Based out of Coventry, England, MarcusCV dropped his debut concept EP Cold Season on August 25, 2025. Entirely self-directed and created on his laptop, the project blends 90s R&B nostalgia with futuristic AI-driven vocals, inspired by the likes of Boyz II Men, Jagged Edge, and Donell Jones. Every lush harmony and ad-lib is built from advanced AI tools, but the heart of the storytelling is entirely MarcusCV’s. He describes the EP as a becoming of intimacy, reflection, and loss, tied together with smooth transitions that make it feel like one continuous story rather than just a playlist.
The opener, “Stay Over,” comes with a slow-burning romantic groove. Warm keys and steady, laid-back beats wrap around deep, rich AI-vocals, so soaked in emotion you wouldn’t feel the AI in it. It’s as tender, soulful, and timeless as the late-night phone call you don’t want to end. Then comes “This Moment,” which ups the intimacy. The production leans into cool, catchy beats, while the lyrics linger on passion at its peak, where soul and body blur together. It’s smoother than silk.
But the centerpiece is the title track, “Cold Season.” Here, MarcusCV pulls the rug out from under the romance. Singing in a breathy, reflective tone, the vocals describe love that once was, slipping away, “the season is closing every door.” The arrangement mirrors the mood, with chill instrumentation rendering the bittersweet quiet after passion fades. As the emotional anchor of the project, it shows how warmth can vanish in the coldest moments.
All told, Cold Season is nostalgic and innovative, as a love letter to R&B’s golden years, reframed through futuristic tools. Listen to it on Spotify.
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Review by: Naomi Joan