Just one year ago, we got the debut EP from Nottingham soul singer Yazmin Lacey. In that short time, she’s been garnering a bit of attention around the UK. Now that she’s come back with a second EP, When The Sun Dips 90 Degrees, this time on First Word Records, you can see what the buzz is all about.

As the EP opens with “90 Degrees,” it becomes immediately apparent what Lacey is all about, at least on the surface. There is some jazzy neo-soul being laid down by collaborator Pete Beardsworth and band, who cook up some really tight grooves over the course of five songs. This is all great, but what makes this EP stand apart from the crowd is all Lacey, and it becomes more and more clear the more time you spend with her music. For one, she’s got this incredible warm tone to her voice that just invites you in to listen closer to the music. Secondly, she has a great feel for melody as she sings, which is especially important since she’s not writing pop songs with big hooks, but she’s still able to make it so that you remember each song as you work your way through the EP. Finally, and most importantly, she’s got a way with words. When the music first kicks in, you might have a general idea about how the music will sound, and if you’re like me, you’re also going to assume that these neo-soul songs are going to be about romantic relationships. While Lacey doesn’t avoid the topic entirely, she goes much further and beyond with her lyricism. The opening song, “90 Degrees,” is a song about selfcare, as Lacey about the time of day when decide to take time for yourself and create something that you care about. As the EP continues, we get to know Lacey further as she becomes very candid in her lyricism, as she intimately describes the difficulty of making a relationship work, finding peace and love abroad in the world, religion, and selfcare. The combination of Lacey’s gentle delivery as she sings and this intimate, honest, and hopeful lyricism makes for a really moving listening experience.

When The Sun Dips 90 Degrees might not hit you right away, but it will slowly draw you in and reveal to you that this isn’t “just” another neo-soul release. Lacey has a way with words and melody that cuts right through the music and feels like she’s talking directly to you. I can’t wait to see where she goes from here.