Artists You Should Know: SOLOMON is R&B’s Newest Lovelorn Crooner, New Single and Music Video for “unrequited”

Furnished with a delicately sumptuous voice that streams his lovesick lyricism, London-based SOLOMON is poised to become a noteworthy name amongst R&B artists. His most recent single, “unrequited,” is the latest track to delve into the lulling confessionals that comprise his music. With just two EPs under the belt and a discography overflowing with lovelorn affection, he’s proven himself a nimble tugger of heartstrings.

SOLOMON initially arrived on the scene in 2018 with “Way Back When” — the single foreshadowing the importance of sparse but resonant alt-R&B production and dexterous instrumentals to his creations. Steered by the soft strums of an acoustic guitar, which has become a staple of his pensive melodies, he returned a few years later with the lush and loquacious “my dear.”

Then came the release of his eight-track debut EP, For Starters. Engulfed in the allure of his open-hearted songwriting, the collection’s opening song, “do you want my love?” unfolds as this lullaby setting the tone for the rest of the album.

Whether he’s wrestling with the danger of finding new love when you’re not yet ready for it, as on the beat-suave “listen up,” or exploring the liminal spaces and haunting memories of a now terminated relationship on “phases” (feat. Kojey Radical) — SOLOMON shines a light on a multitude of heartache. However, he’s also just as touching when he’s voicing the limitless breadth of the love he has to give (“burn out”).

Showing no signs of slowing down, he released his VOICE MEMOS EP shortly afterward. Made up of four short tracks that collectively clock at just three minutes long, SOLOMON manages to deepen the depthless intimacy with each song’s stunning brevity. Once more, he opted for the spellbinding minimalism of his acoustic-vocal pairings on songs like “he don’t” and “middle.”

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With “unrequited,” he continues to find ways to enchant with his less is more approach. There’s the familiar tangle of a guitar-driven melody, sonorous textures, and gently propulsive back beats. All of which envelop SOLOMON’s imploring words: “do you want me as much as I want you? / just your body language implies that you might do / I can’t help but feel like this stage is exciting.”

The track comes with a music video that finds the artist smitten with a woman sitting at a bus stop. She sits and reads by herself while he starts to edge closer — serenading her with his heart on his sleeve and musing over the possibilities — her small smiles encouraging and drawing him in.

Words: Steven Ward

Visit SOLOMON on their TikTok and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.

Listen to “unrequited” the new single from SOLOMON.