It's been a long wait but New York native Liana Banks has finally delivered her debut project, Insubordinate, and it lives up to the hype.
Since dropping the banging "LVLUP" back in February, Banks has steadily released a string of well received singles, culminating in the honest, opinionated, R&B flavoured Insubordinate mixtape.
"When you filter your art, you suppress your truths. You in turn, water down your message, your essence is stripped and you mask your identity," Banks told Complex over email. "If you mask 'YOU,' how will anyone know who 'YOU' are? Fuck perception, Fuck Rules. ALWAYS DO YOU. Welcome to my no holds, zero fuck filled mixtape, Insubordinate."
The 12-track collection is a tour de force of raw emotion, introspective lyrics and hip-hop infused R&B production. Choosing a highlight is hard, but I can't go past, "Lost," featuring the vocal talents of fellow New Yorker Jordan Bratton. The bass heavy production is reminiscent of Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Ladies / Let Me Talk To You (Prelude)," with Bratton's sooth croon the ideal partner for Banks' sultry delivery.
Do yourself a favor and listen to the entire project here.
