Conscious Route and Wends join forces for Swaggin, a laid-back, soulful slice of R&B topped off with a sprinkle of rap. Wav Machine’s production is accented with melodic keys and saxophone courtesy of Dylan Hooper to create a soundscape that nods to classic neo soul as the crisp snares keep things ticking along.

Wends opens the track delivering the hook with a relaxed confidence as she lays back into the beat, declaring, “Been low but I’ll come back round, Got me feeling high strung til I’m in that sound, Want to lose my mind to the bass and drums I can’t come back down now, not now” Continuing through into the first verse, Wends speaks on relationships and the fear of letting yourself be vulnerable in love before the hook rolls back around to introduce a verse from Conscious Route, who brings themes of family rifts, expectations, judgement and the pressures that pile up in everyday life. However, there is a hint of a solution as Conscious Route raps, “Breathe, regulate, Karate, martial in the art, body, mind, powered by the heart, body, mind, powered by the art.” As the track draws to a close, the beat drops away, leaving the lilting saxophone, keys and bass to bring a subtle gospel edge as Wends and Conscious Route assert , “Kings and Queens round here.”

At its core, ‘Swaggin’ comes with a sense of hope despite tough times, bringing a message to carry the weight as you find your people and reconnect with the things that will help you lift your crown again. A disarmingly powerful message wrapped up in a beautifully soulful, yet street-savvy package.

Track produced by Wav Machine Lyrics by Wends & Conscious Route Keyboard & Saxophone Dylan Hooper Mixed by Mackenzie Mastered by Forest DLG Artwork by Lilr Ragaey Editorial Tom Clover