Disc review: Sailorr – « From Florida’s Finest »
« Pookie’s Requiem » became the door opener for Sailorr in November 2024, when it quickly went viral. The song, where she hates the ex that steals her memes to impress her new girl – a pale copy of herself – was fun, cheeky and at the same time contained a dose of vulnerability that was enough to create immediate recognition. The parallels to SZA were obvious, in the voice and the winding melodies. But the 26-year-old newcomer from Florida, whose real name is Kayla Le, undoubtedly has its own. Not least, it is visible in her aesthetics, where pink bows meet a black dental prosthesis – an unexpected contrast that gives her a deliberately ugly aura. The prosthesis is a homage to her Vietnamese roots. In Southeast Asia, black -colored teeth are a beauty tradition that signals status.
After a viral hit, the record companies usually want to gas with a full -length, which then rarely holds the measure. An example is 4batz, an artist on the same label as Sailorr, who last year became tokhajpad after a couple of breakthroughs – one where Drake was quick to jump on as a guest – but when the debut album arrived it felt like a sunny rush.
Even at Sailorr’s debut, « From Florida’s finest », the sound choice occasionally becomes simple and sketchy, as in the two minutes short « Done Shaving 4 U ». But after washing away some gravel, the record is actually mostly gold.
The production is in 90s influenced and without frills. But the stripped -down does not make the music feel less in the body – on the contrary. Sailor’s rhythmic timing in the song attracts the genre’s typical moves: finger nap, hip, hair turn.
R’N’B stories about lying boy and girlfriends are there plenty of but « w1ll u l13? » could possibly be the best in a long time. In the adorable chorus, Sailorr’s voice becomes like honey. That the soundscape sounds like it has had Destiny’s Child’s « Cater 2 U » as a reference is not wrong either.
The self-confidence of the 26-year-old also impresses. Over a soft blow in « Sincerity » she sings dull and cocky: « Who are you to dim on my shine? » – And suddenly you are struck by the fact that the disc does not have a single guest artist. Sailors stand firmly on its own legs in its own ship. This is r’n’b perfect to sail into the summer with.
Best track: « W1ll U L13? », « Cut Up »
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