Rhye a.k.a. Milosh, photo by Genevieve Medow Jenkins

Rhye started as a collaboration between Milosh, a Canadian electronic musician with a background in drumming and jazz vocals, and Danish producer Robin Hannibal. Though Hannibal left the group around the release of Woman, the group’s first album, Milosh has surrounded himself with a trusted group of live musicians to bring Rhye’s smooth, electronic R&B to the stage. Milosh’s voice has become a coveted property in electronic music: as Rhye, he appeared on the song “Break Apart” from Bonobo’s 2017 album Migration.

Fresh off the heels of new album Blood – released February 2nd on Loma Vista/Hostess – Rhye will bring tracks from both albums to Boston’s Paradise Rock Club on Wednesday, February 28th, with support from Boulevards, a funk musician from Raleigh, NC. When it comes to recording, Milosh takes on most of the duties, so it will be interesting to see what kind of live setup Rhye employs on this tour.

Rhye’s newest album features wide, reverb-drenched drums and synths that whirl around subtle guitar licks. Plus, orchestral strings add to the understated intensity that persists throughout the album’s eleven songs. It combines the icy textures of downtempo electronic with the tenants of quiet storm R&B. Milosh sings with a breathy reservation that layers itself with the instrumentation. Standout tracks include the album’s lead single “Please,” as well as “Taste” and “Phoenix.” Grooves loop and build, and the emotion expressed becomes more about what is held back than what is given. It’s no wonder Rhye’s music has drawn comparisons to circa-1990 Sade. Milosh has refined an intimate, soulful sound.

Blood comes as the result of Milosh’s effort to buyout his recording contract with his own label. In a recent interview with British GQ, he explained how he also maintains creative control over the visual side of Rhye. Their releases feature wide, landscape shots, all taken by Milosh himself, a former photographer.  The cover of Blood depicts an image of his girlfriend Genevieve. 

Stream Blood below via Spotify.