The Rules
Self-Released, 2025
8/10
The Brooklyn Alt R&B artist Janie May pens 8 songs about the inauthenticity of today’s world, where interaction is often guided by social media.
The title track gets the listen started with much atmosphere, where May’s soulful singing is met with graceful keys and playful percussion, and “Transform” follows with expressive singing amid a stylish climate that’s got plenty of pop spirit.
Arriving at the midpoint, “If I Knew” places for emphasis on drumming amid the melodic and electro-pop bouts, while “Heal My Soul (HMS)” comes with an ominous quality via the ambience that leads into expressive singing and a cinematic backdrop.
“Not Alone” and “Together” exit the listen. The former carries an adventurous mood that’s dance floor ready and also very modern, and the latter finishes with beats and buzzing in its creative and engaging demeanor.
An often personal effort, May’s vision is one that embraces electronic pop, R&B and soul, where her Italian-Argentine heritage and classical background might bring to mind the Eurythmics or Lauryn Hill.
Travels well with: Ute Lemper- Pirate Jenny; Melbreeze- Amethyst