Jordan Raf

Jordan Raf's album Double Negative comes out this summer on POW Recordings, and he's partnered with labelmate Chester Watson on the cut "Hollywood." The song's early rhythms feel like 808s-meets-"Wolves," before settling into a distinct indie R&B aesthetic which distinguishes it from ever hedging too close to Ye. Raf flirts occasionally with Anderson .Paak intonations here, which is fitting since "Hollywood" sometimes evokes Malibu. The R&B comparisons continue, which shouldn't be a slight against Raf, an art student at UCLA. He sees the same hills as Weeknd, but just drifts on. "Hollywood" has a wispy, powerful sensibility all its own. Chester Watson, on the beat by smitty the bg, taps Earl Sweatshirt with his frenetic, trippy verse. His new EP with Kent Loon, Spring Mirage, is out May 23.