Everything

It’s a common bond, or maybe a not-so-well-kept secret, among music snobs that at the end of the day, when all the buzz bands and “what do you mean you haven’t heard of…” singles are put to bed, we all just want something to dance and sing along to. Nikki & Rich’s Everything is refreshing in that it’s not trying to blow any minds, it’s just trying to make you happy. Nikki Leonti is a pastor’s daughter who grew up listening to gospel, and has a strong set of pipes to prove it, and Rich Velonskis is a New York native who has been spinning R&B and hip-hop since before he was old enough to drive. The two have joined to embrace their love of ’60s doo-wop and gospel-inspired lyric belting, which Velonskis does best on “Yellow Brick Road,” a track that’s all rim shots and R&B head-shaking the likes of which would send Alicia Keys back to the drawing board.