User:Prism/February 15

February 15 is the second extended play (EP) by English recording artist Nao, released on 1 May 2015 through her own label Little Tokyo Recordings. The project, written by Nao and mainly produced by Royce Well Jr. and Kwes., is styled in neo-soul, with R&B elements and complemented by the artist's distinct vocal style.

Critical reviews of February 15 were generally positive, with journalists complimenting its cohesion and inovation. "Inhale Exhale" was lifted as the EP's lead single, while "Zillionaire" was included in a brand promotional advert.

Background and release
Nao released her first extended play (EP) So Good (2014)

Composition


February 15 is primarily rooted in neo-soul, infusing elements of dubstep, deep house and bass music, with prominent funk influences.

"When we think about the sounds and aesthetics of the late '90s and early '00s, the most immediate images are [...] spacey digital aesthetics. [...] On this EP, Nao deals in what feels like the converse of these aesthetics: Instead of constructing idealistic projections of the future, she seems to prefer a nostalgic, tender vision of the not-so-distant past, assembled with shiny new tools and contextualized by the world we live in now." "Inhale Exhale"

"Apple Cherry"

"It's You"

Critical reception
Grantland contributor Danny Chau singled the project as "one of [his] favorite music releases of the year". Writing for Pretty Much Amazing, Grant Rindler referred to it as a "masterpiece"; the reviewer commended its cohesive sound, attributing it to Nao's artistry and the extended play's "meticulous sequencing". The extended play placed at number one on the website's Best EPs of 2015 list. Meaghan Garvey of Pitchfork Media