Hypnos / Ravyn Lenae / May 20, 2022
- Joshua Yoo
- Jul 25, 2022
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 22, 2022
For a debut album, Ravyn Lenae already possesses an immense amount of potential. ‘Hypnos’ has already been branded as the new wave of futuristic R&B (which is not untrue), but it seems more fitting to speak of the versatility and variety of textures that Lenae navigates rather effortlessly, especially a full deck of some of the genre’s most classic sounds.
Instrumentally the album is a chameleon, jumping from plucked acoustic grooves to wonky, oscillating synthesized keys, but all operating under a hazy, psychedelic atmosphere that invokes the title of the album fittingly.
Lenae’s vocal ability is likely a selling point for many, as the light, airy and floating nature of her voice (reminiscent of the prominent 90s female R&B vocalists that she’s a student of) glides on so many of the standout tracks. It may not always leave an impression, but fit the right instrumental and it goes over beautifully.
And in a larger sense, ‘Hypnos’ generates more excitement for her future more than anything else. She clearly is equipped with more than enough musical and stylistic sensibilities to make much of her debut material soar, but a narrower and more realized focus could result in something truly special for the R&B world. This is simply an amazing teaser to any one of the artistic identities she could choose to pursue going forward.
Highlight(s): Where I’m From, Satellites, Lullabye, Skin Tight, Venom, Higher
Lowlight(s): Xtasy, Deep In The World, Like You Do
SCORE: 7/10
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