Over the last few years, the UK and Ireland has felt synonymous with the vibrant and rising, jazz-flavoured, neo-soul scene. From hundreds of vocalists filling bustling jazz bars with their dulcet tones, to the genre’s powerhouses such as Cleo Sol and Lianne La Havas showcasing this alluring genre to the masses. 2023 has proved to be rich in these soul-full projects, with 1000 Beasts and Tomike’s most recent release, ‘Cherry Delight’, being no exception.

Earlier this month, Cork-based producer 1000 Beasts teamed up with Dublin artist Tomike to create the smooth and dreamy ‘Cherry Delight’. The track sports an Amy Winehouse-esque drum opening, a bright and twangy guitar riff and a clean chord progression, leaving no question of 1000 Beast’s ease for jazz-infused production. Tomike’s celestial vocals fit like the last puzzle piece, weaving in and out of every layer of the record. She echoes self-assured mantras, adding to the track’s mellow, glowing soundscape that you just want to wrap yourself up in.  

After debuting his first album in 2022, 1000 Beasts has experimented with various sonic styles, all with one common denominator: a warm, signature soul that pulsates through each track. He says “The concept behind 1000 Beasts is simple. One producer who writes & collaborates with different artists (the “beasts”) on each track to create music greater than the sum of its parts.” So for this most recent release, teaming up with fellow Irish-artist Tomike just makes sense. Having established herself as a jazz-influenced neo-soul artist, the talented vocalist finds a way to carry her musical roots throughout her catalouge, whether it be on a smooth and sultry track or seamlessly blending onto a high-energy dance release.

‘Cherry Delight’ stands as a testament to neo-soul’s exciting trajectory, and showcases a divine collaboration between two of Ireland’s most exciting up and coming artists. The New Age Mag can’t wait to see what else these two have up their sleeve.