I’ve never been a massive fan of the modern r&b genre, but there are a few bangers that really get me going. Luckily enough, R. J. Augustine’s new album The Summer Classic is one such record, perfectly designed and released in time for the summer season.

By Jane Howkins

There’s quite a few songs on The Summer Classic to delve into, but your patience will surely be rewarded in full, as the entire album is great, with few filler songs (if any). Flawless is the first track up, and the title really does suit it well, kicking the record off in style and showing the listener what goodness they can expect from the remainder of the album. Augustine’s vocals are absolutely on point here, drifting in sultry style against the dreamy beat and instrumentation. To the Top is another pop/r&b banger – however, it has much more of an intense feel to it, rather than the sexy vibes of Flawless. The lyrics are on point too, matching the vocal flow and music perfectly.

Infinity is one of my favourite songs on The Summer Classic, showcasing some fantastic songwriting skills. Augustine has chosen the perfect chord sequence here, matched by the amazing gospel vocals, which make up much of the instrumentation of the tune. A Way is another instant classic – whilst it may not reinvent the r&b wheel, it is perfectly suited to listening to on those long days at the beach, letting the listener unwind in style to the gorgeous rhythms on offer here.

Next up is Girl of the Summer, another summer-tinged tune that sees Augustine singing to a special ladyfriend – and who could listen to those amazingly smooth vocals and not be interested? It’s one of the more stripped-down, slower songs on the record, yet this factor only makes it sound even more beautiful. The main hook on Lovely Day is simply infectious, making it perfect for the summer season. One of the things I love about Augustine’s music is that he also uses a lot of non-electronic instrumentation, with this song seeing him using some nice acoustic guitar melodies, creating a feel-good energy that fans of the genre should love.

Get It Baby is one of the most upbeat songs on The Summer Classic, seeing the songwriter and producer introduce some classic soul and funk moments into the mix – the brass instruments and strings sound awesome here, creating a real cinematic soundscape. The perfect production quality continues on Cookout Vibes, which is a little slower than the previous tune, although it’s certainly not stripped-back by any means. The bassline throbs in wonderful style throughout, urging you to shake your hips along to the main melody.

Supernova is another song that introduces a neo-soul sound, seeing Augustine use his strong falsetto vocal range to really draw you in, as he sings about yet another captivating attraction. Fresh Kicks is dedicated to the ‘sneaker heads’ out there, with the lyrics singing about the joy this vocalist gets from wearing a new pair of trainers/sneakers. The track sees Augustine portray a sense of timeless swagger and charm, displaying a great deal of confidence throughout.

Stay Up features an amazing bass-infused synthline that carries throughout most of the track, making it the perfect song for dancing along to in a nightclub – this banger of a song should definitely be a single, and it’s one of my favourites on the entire record. This Is for You switches things up once again – instead of a big club song, it’s a smooth and sultry r&b tune, with the lyrics coming straight from the heart.

The next song up is Drive, which makes for the perfect soundtrack to a late night drive through the city. The pacing is absolutely hypnotic here, suiting both the title and the lyrical themes of the piece. It’s Your Choice comes in next – it’s another soulful ballad that slows the tempo of The Summer Classic down considerably – however, this is a good thing, providing a nice change of pace.

Lay Back is perfectly titled, as it’s the perfect song to listen to whilst relaxing, whatever situation you find yourself in. The r&b chords have something of a jazz influence to them, showing yet another genre that Augustine can comfortably perform. The final song on the album is Late in August, bringing things to a nice close. It has a slightly bittersweet hue, ending both the album and the summer, although it still leaves the listener with a palpable sense of warmth and closure.

It really is amazing that R. J. Augustine has managed to create such a banging album with a total of sixteen songs on it, each one showcasing a different skill set, showing just how amazing this independent artist is. Keep your eyes peeled for more from Augustine soon – in the meantime, you can find The Summer Classic below.

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