Live Review: Milan Ring perfects duality in 'Drifting'

Astral People have announced their first management signing in two years and its none other than Sydney rapper/singer/producer/multi-instrumentalist MILAN RING, who has been steadily rising off the back of three solid singles. To celebrate, she's dropped 'Drifting', a contemplative and bold take on alt-R&B.

In a short time Milan Ring has amassed a long list of production credits with greats like DRAM, SZA, LL Cool J, and Chance the Rapper's band The Social Experiment. As if that's not enough, she's also played alongside acts like Sampa the Great, Hermitude and The Rubens. She's no stranger to making great tunes, and earlier efforts like 'Obscured' and '2063' display a knack for blending alt-R&B, jazz and elements of hip hop production into something truly special.

'Drifting' sees Milan Ring take a more personal turn, dealing with "the frustration one can have with someone who is unable to move forward, but the patience and love one must have in order for them to grow." This duality is so wonderfully portrayed throughout the track. There's a blend of electronic elements, like the steady kicks and clicks and warm keys, that are complemented by bursts of jazzy trumpet that crescendo in an utterly sublime way. Where the leading vocals lean to a darker style akin to Banks, the layered background vocals have a remarkably early 90s R&B flair to them. The result is a sound that's as forward-thinking as its lyrics, which have a refreshing feel of maturity and understanding to them.

Milan Ring has done wonders with just her own label MXMAY. With Astral People backing her up, we can surely expect something absolutely magical to come soon. In the meantime, you can catch Milan Ring's launch for 'Drifting' at Sydney's Waywards, on the 26th of October.

IMAGE: SUPPLIED

WORDS BY MAX LEWIS

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