This one's for the music lovers.  I recently became aware of an R&B duo who call themselves Emotional Oranges. The first song I was exposed to was "Just Like You" and it was on my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify.  I ended up going to their Spotify profile and checking out some of their other songs and instantly became obsessed. 

The origins of Emotional Oranges

The duo has kept their full names private and prefer to go by the pseudonyms of "A" and "V."  Emotional Oranges was formed in Los Angeles in 2017 when "A," then a musical engineer for Drake, and V, a vocal coach for Adele, met at a Bat Mitzvah.  "V" was actually dating A's best friend at the time.  They put out their first single "Motion" on Soundcloud which ended up becoming the theme song to RuPaul's Drag Race in 2018.  As for their name, "A" stated in an interview that he had gotten really high, was contemplating life and went skydiving and that "emotional oranges" just popped into his brain. 

In the time of social media where you know anything and everything about everyone, Emotional Oranges has been the exception.  They tend to disguise themselves out in public and even in their cover art.  While they prefer to stay as anonymous as possible, at some point in their shows, they reveal themselves.  Throughout their show they usually hide themselves with good lighting that shows their silhouettes or use heavy fog.  But at one point, they will turn on all the lights and lift the veil to reveal themselves.  After the response some of their fans had about how their music helped them in their lives, they decided they had to show themselves in order to really connect with the them.  "A" stated in an interview with Billboard magazine that they wanted their identities to be about their music, art and engagement with fans and not what they look like and their names. 

 Getting to know Emotional Oranges

All about "V"

Let's get to know "V."  She's the female counterpart of the duo and was a vocal coach for Adele.  She grew up in New York City and attended LaGuardia high school where most A-list celebrities attended as well.  We're talking the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Azalea Banks, just to name a few.  "V's" mother is Russian and her father is Black.  Her father was a classical music composer who attended Julliard and her mother was a ballerina.  "V" also has a background in dancing and at one point was actually a background dancer; she doesn't say for whom though in the interview.   Growing up, her parents played classical musical 24/7.  She's stated that her taste in music is very eclectic.  Despite their growing fame, "V" is still working as a bartender as well as pursuing her dreams with Emotional Oranges. 

All about "A"

"A" grew up in California to "forward-thinking" immigrant parents from Iran.  Unlike "V's" parents, "A's" parents weren't very musically inclined.  They were artists in their own right but not musically.  "A's" dad was a talented writer and his mom an artist who would take him to paint classes and do a piano course.  He grew up on East coast rap and West coast funk.  Kanye, Nas and even classical music were the types of music he would listen to growing up.     

Who and what inspired Emotional Oranges?

Both members grew up loving music and are greatly influenced by 90's R&B.  Sade and Lauryn Hill are two artists they grew up listening to that influenced and inspired the type of music they wanted to put out.  Their new album The Juicebox features many artists that A and V are both fans of like Kiana Lede, Becky G and Biig Piig to name a few.  In an interview with Hotcelebon.com, A stated that "when people listen to our music they often question if it’s dance, hip hop, pop or R&B, but it’s really just a blend of all of the musical influences that we grew up on." They wanted to show their fans who they were inspired by in this album.  The collaboration with someone on each song was something that was very much intentional.  While heavily influenced by 90's R&B and artists of that time, their Gen Z fan base like to draw parallels to The Weeknd, Kehlani and anonymous-duo Daft Punk.  A few artists the duo would love to collaborate with are The 1975 (personal favorite!), Mos Def, Ari Lennox and Harry Styles.

The Juice: Vol. I

This album really delves into relationships and perspectives from both sides.  They do this in a very storytelling way.  A conversation between man and woman that both sexes can enjoy.  

Motion

The first track on this album and the one that became the theme song to RuPaul's Drag Race show. This was their debut single. A nod your head and make you want to dance type of vibe. Quite sensual as well.

Personal

The second song on this album about a relatively new relationship, three months is the timeline stated, where one partner in the relationship provokes the other with little jabs that makes the other person angry and take everything said personally. "I like to push her buttons, it gets her tight. I say something slick like 'Maybe I ain't your type.'"  Another song with groovy nod-your-head beats.  

Hold You Back

This song is about a man who's partner has left him for another woman.  He talks about the differences in affection that he can give her as opposed to the woman she's left him for. "You got to know, that she won't love you back. That she won't love you back like I can."  Unfortunately, his girlfriend has expressed that she's over him and has found love with the other woman. "I got my own thing, I said, bae.  Ima be fine without you, don't you worry."  According to Genius lyrics, this is an "interpolation of the chorus Kelis sung on Ol' Dirty Bastards song 'Got Your Money.'"

Someone Else

A song about someone being unhappy in a relationship and telling their partner that if they want to be with someone else or find someone else, then they should do it.  They don't want to waste their time.  

Good to Me

This track tackles the topic of infidelity.  "She caught me f***ing, I'm way too open. Lesson learned, I be taking notice, yeah."

Built That Way

This track is about being able to be completely open and honest with your partner no matter what.  Even if it hurts, you can be honest with them. They can handle it.  "So give it to me straight. Just give it to me babe. I'll handle it, you know I'm built that way."

Unless You're Drowning

"Don't hit me up unless you're drowning."  Arguably the most notable lyric in this song about what seems to be an ex.  Their ex didn't want them, claimed they weren't "the one" and they don't want them calling or texting them unless they're drowning.  They no longer care what this person is doing or who they're doing it with. 

Corners of My Mind

Definitely my favorite track off this album.  It deals with a past relationship with someone who you always thought would be in your life but the relationship has come to an end and you've erased them from your life, as one of the lyrics expresses.  It's something that's very sad but a kind of, "it is what it is" situation.  "Our love ain't one to follow.  Our love won't see tomorrow.  I only dream about us, without us."   

The duo came out with The Juice: Vol. II and The Juicebox.  I won't be delving into those two albums but they are definitely worth listening to.  The duo seems to get better with each album.  Since discovering them on Spotify I have become a huge fan.  They will be starting their tour in September through November 2nd.  I've already secured my tickets for their Georgia concert and to say I'm excited would be an understatement!  If you haven't listened to them, do yourself a favor and check them out.  You won't be disappointed!