By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Los Angeles, The landscape of contemporary soul is often defined by a tension between the polished expectations of commercial R&B and the raw, uninhibited spirit of the underground. Every so often, a project emerges that manages to dissolve these boundaries entirely, creating a sonic space that feels both avant-garde and deeply familiar. This is the precise territory occupied by The Pleasure Is Yours, a collaborative effort released under the moniker GENA. The project brings together two of the most distinctive voices in modern music: the Los Angeles-based visionary Liv.e and the legendary Detroit drummer and producer Karriem Riggins. The result is a masterclass in creative synergy, where DIY sensibilities meet world-class craftsmanship to produce a record that is as elusive as it is captivating.
To understand the weight of this collaboration, one must first look at the trajectory of Liv.e. Born in Dallas and later finding her creative footing in the fertile ground of the Los Angeles scene, Liv.e first made waves with a series of self-produced EPs on Bandcamp. These early works were characterized by a hazy, lo-fi aesthetic that prioritized mood and texture over traditional song structures. Her 2020 debut album, Couldn’t Wait to Tell You…, and its follow-up, Girl in the Half Pearl, solidified her reputation as an artist who views neo-soul through a kaleidoscopic lens. Her vocal style is famously fluid—a "lopsided" approach to melody that feels like a stream of consciousness caught on tape. She doesn’t just sing lyrics; she weaves them into the production, her voice acting as a rhythmic and atmospheric instrument in its own right.
On the other side of this equation is Karriem Riggins, a figure whose influence on the last three decades of hip-hop and jazz cannot be overstated. A Detroit native, Riggins grew up at the intersection of the city’s rich musical traditions. As a drummer, he has backed jazz royalty; as a producer, he was a key collaborator of the late J Dilla, helping to define the "Detroit sound" that prioritized swing, grit, and soulful sampling. His resume is a testament to his versatility, featuring credits that range from the neo-soul majesty of Erykah Badu to the rock royalty of Paul McCartney. Riggins is a musician’s musician, known for a "rhythmic touch" that is simultaneously precise and incredibly soulful.
When these two worlds collide on The Pleasure Is Yours, the result is a fascinating dialogue between Liv.e’s intuitive, wandering spirit and Riggins’ incisive, grounded production. Throughout the album, Liv.e’s signature hooks provide a sense of continuity. For long-time fans, these moments are the anchors that firmly place the listener within the "Liv.e sound world"—a place where logic is secondary to feeling. However, the presence of Riggins elevates these instincts. His production on this project is arguably some of the most focused work Liv.e has ever voiced. The drums are crisp, the arrangements are purposeful, and there is a newfound breadth to the musicality that suggests a deeper level of compositional exploration.
The album thrives on its contradictions. It is a work of "irreverent experimentation," yet it is frequently interrupted by moments of "aching beauty." One moment, the listener is treated to a track defined by cheeky swagger—the kind of confident, low-slung groove that feels perfectly suited for a late-night drive through the city. The next, the music pivots into a space of "delicate vulnerability," where Liv.e’s vocals drop to a whisper, and the instrumentation strips back to reveal the emotional core of the songwriting. This duality is central to the album’s charm; it refuses to stay in one lane, mirroring the complexities of the human experience.
Riggins’ influence is most palpable in the way the rhythms breathe. While many modern R&B records rely on static, grid-locked loops, the percussion on The Pleasure Is Yours feels alive. There is a "swing" to the beats that only a seasoned drummer could conjure. This provides the perfect playground for Liv.e’s vocals. Because the foundation laid by Riggins is so sturdy, Liv.e is free to drift, to stutter, and to play with timing in ways that might feel chaotic in a less capable producer’s hands. Here, her "loose and intuitive flow" glides over the beats with a grace that feels effortless, even when the underlying structures are complex.
The aesthetic of the album has been described as a "honey-coated dream," a fitting metaphor for its warm, immersive texture. There is a certain analog richness to the sound—a golden-hour glow that permeates the tracks. This isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s an environment. From start to finish, the project feels "totally at ease with its own curious creativity." There is no sense that the artists are trying to chase a trend or fit into a specific playlist niche. Instead, there is a palpable sense of play, a feeling that Riggins and Liv.e were simply following the music wherever it wanted to go.
The collaboration also speaks to a larger movement within the "neo-soul" genre—a term that has often felt too restrictive for the artists it purports to describe. By merging the DIY ethos of the Bandcamp generation with the sophisticated heritage of Detroit’s hip-hop and jazz scenes, The Pleasure Is Yours pushes the genre into more avant-garde territory. It suggests that soul music in the 2020s doesn’t have to choose between being "lo-fi" or "high-fidelity." It can be both. It can be a product of a bedroom studio and a professional tracking room, blending the intimacy of the former with the technical prowess of the latter.
Lyrically, the album explores themes of self-discovery, intimacy, and the quiet moments of reflection that occur when the world slows down. Liv.e has always had a knack for capturing the mundane and making it feel profound, and that talent is on full display here. Her lyrics often feel like overheard snippets of a private conversation, providing a sense of closeness that draws the listener in. When paired with Riggins’ expansive soundscapes, these intimate thoughts take on a cinematic quality.
As the album progresses, the "rhythmic touch" of Riggins continues to surprise. He manages to pull from a vast library of influences—jazz fusion, boom-bap hip-hop, and psychedelic soul—while maintaining a cohesive identity for the GENA project. It is a testament to his skill that he can provide a platform for Liv.e’s unique voice without ever overshadowing it. The two artists operate as equals, a true "joint project" where the sum is greater than its parts.
In the broader context of their respective careers, The Pleasure Is Yours represents a significant milestone. For Karriem Riggins, it is a reminder of his uncanny ability to stay relevant and inspired by the new generation of innovators. For Liv.e, it is a bold step forward, proving that her idiosyncratic style can flourish when paired with a more structured, high-concept production style. It is a record that rewards repeat listens, with new layers of sound and meaning revealing themselves each time the needle drops.
Ultimately, The Pleasure Is Yours is an album that celebrates the joy of creation. It is "at ease" in its own skin, comfortable with its eccentricities and confident in its beauty. In an era where music is often optimized for algorithms, this project stands as a defiant reminder of the power of human connection and artistic intuition. It is a "honey-coated dream" that lingers long after the final note fades, a testament to what happens when two masters of their craft decide to stop worrying about the rules and simply start playing. Whether it’s the "incisive productions" or the "lopsided hooks," every element of this record feels intentional, making it one of the most essential releases in the contemporary landscape of soulful music.