I got this one in my SH queue about an hour ago. Teia Elaine, a Raleigh, NC singer/songwriter who comes from a musical family, described it as a “funky upbeat hit song [that] gives ‘Work it Out’ mixed with ‘Uptown Funk.'” I have to agree that’s it’s giving a little bit of Beyoncé mixed with some Bruno Mars and a healthy dose of “I’ma say what I want and not give a damn about who doesn’t like it.” It’s playful, sensual, pro-women empowerment and is, in so many words, just the neo-soul/funk-soul equivalent of an artist talking their ish and backing it up. It also manages to put a new spin on the “a woman’s [mental and physical love] is like a garden” trope, which is a bit harder to do than you’d think. It’s like finding a new way to say “I’ma beat that [kitty] up.” When I hear one that’s new and inventive, I grab onto it and see where it takes me.

This one appears on Elaine’s What Would Eve Do project. From what I’ve heard of the project, it seems to look at the world, not as the rib of Adam, but as a whole human being in her own right. I am here for that, because there are many things in the Old Testament I have issues with. Keep the cult-like religiousness away from here. Heck, I’m a Black pan man who likes alcohol, getting my freak on and frequenting strip clubs. I’m good on some of y’all judging me and not minding your own daggone business.

That aside, as I believe in a higher power who loves you unconditionally (God isn’t, nor would God ever be, egotistical), Elaine’s got some powerful vocals. They’re really just…wow. I can’t really put my finger on what makes them amazing, but they are so dang powerful. They’re so luscious and velvety–while being the main attraction of the song–that they’ll grab ahold of you and say “this is me, this is my story and this is what we’re not gonna do with my time.” Check it out below and remember to support dope music in all its forms.