Manasseh gives some of his best work w/ release “R&Beyond”

Manasseh is truly a work of art. He has so much to say, and there is an intention behind not only the music he creates, but the passion he continues to pour into R&B and soul. Somehow, his live performances can feel even more powerful than the records themselves, and that says a lot, because the music already carries an incredible amount of emotion. His melodies, harmonies, songwriting, and subject matter all feel intentional. There’s a constant duality in his music, love and heartbreak, confidence and vulnerability, intimacy and something much bigger. And after asking Manasseh for an album that shows all of what he’s capable of, he finally delivered. “R&Beyond” is easily some of his best work to date..

There’s something universal about this project. It doesn’t feel like an album you casually run through once and move on from. You have to allow yourself to be enveloped in it. The more you sit with the production, vocals, writing, and overall atmosphere, the more the project begins to reveal itself. With appearances from Galaxy Francis, Heavy Crownz, LeftJones, Femdot, Rhome, and more, the collaborations add different textures without taking away from the world Manasseh has created. And despite the project being relatively short, the mixing and mastering are impeccable. Everything feels polished without losing the warmth and soul that make this kind of music work. Our biggest critique actually has very little to do with the album itself, it’s time for a tour..

At this point, Manasseh is becoming an important voice in pushing R&B and soul forward. And that shouldn’t stop within Chicago’s music ecosystem. “R&Beyond” deserves another listening experience. It deserves a headlining show. It deserves a small run of dates that allows people in different cities to experience these records the way Manasseh performs them live. Because what he’s contributing is bigger than simply making good R&B. At a time when R&B and soul continue to evolve, Manasseh is getting back to something foundational, talking about love. What it means to want it. What it means to experience it. What it means to lose it, question it, and still believe in it. He’s bringing those conversations into his sonics without making them feel dated or forced. “R&Beyond” feels like another step toward Manasseh fully realizing what his voice can mean beyond Chicago. Now we need the rest of the world to experience it..

Until then, take a listen and let us know what you think..