On RM47’s latest project, 2025’s ‘CYBER,’ the LA-based duo blend alternative R&B and experimental club music to bombastic effect. Following their 2023 debut album, ‘Stuck With You But I Like It,’ ‘CYBER’ sees MAAD and Raleigh evolve as producers, songwriters and performers. In this exclusive commentary, they break down their creative process and the inspirations behind key tracks from ‘CYBER.’ “D.W.U” — “Don’t Wait Up” — sends the message that they’re not waiting around for anyone. “We’re just gonna go get it,” says Raleigh. The track “EOD” is about the vibes at the end of the day: “A lot of us need to learn how to relax,” MAAD says. And “KNOCK KNOCK” sticks to the group’s usual script with its collaborators. “We hear something we love, write to it and the beat gets freaked,” says MAAD. Hear more from RM47, only on SoundCloud.

Voice Notes: RM47 on "KNOCK KNOCK"

Blonde Maze’s latest album, ‘Second Light,’ is an exercise in chill. In this exclusive commentary, the New York electronic composer talks through key tracks from the album, and how she wants her music to be “a place to go to feel safe.” There’s “The Thought of You,” which features vocals by imallryt, and “To Love Again,” with vocals by Lizzy Land. “Her voice touches my heart every time,” says Blonde Maze. Elsewhere, Blonde Maze, née Amanda Steckler, reveals that the closing track on the album, the instrumental “Where the Birds Go to Hum,” features her wife’s voice, laughing and saying “I love you.” Listen now, only on SoundCloud.

Voice Notes: Blonde Maze on "The Thought of You"

Voice Notes: Blonde Maze on "Where the Birds Go to Hum"

Voice Notes: Blonde Maze on "To Love Again"

Voice Notes: Blonde Maze on "Favorite Story"

Voice Notes: Blonde Maze on "Never Dream"

As he was completing his latest album, ‘Casa Mira Mar,’ Cape Verdean singer June Freedom asked himself: “Am I still the person I was before I started this journey?” The resulting song, “Are You Still You?,” intended as the album’s outro, became the theme-setting first track. In this exclusive commentary, June Freedom discusses the album’s creative process and key tracks. While the album offers plenty of feel-good music — “margaritas on the beach,” as he says — “Nha Pele” addresses the colonial background of June’s island home and “what it feels like to be an immigrant.” Listen now. 

Voice Notes: June Freedom on "Nha Pele"

Voice Notes: June Freedom on "Are You Still You?"

Voice Notes: June Freedom on "Go Low"

Voice Notes: June Freedom on "Girls Like Sade"

SoundCloud Stories elevates artists’ creative journeys, spotlights vibrant music communities and gives a behind-the-scenes look at the defining sounds of today and tomorrow. Original content includes the Sound Advice interview series, exclusive track-by-track artist commentary on Voice Notes, and the Weekly Download playlist, which highlights essential scenes and groundbreaking artists.

New tracks tagged # Voice Notes