Entering the sonic world of Elmiene is always a warm and comforting affair. The Oxford singer-songwriter offers a mix of dulcet tones, feathery strings and chilled-out synths to mull over while he shares a few of his stories since becoming one of the UK’s newest R&B prospects. Solidifying his spot as a UK R&B luminary with 2023 EPs ‘El-Mean’ and ‘Marking My Time’, the 23-year-old has since worked with the likes of Stormzy and Sampha, supported SZA at her 2024 Hyde Park show and taken over the BBC Introducing stage at last year’s Glastonbury. He’s even earned an Ivor Novello Award nomination – and the hype is still justified after listening to ‘Anyway I Can’.
While in his realm, it feels like we’re visiting an old friend – a testament to Elmiene’s stellar storytelling skills. ‘Ode To Win’ is a soothing tune about taking life one day at a time – something he’s perhaps learnt on his steady ascension. Dazzling strings shimmer in the background as he drops numerous proverbs throughout: “If I leave and I lose it, then I’ll be a fool to the end / Step through the moment again and, hey, I’m helpless.”
‘Sweetness’ is more metaphorical as syrupy and funky synths mask lyrics detailing the bitter feeling of breaking away from your other half. Likening him and his partner to fruit, Elmiene suggests they ruined themselves by picking one another: “Spoilt where we’d rather be / We would have been just fine, hanging up on the vine.”
The EP takes a lot from ‘90s and ‘00s R&B; most notably, the guitar licks throughout are nostalgic callbacks, reminiscent of a Joe or D’Angelo song. Elmiene shows off his high register on ‘Crystal Tears’, hitting notes Maxwell would be proud of over the light drums and sweet chimes. But songs like ‘Dark Out (Season of Thieves)’ reimagine just what R&B is. As the velvety hum of the bass swipes across a plane of shimmery piano notes and guitar strums, Elmiene narrates the fear of falling for someone: “It’s dark out, where is the law now? / You left me lonely in a season of thieves, it’s so low.” So short yet so irresistible, the song’s understated style is transcendent, amping up R&B’s already heartwarming core.
As the hook for ‘Anyways’ rings (“Anyways, how have you been?”) over the dreamy instrumental, Elmiene wraps up our catch-up, leaving us to linger in his musical magic that make even the simplest moments feel profound. Although this EP is a continuation of his signature muted sound and isn’t as wide-reaching as some of his peers, ‘Anyway I Can’ is music with heart – and Elmiene knows exactly how to tug on it.
