It’s been a very long time.
However, there’s always that one song that sticks with you and doesn’t leave your head. For me and pretty much most R&B fans it has to be Kehlani – Folded. I remember when I first started this blog it was due to me going through a very sad and depressing time, ironically a lot of Kehlani songs were on rotation. It feels almost full circle that she is the reason I’m back to writing again.
We’ve all been blessed with this song this summer/year but I genuinely believe if you had to explain R&B to someone not familiar , this would be a perfect contender. The content of the song of course isn’t a typical breakup/heartbreak song. If you were to compare it to stages of grief, you could argue this is the acceptance stage. It feels like she’s done with the begging, crying, screaming , hoping and pain and is now at the other end realising what she deserves. As always it’s a feeling I’m sure many can resonate or have resonated with at one point in their life.
For me, there’s something emotional about this song. Listening to it, I can really hear the harmonies, the beat, the instruments working in harmony together. It’s an addictive song which is ironic considering the message implying this is the end. Songs like this remind me why R&B is one of the best genres. It can evoke feelings in you that you don’t even realise you have. This is how kids can sing songs like Fantasia’s “When I see you” at the top of their lungs and adopt the pain she tries to evoke through her lyrics. Good music reels you in to whatever zone the song is in. Great music resonates with you and makes you think about all the emotions you have now opened as a result. This song does all of those things.
By far, this is the best R&B song released this year. I hope this is the just the beginning of a new era of R&B. I also recommend listening to the acapella version of this song. Sensational!
Real music is back!!