NIRVANA

If you're a fan of UK electronic duo, Disclosure, you've probably been exposed to the silky smooth voice of Sam Smith, the 21-year-old Brit featured on 2013's inescapable dance track, Latch.  Last week Smith released Nirvana, a dreamy ballad that's brilliance has fulfilled my wildest R&B dreams.  In a style similar to Frank Ocean, Smith delivers powerful harmonies and an extremely catchy chorus.  The song is romantic, smooth, and just simply beautiful.  Smith puts cheesy acts like Ne-Yo and Trey Songz to shame, and brings with him a magical sincerity that is rare in the mainstream R&B genre, notorious for it's limited lyrical content featuring "bitches and the dranks", where "damn, yous a sexy bitch" is considered a compliment of the highest order.  Nirvana is the polar opposite of the dark material released by The Weeknd, but is in same lane, talent and originality-wise.  Smith's vocal gift is pure, and he seems like such a sweet, humble guy, always a bonus in a sea of divas and misogynistic "Blurred Lines".

Photo Source: Adam Without Eve