Hazy West London soul that drifts between slacker rock guitars and smooth R&B. A sun-drenched, genre-fluid soundtrack for urban daydreaming.
Lava La Rue creates music that feels like a warm, slightly overexposed photograph of a London summer. Their sound is a sophisticated collision of eras, blending the laid-back cool of 90s neo-soul with the fuzzy, melodic sensibilities of indie slacker rock. It is music that exists in the spaces between genres, refusing to settle into a single lane while maintaining a consistent atmosphere of effortless, hazy intimacy.
What truly sets them apart is the tactile quality of the production. You can hear the influence of their NiNE8 collective roots in the DIY, bedroom-pop textures, but it is elevated by a sharp ear for psychedelic arrangements and rich vocal stacking. Whether they are rapping with a conversational flow or drifting into a melodic falsetto, there is a distinct sense of queer identity and community woven into the very fabric of the tracks.
For those new to their world, the 'Hi-Fidelity' EP or the 'STARFACE' project are perfect entry points. These works showcase their ability to make a guitar-heavy track feel as soulful as a classic R&B cut. It is the ideal companion for moments of transition, whether you are moving through a city or just moving through a mood.
Aiwa or Ava Laurel, better known by their stage name Lava La Rue, is a British musician and director from West London. They are the founder and creative director of NiNE8 collective.
Shares indie folk, androgynous, neo-soul, dreamy (signature)
Shares androgynous, neo-soul, vocal layering, dreamy (vocal style)
Shares neo-soul, golden hour, contemporary r&b, alternative rock (subgenre)
Shares neo-soul, dreamy, golden hour, contemporary r&b (subgenre)
Shares neo-soul, analog warmth, vocal layering, dreamy (subgenre)
Shares androgynous, neo-soul, vocal layering, dreamy (vocal style)
Shares neo-soul, dreamy, golden hour, contemporary r&b (subgenre)
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