Out NOW: Premiered on BET – Toronto R&B/Neo-Soul Vocalist, Aphrose, Links Past and Present With Upcoming Sophomore Album “Roses”
Standing out as a top R&B/Neo-Soul vocalist, Aphrose (Joanna Mohammed), occupies a rare position as one of Canada’s greatest vocal talents. A dedicated student of the diamond age of Soul music, Aphrose infuses her unique blend of classic and modern Soul/R&B with a historically informed touch. Her glistening melodies and rhythms offer the nearly tangible authenticity of analog recordings, and her exceptional and distinct vocal agility routinely draws comparisons to legendary artists including Chaka Khan and Jill Scott, known for their unmistakable range and emotive delivery. Effortlessly oscillating between low and sky-high vocal registers using her stunning three octave range, Aphrose offers listeners both a glimpse into her life and a mirror to their own, sharing her personal journey through love, loss, family, and the joys and challenges of parenthood. Creating music that serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of R&B/Soul, Aphrose blends timeless sonic elegance with contemporary lyrical relevance.
“Her voice. She’s just a vocal beast” – CBC Music
The globally recognized artist received her first feature on Black Entertainment Television (BET) in the Fall of 2023, with the video premiere of “Roses” on BETSoul. Her first single of 2023, “Good Love“, was a featured selection in the CBC Top 100 Searchlight Competition, and later her song “Roses” was hand-picked as one of CBC Music’s weekly “Songs You Need To Hear”. “Good Love“, and follow up single, “YaYa”, both appeared across European radio, with prominent features on BBC, Italy’s Radio Capital, and Spain’s RTVE. They also received extensive airplay throughout the United States, and have been featured across the CBC Radio network, SiriusXM and non-commercial Canadian radio. Aphrose has sung backup for Grammy, Soul Train, and JUNO Award winning artist Daniel Caesar, JUNO Award winner Jesse Reyez, and JUNO Nominee Charlotte Day Wilson. After hearing her music on CBC Radio, Canadian icon Chantal Kreviazuk reached out to invite Aphrose to open for her Moon vs. Sun tour with husband and Our Lady Peace frontman, Raine Maida. Following the release of her debut album, “Element“, Aphrose was featured on CBC Music’s First Play, in Earmilk, and Exclaim!, and voiced the NBA Finals commercial for Rogers Sportsnet during the 2019 championship games. She was also featured in CBC’s 2019 Sounds of the Season.
Paying homage to the icons of Soul and R&B while drawing inspiration from the genre’s modern iterations, and lyrically inspired by the range of emotions that come with love, loss, and new life, Aphrose innately undertakes the role of serving as both a sonic and familial link between the past and future. On “Roses“, an album inspired by the strength and unconditional love from her late grandmother, Rose, the artist illustrates her relatable and personal journey of self-discovery through new motherhood, relationships, and ancestral strength, uniting the energy of the generations before her with her aspirations for herself and her young daughter. With unrivalled versatility, Aphrose constructs a lush and vibrant garden of sound and experience, with the roots of her history firmly planted beneath her. Collaborating with longtime production partners, SafeSpaceship Music (Chino De Villa, Scott McCannell, and Ben MacDonald) and guitarist Heather Crawford (Jesse Reyez), the album features some of Canada’s leading vocalists, with background vocals provided by Claire Davis, Kyla Charter (Aysanabee, Alessia Cara), Nevon Sinclair (Daniel Caesar, LOONY), Marla Walters and Lydia Persaud.
Enveloping and colourful, the rhythmic lead track, “Soft Nuclear” features a sparkling groove that offers a nod to the early 2000’s era of R&B. The driving beat of the drum sits below a glittering synth melody and soulful harmonies, while Aphrose showcases her impressive vocal control with her petal-soft performance about being happily in love. The song’s prismatic sound draws inspiration from R&B supergroup Lucy Pearl, with a crystalline synth pattern that adds an ethereal touch.
The 12 track album “Roses” opens with a stunning, ethereal R&B ballad of the same name, filled with sky-high, five-part harmonies and heartfelt lyrics that honour the artist’s late grandmother Rose. Draped in emotive vocals, and a timeless, water-like, intimate melody, Aphrose flawlessly personifies her love, appreciation, memories, and grief for the woman who continues to be a source of inspiration for the artist. Embraced by the global leaders in the R&B and Soul genres, “Roses” was prominently featured on BETSoul, while also receiving national recognition across Canada. “YaYa“, a dazzling Neo-Soul track, pays homage to the 70’s Roller-Soul era with sprinkles of impeccable 90’s House harmonies. Personifying the feeling of being in love, the feel-good, uptempo song features an inescapable rhythm, exuberant harmonies, and celebratory lyrics that paint a picture of joyful infatuation. Closing with “ZAG“, the album culminates with a song inspired by Aphrose’s young daughter, which begins with an audio recording of her in-utero heartbeat. Set atop of a softly delicate, lullaby-like melody, the artist expresses both her fears and hopes for her daughter as she journeys through the rollercoaster of motherhood.
Pulling from her well-studied encyclopedia of sound, Aphrose writes her own chapter in the textbook of R&B and Neo-Soul with “Roses”, a vibrant musical garden that radiates with musical and personal history. Delivering both a sonic revival and progression of a genre and its’ iterations, the artist uses the seeds of her familial and musical ancestry to fill the long standing void in Canadian vocal mastery, blooming into her space as one of the few soaring vocalists the country has seen in over a decade. With truly remarkable talent, stunning grooves, and lyrical honesty, Aphrose solidifies her place as an innovative leader in the R&B and Neo-Soul genres.
“Roses” will be available everywhere on October 12 2023
