Formerly known as Kamila Sumner, Chicago-based artist Hi Love is making big waves in the modern R&B and soul world. A lover of music since her youth, Hi Love’s sound has been shaped by great artists like Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and Curtis Mayfield. With an impressive resume that includes working with Kanye West, Needlz, and NO I.D., the bar is set high for her work. But on her latest single Arrows, she undoubtedly delivers.
“Sometimes when you’re trying to find your way and you make wrong turns and doors are closed you feel like you need to do more. Sometimes you need to do less.” – Hi Love
A smooth, dynamic, and captivating song, Arrows combines a hip hop rhythm and cadence with distinct soul undertones that elevate the track. Hi Love’s vocals are delicate but powerful, deftly executing complex riff after complex riff. They sit perfectly over a well-arranged, endlessly modern collection of complex but cohesive instrumentation that has a definitive R&B feel interspersed with pop elements. It’s familiar without being predictable, and unique without being disjointed.
The chorus in this track is a high point, with a quick but catchy delivery and a universal message that is sure to resonate with any audience. And the message, too, is particularly strong in this track. Hi Love tells us this song seeks to inspire “listeners to stay focused on their journey through times of feeling lost“, and this theme radiates throughout. The line that says it most succinctly encourages strength and tenacity: ” “And I know the way to go, cause I see it in my mind and I’ll follow the arrow.”
Hi Love is laying it all out on the table in this release. Arrows is motivating and inspiring, backed by definitive songwriting talent and musical skill. Lovers of a pop-tinged soul sound will feel right at home on this track, but so will anyone with an appreciation for quality musicianship, impressive vocals, and a well-rounded handle on modern production. For more of Hi Love, dive into her latest full-length album release, Cold Wind.
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BELOW: Listen to Arrows and connect with her website and social media platforms. Please support Hi Love by visiting her online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing her music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!