Shakir J Z Rukoza / @a1illustration / Courtesy of BINA.
South London-born R&B artist BINA. has flown under the radar over the past couple of years, putting out just one EP and a handful of singles while refining her sound. Still just 20, the singer-songwriter clearly draws as much influence from modern R&B innovators like Hiatus Kaiyote and IAMDDB as she does from neo-soul luminaries like Erykah Badu, and each new release has nudged her closer to a distinct sound of her own. On "Dark Cloud" premiering below, BINA. borrows more heavily from jazz, her voice effortlessly hopping from place to place over mellow keys and spare drums. Where many young singers might tack on a crescendo or wander aimlessly hoping to demonstrate impossible range, BINA.'s talent here lies in her understatement.
“It’s about self-acceptance," BINA. wrote of the song in an email to The FADER. "Spending a lot of time alone, I got to realize that I’m kinda fucked up — we all are. And then it made me think about how much I appreciate the people who embrace that side of me.”
Listen to "Dark Cloud" below.