Baby Rose & BADBADNOTGOOD – Slow Burn

BR&BBNG_dronf_SftDS It is still summer, so why not make some hay while the sun shines Baby Rose and Badbadnotgood must have thought.

It has been ages since we thought of Badbadnotgood, the Canadian ensemble famous for their rich jazz, hip-hop, and R&B instrumental soundscapes. Indeed, we picked them up a decade ago, but after that, we simply floated in other directions. The ensemble has worked with various artists, but Slow Burn marks their first collaboration with Baby Rose, a relatively new face in the music scene. Baby Rose is known for her distinctive, soulful voice that carries an old-school vibe, and created a small hype around her persona when she released Through and Through less than a year ago. Slow Burn is the result of Baby Rose and Badbadnotgood coming together for what was initially just a test to see if there was a creative fit. The pieces fell into place instantly, and this directly led to a full EP that beautifully showcases their combined talents.

The EP kicks off with On My Mind, a soulful ballad that immediately shows the strong connection between Baby Rose and the ensemble. Her deep, smoky voice is perfectly matched with Badbadnotgood’ s smooth, vintage-sounding music. The heavy drums and bold organ give this song the feel of a modern take on classic upbeat soul music. On My Mind is followed by the title track, which is slower and more reflective, capturing the feeling of a relationship that is slowly unravelling. Rose’s powerful voice hauntingly floats over the music, expressing deep emotion without being overly dramatic.

The difference between the two opening songs and the others that follow can be explained by Rose finding inspiration in her commutes between her home bases—one in the noisy city of Washington DC, and the other in the North Carolina countryside. During these lengthy travels, dreaminess is never far away, and this feel forms the backbone of this EP in various outings. There is tenderness on Caroline, a duet with fellow singer Mereba, or melancholy on Weakness, which is about the pain of falling out of love. It’s Alright, on the other hand, has a more upbeat, catchy groove. Together with Badbadnotgood, she’s able to create a natural flow between different emotions. On the concluding track One Last Dance, this flow reaches a high as it transitions from love song to tribute to lullaby, while bassist Chester Hansen infuses a dreamlike, cautious, yet affectionate undertone.

Slow Burn is a beautifully crafted project that exudes a superb intimate feel, cloaked in shadows and a touch of mystery. The ensemble’s smooth, jazz-influenced production creates the perfect backdrop for Baby Rose’s rich, soulful voice. Could this be the beginning of something even more beautiful in the near future? Well, let the final words on that come from Rose herself: “It’s one thing carrying the weight of the emotion I’m going to bring as a vocalist and lyricist, but now I feel like I’m the head on a body with all these players and artists and other limbs. I’m in love with that process. When you have the right energy and the right synergy,” she says, “all that’s left is to trust yourself.”