I stumbled upon the up and coming New York City band, MICHELLE, while doing some browsing on Spotify. And the sheer versatility of this music group is very shocking. After listening to “THE BOTTOM,” I classified them as an indie rock/pop band. Then, I heard MICHELLE’s latest song, “SUNRISE,” and was surprised to hear something completely different.
“SUNRISE” is a gorgeous blend of r&b and hip-hop with an indie flair that keeps it genuine. The production on the track is very crisp and heartwarming, making it perfect for the picnic playlist. The combination of delicate vocals and heavenly synths are like a rising sun that brings warmth to the track and listener. And the dope drum and bass guitar rhythms drive the rest of the song home. I also love the glimmering keyboards that are similar to Chicago style hip-hop production from the likes of Noname, Saba, etc.
Even the lead singer’s vocal style reminds me of Chicago vocalists like Jamila Woods (it doesn’t sound like a ripoff though). The lyrical substance on “SUNRISE” is another highlight of the song. Although the track follows the typical “unrequited love” theme, I like how MICHELLE uses interesting metaphors to tell the story.
“Couldn’t ever be my sunrise / You’re just a setting sun I’d pray, and you would pass me by”
Overall, I am glad that I found out about MICHELLE, and I can’t wait to listen to more of their music. Also, I am super impressed by MICHELLE’s genre-bending capabilities, and I refuse to put a label on them. “SUNRISE” is the perfect summer track to chill to and deserves its spot on the picnic playlist.
You can learn more about MICHELLE here:
About The Curator – Mussie Fitsum
I am a student at the University of Maryland, College Park where I am studying Criminal Justice and Criminology with a minor in International Development and Conflict Management. After college, I want to get my law degree and practice criminal law. I am also a big music lover that listens to r&b, hip-hop, rock, reggae, and pop. But, I am also trying to expand my taste in music as much as I can to appreciate the different amount of genres out there. I also started a music blog in August 2018; so if you like reading interesting takes on music and concert opinions, then give it a glance.
Music Blog: https://tuneexpressions.com/