Emotional Oranges Unleash Flavour with Zesty New Album ‘Orenjii’ (Review)

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Emotional Oranges have finally released their debut album, and it is worth the squeeze. The enigmatic R&B duo formed in 2017, building a beloved discography. Now, armed with a firm fanbase for their feel-good tracks that ooze cool, the LA pair drop ‘Orenjii‘.

‘Orenjii‘, the Japanese/Korean word for orange, exemplifies their worldwide appeal and diverse musical inspirations. You’d be forgiven for never knowing exactly what to expect from the duo, with their sound pulling from R&B, pop, hip-hop, and K-pop. However, this project is their most sonically consistent body of work yet. The album is a refreshing listen, and exceptionally well-produced. Moreover, it delivers a light pop feel that still embraces all the funky flavour we’ve come to expect.

CANDY GUM (ft. Jessie Reyez and Becky G)

You’ve heard it said that like attracts like, and if you are Emotional Oranges, dedicated to the craft of putting unquestionable hits, you’re sure to attract some killer collaborations. Here, they’ve recruited two ladies known for their individual style and sultry swagger. Jessie Reyez supports Emo Oranges vocalist Vali Porter on one of the catchiest singles of the year. This is the song for the pre-drinks playlist. It’s all about body confidence, bougie behaviour, and a healthy dose of self-obsession. 

Becky G really delivers with her Spanglish seasoning to give the song an extra smooth finish. ‘He can’t get enough of my honey drippin’ on his tongue.’, she raps.

I love it when true creatives, even without much media attention, get recognised by their peers. This group flies under the radar by today’s standards, as not much is publicly known about the twosome. Everything they have to share is conveyed through their high-calibre music. It’s great to see celebrated artists like Reyez and Becky G respect that and give them their co-sign. 

Flagrant AF

This song is a supremely polished example of glamorous R&B done right. Overflowing with confidence, this laid-back track takes some dance influence that will make it a great record for the club. Azad ‘A’ Right takes the lead, with his smooth vocals giving me a boyband-from-the-noughties vibe. I’ve yet to catch Emotional Oranges live, but I’d imagine this is the song that gets the ladies swooning in the audience. 

This young man is a triple threat, he can rap, produce, and lay down some charming vocals. However, Vali truly ups the tempo as she joins the track mid-way with a response to men who are doing the most for her attention. 

This duo really compliments each other musically and I never get the feeling they’re ‘stepping on each other’s toes’ on any track. In conclusion, they are in complete harmony, literally and creatively – and this song exemplifies that.

Talk About Us (ft. Isaiah Falls)

Track seven of the project offers a smooth and sexy respite from the high energies of other tracks on the debut. This is a crowd-pleasing laid-back addition to ‘Orenjii‘, perfect for when you’re seeking some chilled-out R&B. Additionally, up-and-coming Floridian rapper Isaiah Falls steals the spotlight in this collaboration. He laces the track with his smooth talking that gets listeners hot under the collar.  

Final Thoughts

Like any high-quality album, favourite tracks inevitably will, and should, change all the time. I must give special mention to the dreamy ‘Out The Blue‘ that closes the album, plus ‘Call It Off‘ featuring K-pop star JAEHYUN. This was their latest single released for this project, stamping their love for this genre into the ground. Furthermore, in true K-pop style, this single has cultivated a cult obsession, with swathes of K-pop fans now discovering the Californian creatives and loving them.

In conclusion, for many artists, a debut album drop comes with the hope of a mainstream breakthrough or the moment they fly out from under the radar. However, Emotional Oranges are arguably already there and this album simply solidifies their status. They have performed at Coachella, and toured Australia and New Zealand, whilst selling out venue after venue across Europe last year. What could possibly top that? Answer: tour with a live band. A ‘Worldwide Oranges’ tour was recently announced, promising a smattering of impressive supporting acts. 

While I patiently wait for those UK dates to drop, I’ll keep my glass half full of this freshly squeezed musical goodness.

Rating: 9/10

Emotional Oranges are on Instagram, Threads, X, and TikTok. Read more album reviews here and stream ‘Orenjii‘ below.

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