Zoe Yovéla's most recent single, "Natural", is like a beam of sunshine peering through an overcast day, effortless, warm, uplifting, and unfeasibly catchy. A glorious concoction of Neo Soul, R&B, and Funk, the track exudes the very best soul sounds from a golden age, with an updated twist. From the first note, Zoe's honeyed vocals envelop the listener in a sense of comforting familiarity, but there's a spark here and there that keeps everything feeling alive.
"Natural" is no mere feel-good love song, it's more than that during difficult days in many respects. Its funk grooves are propulsive without being overly aggressive, and hold hands with the velvety intimacy of classic soul. The production of the track is calculated but organic, allowing Zoe's voice to float over sheer instrumentations, while the lyrics are a reminder that connection and love are timeless. There's a light-on-its-feet optimism here, a spangle fairground spark that coaxes out laughter even when the world seems heavy.
For anyone looking for a song to uplift and unite, "Natural" does it all. It's a song that feels right for both a sunny afternoon and a late-night soul sesh, and for radio rotation that actually needs some warmth and refinement. Zoe Yovéla is establishing herself as the rising UK soulstress whose sound connects timeless emotion with contemporary taste, delivering music that not only has deep intimacy but also world-encompassing expansiveness, a deep breath you never knew you needed.
With "Natural", Zoe not only provides a song but also a mood, a memory, and an excuse to feel happy. It's today's soul music. It's shiny, warm, and unabashedly alive.