In the past couple of years, “alternative R&B” (and all manner of off shoots of that designation) have been used to describe a variety of music that often incorporates elements of hip-hop, electronic music, and neo-soul. While it’s true that much of this music has little to do with its radio-ready cousin–a fact ripe for change, if Beyonce’s surprise album and the continued success of Miguel and Frank Ocean are any indicators–it also seems that much thrown under the umbrella doesn’t necessarily have that much to do with traditional R&B or soul to begin with, further blurring already elusive lines.
While singer Jack Garratt’s Soundcloud tags would leave you believing his music is at some crossroads of alternative sounds (R&B, soul, hip-hop, and pop, to be precise), single “I Couldn’t Want You Anyway” feels of a piece with the work of artists like Fyfe (or perhaps, distantly, Peter Gabriel): Brushed by the fingerprints of other genres without ever settling in any one. R&B certainly factors into the Garatt’s equation (particularly around the 3 minute mark), but classification feels slippery.
All that’s certain: It’s a beautiful piece of music.
Perhaps the answer for a weary writer’s brain is simply to enjoy the music in itself and avoid attempts to find and define the seams. Listen to “I Couldn’t Want You Anyway” below.
