Never one to limit himself to one sound, Chicago vocalist and producer Mari continues to explore new styles and challenge himself on the Neo-Soul-channelling "Atlas." The singer wastes no time in delivering falsetto wails that would make D'Angelo proud, melodies that recall a young Erykah Badu, and verses that find a fluid place between rap and funk somewhere along the lines of Andre 3000 and Anderson .Paak. Of course, the tribute is all intentional, but the shimmering R&B track is much more than the sum of its parts, proving Mari as both a tasteful and versatile songwriter. “For ‘Atlas’ I was feeling very in tune with my soul and it felt natural for me to channel my inner Badu, D’Angelo, and 3 Stacks," he says in a press release. "From the production to the vocal arrangement. This record is about movement, a sensual groove, and I really want people to explore that layer whether it’s within self or with a significant other."
The song comes in advance of Mari's forthcoming full-length album. In January, he shared the collaborative project Mari Lit with NYC producer Jimmy Lit. He recently scored a placement on Comedy Central's "Broad City" with his track "On Fleek." Watch his mini-documentary, "Make It Pop W/ Mari," below.
Quotable Lyrics:
Coast to coast under the ocean
Tucked down under the mountain
From New York to California
Hot like it's Arizona
Feels like it's New Orleans
