drunk?/Are you the type of girl that like to hang around and fuck?’ she questions, before deciding it doesn’t really matter anyway: advising listeners to ‘Blame it on the alcohol’, whatever happens. She boasts a gorgeously husky Lianne La Havas-esque voice, one that’s deployed to impressively sultry effect on all offerings here. Queen of Diamonds features fantastic production, all soul clicks and lush percussion with a few mid-song bars thrown in, courtesy of Dayvid Michael. Elsewhere Insomnia finds Jay trying to excuse late night calls to a paramour on her inability to sleep, while an upbeat electronic rhythm chugs away in the background. EP closer Coffee is pensive as Jay muses on early-morning intimacy amid gentle piano and fluid harmonies. Take a sip of Rayana Jay- even the aftertaste is sweet as hell.

Follow @RayanaJay on Twitter now.