Every time Ariel J. releases a project, it feels like a soul cleanser. Although you can tell through her music that she has a naturally questioning spirit, her songs still always have a comforting, “everything’s going to be okay” vibe, even if it does come laced with rhetorical questions. Ariel J.’s unique approach to combining a spiritual element with R&B/Soul is something very special. Other artists do it as well, but none quite like her.

Vocally, her voice is beautiful and never strained... it’s always in the right place at the right time. At times, her voice is so soft and gentle, it’s almost like she’s whispering you to sleep. Don’t get it confused, though — you’re never bored with any Ariel J. project. Her sound might be chill, but her lyricism is the furthest thing from it. She often tackles subjects that aren’t often discussed in the R&B/Soul space, like religion and how it relates to being queer (she grew up in the Bible Belt). She’s also not afraid to throw some spoken word into her projects, whether performed by herself (“Tell Me It Gets Better” on her 2022 project “Play To Win”) or by others (Amanda Furdge on “As The Wrld Burns”), which showcases another level of her artistry and gives her a more authentic feel than other artists.

Coming off of her last project, it’s dope to see her growth not just sonically but also in terms of subject matter. Witnessing her rise in real time and how it’s being reflected in the music is a surreal feeling. It also comes with a sense of immense pride. Keep climbing, Ariel J. We’ll always be rooting for you.