a l l i e
Photo: Gillian Mapp
Positive Vibes Only: Allie Exemplifies Neo-Soul With Serene Rooftop Performance Of "Alchemy"
It's nearly impossible to define what exactly counts as neo-soul—and that's how it should be. A subgenre known for its all-encompassing elements and unshackled structure can't be put in a box.
The best definitions of neo-soul come from examples — Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Jill Scott, Jhené Aiko, and early SZA. In the newest episode of Positive Vibes Only, Canadian singer-songwriter a l l i e adds her soothing performance of "Alchemy" to the ever-growing list of examples that help explain the indescribable subgenre.
Watch the Toronto native's calming performance below.
"Alchemy" served as the final track on a l l i e's 2021 album Tabula Rasa, which roughly translates from Latin to English as "clean slate." The term stems from an ancient Greek theory that humans are born with no mental expertise and all knowledge comes from experience.
The philosophical title is fitting since a l l i e describes the 11-track album as "an amalgamation of her collective experiences, two years worth of material, a trip across Europe, and a cathartic homecoming to Jamaica."
Check down below for more episodes of the Positive Vibes Only performance series.
