· Lucy Lerner · Reviews
Meemah Jackson’s Reason: A Sassy, Soulful Blend of R&B and Afrobeats That Demands Repeat Plays
Meemah Jackson delivers with her new single Reason which has equal parts silk, sweet and sass and doesn’t sacrifice its groove.
Reason has me pressing replay more times than I’d like to admit.
Meemah Jackson (M.J.) brings her signature vocals to a track that feels familiar and wonderfully fresh.
The production, handled by Malviq, creates a gorgeous silky fusion of R&B and Afrobeats.
And not in that formulaic way we’ve heard many times before, but with a genuine understanding of both genres’ soul.
The melody is earworm material – the chorus especially is the kind that you will be humming in the shower three days later.
But it’s Meemah Jackson’s vocal performance that truly sells it. She has an effortless way of floating between playful and powerful.
And what’s particularly refreshing is how the track handles its love-struck theme.
Instead of going down the well-worn path of yearning or heartbreak, Jackson gives us something more nuanced – a confident celebration of being smitten.
There’s a brilliant sassiness to it all, backed by production that manages to be both sophisticated and infectiously fun.
The guitar elements – Jackson’s contribution – add lovely texture to the track’s modern R&B foundation.
Throw in some jazz instrumentals and Reason certainly has everything you look for in a song.