Congolese descent and South African-bred Rouge recently released a short EP. It comprised two tracks that entangle dance elements to a hip-hop sound.
These tracks clearly confirm Rouge‘s affirmation of finding her sound. Her process in the making of her expected sophomore album. I’m interested to find out what the whole album will sound like. But so far, it has fun, dance elements, and light hip-hop tunes.
Summer Feels & O.T.T Review
Just in time for Summer in South Africa, Rouge has blessed us with a song that’ll pair perfectly at festivals, concerts, and picnics.
She begins,
“I get just a little shy, not romantic
But I need to try, It’s semantics
Not my nature, but I guess you’re worth it”
Rouge here is teasing with the idea of a start of summer love. She describes the rollercoaster of emotions this person seems to evoke. Rouge has always been brilliant at storytelling, even though the song isn’t full of bars. Which it doesn’t really need, has me intrigued by what she says next.
She continues to liberate her feelings on the chorus,
“There’s something about you, I don’t know but I’m ’bout to
You got the feel I want, you are the one I want”
Definitely feels like a summer-loving feel. The interest. The chase. The difficulties of emotions. The butterflies, due to how she is always thinking about this person.
‘Summer Feels’ is on brand regarding a song of the summer. But I think some hip-hop fans will wonder about Rouge shying away from a mainly hip-hop sound.
O.T.T is a more aggressive track. A total opposite of what ‘Summer Feels‘ brought. This is a typical Rouge move, doing the unexpected. The track begins with what seems like a shot at somebody.
“Back with a vengeance!
Which b*tch thinking she could top me?
Ahead of the game, given you a head start
Everything you dropped been a flop, Hella sloppy”
A great delivery. She perfectly enunciated words so you feel the extra punch of the words. It’s a good start. The hook is alright but keeps the track going. And makes you yearn for the next verse.
In the second verse, she goes back into her potent flow.
I like Rouge’s ability to rap or sing in different languages in one song. She does it well, and I think she could be one of a few artists in hip-hop who can. On O.T.T, she did it well.
Both of the songs are refreshing because it’s a fresh sound, and Rouge is experimenting with her upcoming album. Hopefully, it’ll result in a sonically good album.