R&B duo THEY. are back, and they mean business with their first single of 2020, the sizzling and soulful “Count Me In.” Best known for their blend of curves and genres, Dante Jones and Andrew Neely go a different direction here, putting away the synths and leaning on acoustic guitar and the raw emotion of their dual vocals.
From the first note, “Count Me In” establishes an intimate, wistful tone, gliding through its 90s R&B-inspired air despite feeling inherently modern. Stripping back the production to build around a commanding acoustic guitar progression, the duo’s harmonies come to the fore. It is a song that chooses to build anticipation by gently knitting in some subtle synthesizers on top of it all until the drums clop in, finally giving you a bit of a gratifying drop.
THEY. explained, this track is the start of something new, as it lays the groundwork for their upcoming album, “The Amanda Tape.” The patience and artistry in “Count Me In” highlight their ability to write music that sticks long. It’s a tone, a sensation, a blast from the past of R&B couched in modern production.
