We Speak Music
Maur Kii Drops New EP “MAURNB: THE YEAR WAS”
View Park Records’ Maur Kii has had a busy 2024. He kicked off the year with an album, BIRTHDAY PACK: WELCOME TO 7. The music sensation is now back to close out the year with a new EP, MAURNB: THE YEAR WAS. The six-track EP is R&B-focused, borrowing from various eras and subgenres of R&B. Maur Kii cleverly and strategically arranged the songs on the EP to tell a story and its parts. The overall story is based off an interaction between Maur Kii and a woman.
The EP opens with the track, “STREETS.” The song is a chill, sleek record that has a modern R&B sound. The song depicts the initial interaction between Maur Kii and the women that is the subject of the EP’s story. Track two, “4 THE WEEKEND,” continues with the vibe of the previous record, but incorporates a more Hip-Hop/Rap sound. The track features renowned music artist Wontel. The song discusses Maur Kii courting the female love interest and his admiration for how hard-working the woman is. The next song, “NAKED,” has a unique arrangement and an eclectic beat yet still brandishes Maur Kii’s captivating R&B sound. The record dives into the internal conflict that the woman is feeling towards her new love interest, Maur Kii, and her current significant other. The end of the record marks the end of her current relationship.
The EP moves onto “DEEPER.” “DEEPER” goes deep into the lovemaking. It is a sensual, sultry record that touches upon the love/lust. The song features rising star Afterdrk (and appropriately so, given the topic of the song and the artist’s name). “OPTIONS,” the penultimate song, is up next. “OPTIONS” is a song that served as a lead single for the EP; however, Maur Kii altered the EP version of the song a bit. “OPTIONS,” on the EP, has an intro. The track has a swaggy vibe yet is a vulnerable piece. The song features budding music artist Randy White. The song is about how Maur Kii has options and him being honest to the woman, letting her know what she’s getting into. The track provides an intricate and intimate discussion about indecision, communication, and other topics that deal with love and relationships. The EP ends with the story’s end. “WHO CRIES IN A MAYBACH?” is a wavy record with dark tones. The romance and honeymoon phase seem to have faded. The song tries to reckon how the fun and extravagance weren’t enough to make the woman happy and the relationship last.
MAURNB: THE YEAR WAS is a terrific body of work from top to bottom – from the storytelling to the vocals to the production. The EP is perfect for all listeners, but especially great for fans of PARTYNEXTDOOR, Travis Scott, and Fridayy. MAURNB: THE YEAR WAS demonstrates why the year was Maur Kii’s.
Follow Maur Kii on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiciskii.
This review was made possible by SubmitHub.
London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Waz-u returns with his second album, Preludes: Dusk Psalms, set for release on 16 May 2025 via independent label Biodiversity. The 15-track record further refines the artistic depth of his debut, blending electronic textures and classical compositional techniques in an intricate, immersive listening experience.
Ahead of the album release, Waz-u is dropping an exclusive vocal version of ‘Vermillion: G Major’ from the album, accompanied by its original instrumental version. ‘Vermillion’ with Lilyg will be released on 18 April 2025, evoking intimate indie-folk and pop and follows the release of a vocal version of ‘Lament’ with Tom Norrington. ‘The singles are a way to give a voice to the atmosphere of the record and to lyrically encapsulate some of the themes explored,’ explains Waz-u. ‘Lily and Tom are good friends of mine and have both been listening to early iterations of these preludes – it felt right to involve them directly on this record.’
‘Preludes: Dusk Psalms’ marks a new branch of Waz-u’s emerging sound, guided by the duality of tradition and innovation. Combining his musical roots in early ‘90s dub techno and classical music, the album weaves carefully layered synthesizers and electronics to evoke the ambience of sacred music — from the gentle timbres of a choir or an organ to the quiet, open, and reverberating spaces of a church. Also featured throughout the album is experimental musician G9 LUV, who creates textures and drones by bowing his bass guitar, resulting in cello-like sounds. The release follows Waz-u’s 2024 debut LP, Prayer For Dawn, which merged dub, techno, and electronica in an exploration of the ritualistic traditions associated with both organized religion and dance.
Bringing the album’s themes to life, Waz-u will celebrate the release of Preludes: Dusk Psalms with a special performance at Our Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, London on 14 May 2025. Set against the church’s resonant acoustics, the event will feature live performance arrangements, including a choir, with further details to be announced soon.
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