Full Review

Bea Kadri, B4WBU Review

Bea Kadri is a Lebanese singer-songwriter that has created a unique chill sound delivered with sultry attitude as she sings about self-discovery, empowerment, and all matters of the heart. Growing up listening to Pop, Hip-Hop, and R&B from the 90’s influences her today as she forges into sounds of Alternative R&B and Future Pop. Her talents for pop culture also extend past music, she does most of her own visual artwork and video edits. She is also a fashion designer and creator of the brands Young Wilderness and Fashiontv Eyewear. In 2018, Kadri moved to London to pursue a Master’s degree in Music Business Management from the University of Westminster. Studying hard by day, she is still performing all around the city by night, including performing at the Brit Awards 2018 with Justin Timberlake, his choir, and Chris Appleton. Her discography consists of her debut single “Cloud 9,” three album tracks with Universal Music: “Warning Sign,” “Knock Me Down,” and “No Favours” and three EDM tracks, “In Your Arms,” “Colors of Love,” and “Dreaming.” Now Kadri is releasing her latest single, “B4WBU” (accompanied by a VEVO video). This is her second single release with a VEVO video.

Positives: A relaxed groove frames Kadri’s sensual voice as she sings about Love and Long Distance.

Bottom Line: “B4WBU” combines the sounds of R&B, electro-pop, and future pop to unfold an emotional musical journey. Kadri says this about the song, “This is a song about wishing time could stop so I could catch up with the reality sinking in that a love I once put on a pedestal needs to end. I’m unable to handle facing the emotions hence the hook ‘I need a break before we break up.’ This realization personally came after investing so much time and energy into a long-distance relationship that came crumbling down when we finally came face to face.” The song was produced, mixed and mastered by Zack Shaar. Brian McShea provided the nylon-strung guitar parts. Kadri does an excellent job of conveying the emotion of the lyrics in her singing and inflections. Her ornamentations of the melody are tasteful and soulful. The hi-hat pattern in the song has much to be desired, but the rest of the production is solid, and Kadri’s vocals make up for the weak hi-hat part that is so common in this genre. The VEVO video is gorgeous. Kadri says, “The ballerina dancers represent my conflicted emotions and voices in my head while I am sitting numbly at a party.” Overall, Kadri’s vocal timbre and relaxed phrasing won our ears and hearts. That’s the short of it!