An immensely skilled songstress from the Bay Area, Joyo Velarde has been putting in work for years, collaborating extensively with the Quannum collective and touring the world with Lyrics Born. She blessed listeners with the tropical single "Sweet Angels" in 2001, and many heads have been patiently waiting for her long delayed debut album. This five-song EP is itself a teaser for the full-length Love & Understanding, running through a gamut of styles and influences, all the while maintaining Velarde's own unique sound. Her multi-octive range recalls both Minnie and Mariah, but she also incorporates jazz, blues, prog-rock, and even opera into her unique soundscapes. "Build This World" sports trippy keyboards and dreamy but strong vocals, while "Take You Home" is a feel-good club joint about losing yourself to the music, with whip-smart funk instrumentation and inspirational lyrics that speak to the stressed out masses. "The Way We Are" is a breezy celebration of true love and "Feels Right" blends autobiographical verses with a minimal but ferociously rugged beat.