rE-LISTEN: Jenevive - ‘Division’
I’m often surprised by the lack of love some truly astounding artists get. Whilst Floridian R&B maestro Jenevieve has her audience, she exhibits such talent and vision it really is amazing that she hasn’t become a household name by this point
Between the 2020 hit ‘Baby Powder’, which skilfully samples city pop classic ‘Last Summer Whisper’ by Anri, the release of ‘Division’ and her tour supporting Giveon across North America, she has more than earned her place as a talent to watch. ‘Division’ has more to offer in incredible vocals, infectious grooves and stunning prduction (courtesy of longtime collaborator Elijah Benzi) than many more popular R&B heavyweights right now. And whilst the project is 3 years old now, it still sounds fresh and intriguing.
The album opens with chill neo-soul aperitif ‘Medallion’, which was our first experience of Jenevieve when she released it has her first single in February 2020. Back to back we get the heartbroken ‘Baby Powder’, with it’s snaky bass and funk guitar, and the earworm jam ‘Resumé’ . Whilst we have heard many of these tracks as singles previously, they are more than welcome, sandwiched alongside some delightful deeper cuts, such as the bouncy electric piano and trap hi hats of ‘Nxwhere’.
‘Blameless’ is an absolute masterclass in modern R&B production, with a chopped electric piano sample, energetic 808 snares and dreamy vocals lush with reverb. Jenevieve takes us on a brief tour of the 80s, channeling her inner Whitney Houston with title track ‘Division’, and on ‘No Sympathy’’s upbeat bass and sweet backing harmonies. Album closer ‘Crybaby’ is an atmospheric ballad, laced with slow echoing guitar and drums ala Purple Rain, topped off with a towering vocal performance and twinkling synthesisers.
Whilst Jenevieve has teased us with the subsequent release of her ‘Rendezvous’ EP in 2022, which showcased a more focussed edge to the production and songwriting, we cannot wait for another full-length release from an artist with so much promise.