In this EP, Nia Archives showcases another slice of summery and hypnotic strains of Soul, Drum and Bass, and Jungle.
‘Forbidden Feelingz’ is another crossroads of Jungle, R&B, and Reggae condensed in this 6 track, 16 minute EP. Nia Archives filters through seething, summery drum loops as her sober and sultry delivery curves and turns through rapid bulldozing rhythms, sliced-up samples, and hypnotic vocal melodies that tips on top of Nia’s production work.
Unlike Nia’s previous EP, there is a sense of meditation and personal healing amidst turmoils in her writing, and that self-care allows her to explore and showcase different dynamics in these songs. Either from the samples that add an organic melodic core to the songs, the grasp of softer dynamics on the back half of the EP that keeps the flow steady and consistent, or how it translates to the melodies that felt swift and playful at the same time.
It does not always click as the mixing in the vocals still sounds inconsistent, an issue that is also in her previous EP, and there are certain songs where the melodic buildups could’ve been added more to make them pop more.
Just like what Nia Archives described in one of her interviews, this does feel like an EP that nestles in really well in the summer where the heat and the blistering rhythms of this EP will pummel through those dance raves. While certain issues that pop up on her previous EP are still retained in some spots, the embrace of more sampling, instrumental, and melodic variation keeps it simmer for a while. And hey, a focus on self-meditation in the summer that this provides is something we may need when the season blazes through.
Favorite Tracks: 18 & Over, Luv Like, Part Of Me, Gud Gudbyez
Least Favorite Track: Forbidden Feelingz