London-based 22-year-old singer-songwriter and producer Nina Chiodinโs debut EP, IVY, unfolds like a neo-soul and hip-hop tapestry woven with threads of infectious beats.
The EP begins with โTake Me Back,โ a track that surprises and captivates from the first note. Starting with soulful piano tunes, the song takes an unexpected turn with crashing drums, setting the stage for Ninaโs contemplative and diaristic vocals. The dynamic shift to rapping verses adds a contemporary and balancing vantage point to the song. And so there happens to be a perfect balance between enchanting piano melodies and catchy grounding beats.
โThe Bigger Manโ emerges as an anthem of infectious energy, effortlessly seeping into the listenerโs soul. With minimal effort, Nina crafts a catchy and groovy landscape where enchanting tunes, horns, and rhythmic singing collide. The song radiates a magnetic quality, making it impossible not to groove along.
Closing IVY is โSugar Rush,โ a song that starts with a suspenseful surge and then drops into a captivating groove accentuated by smacking beats. Ninaโs relaxing vocals create a soothing atmosphere. However, the chorus takes an intriguing turn, featuring high and ethereal surges of her voice singing โSugar Rushโ with soulful sultriness. Then there are the horns enhancing the romanticism and groove.
If you are wondering about her influences, then think of Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday as the originally Italian artistโs earliest influences. But what really forms her sound now would be Erykah Badu and DโAngelo and their neo-soul/hip-hop music.
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Review By: Naomi Joan