On his debut album B-Side Soul, South London’s Roseland En Why Cee, also known as Nathan Jamal, extends a hand into the hidden layers of his mind and past, inviting listeners to explore the depths of his psyche. With influences drawn from alternative hip-hop, soul, and live instrumentation, B-Side Soul feels less like an album and more like a heartfelt confessional journal. The album oscillates between profound introspection and broader social commentary, creating a layered soundscape that manages to be both intimate and universally resonant.
Roseland’s intention for B-Side Soul is clear from the album’s title and concept. He draws inspiration from the "B-side aesthetic," a term coined by writer Johny Pitts to capture the spirit of music that defies the polished, mainstream "A-side" sound. The B-side, with its grit, imperfections, and creative freedom, reflects the essence of what Roseland aims to share: a space to be raw and unfiltered, unconcerned with widespread acceptance. “This is B-side music for B-side people,” he declares. This vision informs each track, as Roseland’s lyricism digs into the messiness of existence, the weight of trauma passed through generations, and the resilience required to rise above it.
At the heart of the album, “Past Life” stands out as a deeply reflective meditation on inherited trauma and the emotional scars etched across generations. Roseland’s lyrics are brutally honest: “Mommy carried me for nine, I carry her pain forever. And it can rain at any time like LDN weather.” With these words, he captures the haunting sense of being shaped by a lineage of pain, while wrestling with the desire to end the cycle. The verses unfold like a carefully crafted narrative, where ancestral trauma interweaves with his own struggles, using both metaphor and stark reality to express the inescapable weight of family history. His voice, combined with the melancholy bassline and jazz-inspired piano, brings to life the bittersweet dance of resilience and despair.
The album’s production is as intentional as its lyrics. Roseland’s jazz background shines through, especially in his commitment to using live instruments over digital simulations. The use of bass, guitar, and piano – often recorded through amplifiers to capture the warmth of live sound – adds a sense of closeness, as though he’s performing in the room with you. This decision amplifies the album’s authenticity, aligning perfectly with the themes of introspection and unadorned vulnerability. Tracks like “Hands of Men” and “Ways of Seeing” combine hip-hop rhythms with soulful, organic instrumentation that brings dimension to his words, grounding Roseland’s thoughts in a rich, textured soundscape.
B-Side Soul doesn’t shy away from complex themes, but instead embraces them head-on. Roseland En Why Cee has crafted a body of work that challenges the listener to think and feel deeply, using music as a vehicle for connection and understanding. His words speak to anyone who’s felt burdened by history or isolated by difference, creating a collective space for healing. In a time when music often opts for surface-level allure, B-Side Soul is refreshingly unapologetic in its quest to find meaning in the messiness of life. This album is more than an artistic debut; it’s a testament to Roseland’s journey and the journeys of countless others who, like him, live in the shadows yet strive to break free.
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