What sets apart one R&B goddess from another? Smooth beats, a sensual voice, a mastery of soul inflections, lyrical catharsis, refined production, Sheri Nowrozi aka Snoh Aalegra perfectly masters all the expected and required codes for such a highly competitive musical genre. What then distinguishes this L.A.-based Swede from her contemporaries? An unindulgent listener might view this second album entitled -Ugh, Those Feels Again as just another risk-free and unoriginal R&B record. Those who fell for the charm of Feels, her first album released in 2017 featuring artists such as Logic, Vic Mensa, Vince Staples and Timbuktu, know well that Aalegra art is more insidious and profound than it initially appears…Indeed, the soul sister has had plenty of time to perfect her sound. Signed in 2001 by Sony at the young age of 13 under the name Sheri, the artist was quickly spotted and picked up by a certain Prince. The following years helped her to come to terms with the sounds of her musical idols such as Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu and Sade. She then went on to develop her own style which premiered on Feels and was further developed on this -Ugh, Those Feels Again, produced by No I.D., a five-star heavyweight of contemporary hip-hop and R&B. The album, centered around a recent break-up, mixes classic formulas with which Snoh Aalegra displays an intriguing, dazzling maturity. And when she lets out more daring, cheeky inflections à la Amy Winehouse (Find Someone Like You), her classy integrity remains intact. © Marc Zisman/Qobuz