Philadelphia-based R&B songstress Kenya Vaun unveils her new The Honeymoon Phase EP out now via 300 Entertainment. Opening up the world of this body of work, she also presents the cinematic Philly based music video for the single “Yesterday.”
Over the course of 13 tracks, Kenya shows the cycles of both life and love. Her soul felt vocals and uncontainable honesty, she wades through the good, the bad, and the unexpected. “Yesterday” revolves around an uplifting piano melody and thick bass groove. Her vocals echo with raw emotion as she gets introspective, “Feels like it was only yesterday.” The visual takes you through notable landmarks through her hometown Philadelphia and all that embodies and inspires this body of work.
Among other highlights, she leans into her high register on “End of the Day.” It climaxes on an anthemic hook as she reminds, “At the end of the day, I won’t force you to stay.” The legendary Musiq Soulchild pulls up on a new Remix of her fan favorite “Summer.” He and Kenya lock into a fascinating harmony as they break down the generational divide for R&B, uniting eras and styles in the process. Then, there’s “One Of Them Days.” Over an off-kilter drum pattern, she laments an undeserving ex. In a moment of reluctant acceptance, she exhales, “It must be one of them days.” Heavenly synths surge beneath “Halfway” punctuated by a mantra-like refrain, “Listen to your body.” Finally, her vocals flutter through “Butterflies” accented by gentle acoustic guitar and ethereal synths.
About The Honeymoon Phase, she said, “This EP is my own perception of The Honeymoon Phase. Throughout the EP, I cover the bases of self-love, the beginning phase of starting to like someone, the good and the bad of being with someone, and even falling out with someone. I wanted to highlight all parts of what comes with The Honeymoon Phase and the different types of love that exist.”
The project also notably boasts “Used To.” Right out of the gate in January, it incited critical applause. Rated R&B raved, “The song’s enchanting lyrics, underscored by euphoric production that samples Billy Stewart’s “Sitting in the Park,” serve as a heartwarming love letter to her partner.” BET proclaimed, “Kenya Vaun is one of the emerging voices in the R&B landscape, and she is poised to take the genre to new heights.” VIBE put it best, “To round things out, Kenya Vaun is out to steal your heart in that old school type of way.”
Kenya notably went viral for her exhilarating ‘Take A Seat Rap On The Beat” freestyle. She impressively delivered her own spin on a freestyle blending rap with melodies at Washington Square Park in NYC, showcasing another side of her talents and asserting her ability to thrive in any lane.
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