Let’s start in medias res when it comes to this review. I’ve just finished listening to three songs I was listening to prior to checking out the new falling again from Georgia-based RNB and hip-hop auteur SimplyRich, those two songs being Witchy by Kaytranada and a cover of Tamia’s So Into You on triple j.
It’s funny how before I got to this EP I was already in an RNB mood, and SimplyRich scratches that itch fairly easily, with a delivery that to me, calls back to 2000s Usher or a Ne-Yo at its best, alongside touches of a Miguel or maybe a Frank Ocean on certain points as well as another influence that I will get back to. On tracks like Around and New Feelings (and old ones at the same time), that blend of influence comes through most potently and the performances on display is an undeniable vibe for sure. The former song being my favourite selling me with the trumpet embellishments on the back half makes me an easy mark and the latter has this oddball serenading-you-in-the-middle-of-the-road-with-my-friend-playing-the-guitar-for-us-to-tango-in vibes.
In learning more about SimplyRich and his quote-unquote “The King Era” wherein he finds himself immersed in the sounds of California and the closing track Iris’ Eyes feeling like a great nod to that as it feels less like seeing the world through a girl’s eyes and more like seeing a girl’s eyes and encapsulating the vibe of seeing a world anew; a great juxtaposition and a well-developed vibe to boot.
I do however have quite a few of criticisms for the project; the double-edged sword of catching me at the right time craving for great RNB and hip-hop which makes me more agreeable to this sound whilst being able to tell what parts could be better refined.
It becomes a bit hard to listen to this EP and feel like a significant piece of the puzzle in falling again isn’t missing. First off, I’m admittedly grumpy about a lack of basslines in the project which feels like a rather grand misstep as even simple 808 bass thuds would’ve been enough for me. There’s also the matter of some rather quirky (but not in a good way) approach to song sequencing as I’m admittedly not fond of the opener Fight / Fly which carries a theater-kid-doing-a-cover-of-a-Hamilton-song energy which may be a vibe but certainly sets this EP on a lower note than it needs to. There’s also a bit of a tendency within this project to sound a bit too overly polished up to the point that SimplyRich doesn’t have much of an edge or experimental flair beyond the sequencing, another element that could’ve been fixed.
And lastly, there’s the big Childish Gambino influence that while is something SimplyRich avoids at points, does become unavoidable especially since while SimplyRich can be a uniquely charismatic presence, it doesn’t do good enough of a job yet to go further beyond the influences to be able to capture that magic that great RNB can deliver.
Despite my criticisms however, I did love this EP and thanks to this, I do find myself falling again. Head over heels, no, but definitely is a vibe I’d recommend a listen or two.
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About the Author
A tenured media critic known working as a ghost writer, freelance critic for publications in the US and former lead writer of Atop The Treehouse. Reviews music, film and TV shows for media aggregators.
