Fresh from hitting the stage at Sol Blume music festival over the weekend, rising R&B star Zae France returns with his latest EP, Rhythm n Backwoods Szn II, out now via Compound Entertainment/Def Jam Recordings. Heralded earlier this year by adorned singles “What It Do” featuring Fridayy and “Give It Up,” the latest project from the North Carolina-born/ Connecticut-raised serenader features six carefully crafted, captivating tracks.
Rhythm n Backwoods Szn II welcomes production from a number of renowned names, including long-time trusted collaborator MizzyLott [Chris Brown, Enchanting], OG Parker (PARTYNEXTDOOR, Summer Walker], Romano [Latto, Yung Bleu], and more. The project turns a new page from Zae’s first installment of Rhythm N Backwoods (2019) with more dynamic offerings, taking listeners on a rollercoaster of sounds and styles from intense passion and desire to uptempo, euphonious bops. Zae stands firm on his truth, reflecting on new realities relating to life, love, and the ebbs and flows that can pull both concepts as one and apart within the blink of an eye.
Earlier this year, Zae released one of the featured tracks, “What It Do” featuring Fridayy, as it was met with widespread critical and fan acclaim alike. Lyrical Lemonade shared, “What It Do displays how versatile the gifted vocalist has gotten over the years as he introduces a new sound for his fans to enjoy,” as ThisisRnB declared “Zae France has a unique ability to elevate and continue to give people what they want. The harmonious new track can be described as warm, fun, and having an upbeat R&B vibe. The new song displays Zae’s ability to craft a catchy hook and how he is continuing to climb to the top of the R&B world with every release.” Rated R&B, Kazi Magazine , and more furthermore praised the track.
Elsewhere, his song “Give It Up” continues to amass significant reception since its initial release last month, including press praise from UPROXX and Vibe Magazine as one of the ‘Best R&B Songs of the Week’ and a spotlight on coveted playlists including a previous cover on Spotify’s R&B Weekly playlist and placements on New Music Friday, R&B Rising, Some Kinda Way and Apple Music’s New Music Daily, Pillow Talk, Mood., Smooth and Easy, & Day One playlists. With combined overall streams already in the millions, the official visualizer currently boasts over 200K views via Zae’s YouTube channel. Check out his live performance of the single with premier digital outlet On The Radar HERE.
Forging a path in the R&B world, Zae France makes a promising case as a R&B maven poised for global success. Listen to Rhythm n Backwoods Szn II HERE.
Rhythm n Backwoods Szn II Tracklist
Borrowed Time
Give It Up
Take It All
Whoa ft. DaDa
Get It
What It Do ft. Fridayy