Cargo G – “Pressure” (EP Review)

Cargo G’s new EP Pressure, out July 25th, is an intimate, soul-soaked journey through love, identity, and the weight of simply existing. Rooted in neo-soul and acoustic textures, the project introduces a promising RnB voice with an emotional clarity that’s both disarming and deeply comforting. Drawing inspiration from artists like Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, and Clairo, Cargo G threads together raw emotion, poetic honesty, and a fresh modern softness that feels at once familiar and completely her own.

The opening track, Holy, sets the tone immediately with smooth, dreamy guitar work that nods to her soul and acoustic roots. Her voice slides in like butter, warm, tender, and sincere. There’s an emotional looseness in her delivery that’s captivating. As she moves through lines like “I need nothing more than good therapy” and “Living’s hard for me,” the lyrics spill over one another with a relaxed, effortless rhyme. In moments, her singing shifts into almost a talk-rap cadence that’s unexpectedly effective, adding texture and intimacy. It’s a technique that feels honest and unguarded, something she could absolutely lean into more in future releases. The background harmonies float just above her lead vocals, adding a soft, ethereal quality that gives shades of Dominic Fike without losing her unique imprint.

Pressure (Interlude) catches you off guard in the best way. You might expect a throwaway instrumental, but instead you get a delicate guitar-led moment with understated but affecting vocals. It’s a song about transformation, disconnection, and finding footing again. The line “I may come off too strong” feels confessional, almost whispered, and when she ends some phrases like she’s running out of breath, it only adds to the vulnerability. It’s a small track that feels big in meaning, a beautiful pause that lets the listener breathe while deepening the emotional world of the EP. Lines like “I’m in my zone” and the tongue-in-cheek “Don’t hate the player, hate the game” balance light swagger with existential weariness, all while keeping the vibe cool and unbothered.

Hippies comes in with a confident bassline and a head-nod-worthy drum groove. It’s arguably the most playful track on the EP but no less personal. She throws out clever lines like “I’m 21 and I have back pains,” which she repeats to great effect, it’s funny, but also weirdly poignant. There’s a particularly charming moment when a guy bets she doesn’t know his favorite song, and she deadpans agreement before letting out a quiet chuckle. These small moments are where Cargo G shines: the in-between beats of real life and unfiltered thought. The tone shift midway through the song is surprising but somehow seamless, proving she’s not afraid to take risks with structure and pacing. “I’m not selfish, but I’ve been greedy” is delivered with equal parts confession and shrug, making you feel like you’re eavesdropping on her inner monologue. The song’s abrupt ending might divide listeners; it’s jarring at first, but it could also be read as deliberate, a sonic “enough” that mirrors the lyrics’ theme of personal boundaries and wanting privacy.

SCORE/ Outstanding – Pressure as a whole feels like sitting down with someone at 2 a.m. who’s finally ready to talk. There’s a palpable sense of reflection, growth, and unresolved emotion flowing beneath every track. Cargo G isn’t here to overproduce or dazzle with complexity; she invites you into her world quietly, but purposefully. Her voice is full of subtle power, and her songwriting doesn’t need to shout to be heard. With this debut, she’s carved out a space for herself in the indie RnB landscape that feels honest, vulnerable, and full of promise.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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