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Soul sensation Sophia Bolinder and collaborator John Soul have delivered a smooth, nostalgia-packed gem with their latest single “What I Want” – a velvety R&B ballad that channels the golden era of late-90s soul while feeling freshly relevant. The track is a masterclass in emotional authenticity, wrapping the complicated push-and-pull of modern romance in warm, Toni Braxton-inspired arrangements that linger long after the last note fades.
From the first breathy vocals, “What I Want” pulls listeners into its intimate world of romantic uncertainty. The song’s genius lies in its relatable tension – that aching space between connection and doubt when two people can’t quite read each other’s intentions. Bolinder’s rich, smoky tone plays perfectly against John Soul’s smooth delivery, especially in the improvised call-and-response moments during the chorus that give the track its spontaneous, heart-to-heart feel. Recorded in just 45 minutes in Falkenberg, Sweden, that rawness translates beautifully, making the studio chemistry almost tangible.
The production is a loving throwback to timeless R&B – think swirling vocal harmonies, understated percussion, and melodies that prioritize feeling over flash. Yet there’s nothing dated about lyrics like “Giving love and keeping up with promises, the way that it should be,” which distill modern relationship anxieties into universal truths. It’s this balance between nostalgic sound and contemporary emotional honesty that makes the track stand out in today’s landscape.
For Bolinder, whose commanding stage presence has been turning heads across the European soul scene, this release marks an exciting step in her mission to bring real R&B back to the mainstream. Partnering with John Soul, whose vocal phrasing nods to greats like D’Angelo, the duo has crafted something greater than the sum of its parts: a song that feels like flipping through a loved one’s diary, set to a soundtrack of muted basslines and midnight keys.
“What I Want” is now available on all platforms, offering three and a half minutes of pure soul catharsis for anyone who has ever loved uncertainly. Press play, let the harmonies pull you under, and remember why this sound never really went out of style – it just needed artists like Sophia Bolinder and John Soul to remind us how good it feels.
Listen Here:open.spotify.com/album/0Rvk58n
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