Joël Lobban’s “Brandy” Is an Intoxicating Alternate R&B Universe

Ajax, Ontario’s Joël Lobban often strays so far from R&B that it’s somewhat shocking to hear him attempt something relatively traditional for the genre. Luckily, he’s as exemplary playing it straight as he is when he’s out-of-bounds, as his new song “Brandy – Interlude” demonstrates.

Despite the 90s R&B fetishism that’s rampant in many pop music spheres, this song is named for the drink, not the singer, though it could be both. Jordon Manswell’s low-key beat is a wonder, centred around a fluttering bell-synth melody and fuzzy sub-bass. The chord progression wanders into suddenly uplifting territory to match Lobban’s own vocal ascensions, and a minor-key coda features Lobban’s ecstatic falsetto. “Brandy” is Toronto R&B at its most creative, so listen to it below.