A New Six-Song EP from Duval Soul/Hip-Hop Collective L.O.V.E. Culture Maintains Their Vibrational Pull

Image
The latest addition to a series of EP's that began in 2019, L.O.V.E. Culture's 'Vol. 3' represents a savvy progression in the group's sound | Courtesy of the artist (cropped)

Since 2019’s Vol. 1, the first in a series of EP’s that culminated in the January 2024 release of Vol. 3, Duval hip-hop collective L.O.V.E. Culture has made it evident that, while they were fully capable of creating dancefloor-ready songs, they were aiming for a higher aspect through lyricism, instrumentation and sonic production.

While collectively the six-songs on Vol. 3 represent a clear progression in sound, the second track “And Believe” is a savvy evolution of the group — made up of — Che Forreign, Rob Mari, Flash the Samurai, Spirit XIII and EASYin2D — and its forward-looking approach. Beginning with a beat embedded within synth washes and Che’s echo-wrapped vocals, a subsonic bass thrum and spatial keyboard chords move “And Believe” into a liquid groove. Call-and-response group vocals rise and fall, and when Che sings, “Life is short / so let’s just face it now,” it plays like an affirmation of potential rather than resignation, as the song fades out into a sparse resolve.

Vol. 3 is out now on all streaming platforms. Listen here.


Bonus: Watch L.O.V.E. Culture perform on the WJCT Soundstage and sit for an interview with WJCT arts and culture editor Matt Shaw.

In this article:


Learn how you can sponsor the Jacksonville Music Experience.

JME Live Music Calendar

The Bunny The Bear
The Bunny The Bear
with Dancing With Ghosts, Kill Tactik and Monday Afternoon
Jack Rabbits
Thu. 01/30 @ 7:00 PM
Danielle Todd and Grady James
Danielle Todd and Grady James
Blue Jay Listening Room
Thu. 01/30 @ 8:00 PM
House of Hamill
House of Hamill
Cafe Eleven
Thu. 01/30 @ 8:00 PM
Vitamin String Quartet
Vitamin String Quartet
The Florida Theatre
Thu. 01/30 @ 8:00 PM
Arkansauce
Arkansauce
with Firewater Tent Revival
Intuition Ale Works
Fri. 01/31 @ 7:00 PM
Albert Castiglia
Albert Castiglia
Cafe Eleven
Fri. 01/31 @ 8:00 PM
Herd the Cat
Herd the Cat
with DigDog and The Portrait
Jack Rabbits
Fri. 01/31 @ 8:00 PM
Kaskade
Kaskade
Decca Live Grand Opening
Decca Live
Fri. 01/31 @ 10:00 PM
Rock the Dock Music and Beer Festival
Rock the Dock Music and Beer Festival
with Inspection 12, Idle Acres, Ticker Tapeworm Parade, Friendly Fire, Tides and more
Grace Note Brewing
Sat. 02/1 @ 1:00 PM
Omni
Omni
w/ La Sécurité and Ducats
The Jessie
Sat. 02/1 @ 4:00 PM

Want more live music? We got you…