Erika de Casier - ‘Still’ - An infectious club record about love and desire.

“Still” is an infectious club record about love and desire that invites the audience into a reflection of self.

Erika de Casier's latest and third album, "Still," marks a confident step forward for the Copenhagen based R&B artist who has been constantly making waves since her debut in 2019 with "Essentials''. De Casier reached critical darling status with her second album “Sensational”, and commercial success co-writing the K-pop phenomenon NewJeans’ latest EP “Get Up”.

While maintaining true to the themes of her previous works, "Still" sees de Casier diving deeper into the turmoils of modern relationships in the 21st century. It is a refreshing and flirty attempt at blending nostalgic 90s R&B and Y2K, taking clear inspiration from Aaliyah, Janet Jackson and TLC,  with a twist reminiscent of her contemporary peers such as Amaarae, Blood Orange and PinkPantheress (which could have easily been a feature on the lead single “Lucky”).

In the opening track "Right This Way," de Casier welcomes us to her party with sensual lyrics and hip-hop and garage beats, setting the tone for an album that is both introspective and inviting. Throughout the album, de Casier's tackles topics such as on-off relationships, anxiety, commitment issues, and the exciting anticipation of new encounters, all delivered with emotional clarity and intelligence.

One of the album's strongest points is the exploration of the grey areas of romance. Tracks like "Ice" and "Test It'' go into the complexities and problems of modern relationships, such as ghosting and situationships, while "Ooh" dives into the world of hook-ups and physical attraction.

While "Still" feels like her most intimate collection of songs, it also sees her branching out into features, which she lacks in her past records, including They Hate Change, Blood Orange, and Shygirl. These collaborations, instead of overshadowing her, add depth and texture to an album already interesting enough to take on her own.

Even though some tracks might lack depth and be a bit too on the nose such as “Anxious” and “Toxic”. Overall, "Still" is a solid addition to her discography, showcasing her growth as an artist while staying true to her unique minimalist approach to R&B music that has garnered her critical acclaim. This record, being one of the best releases of the year yet, left us wanting more and eager to hear what is next for de Casier.