Blooming in time: The developing sounds of Wave’N’Dave, By Aramide Olorunyomi

Their shared roots in the church community form a strong undercurrent in their music, both spiritually and sonically. Their background informs a message of faith and introspection, resonant in tracks like “Full Bloom,” and which grapples with the quiet fight for inner peace when circumstances feel unjust. Another highlight, “Let It Breathe,” featuring the exquisite vocalist, Elmarie, demonstrates how fully the pair’s collaborative dynamic thrives. Her airy harmonies weave seamlessly with Dave’s vocals in the bridge, making the track a clear triumph.

The UK’s role in cultivating exciting musical talent remains unquestioned. This year alone has brought acclaimed releases from standout artists such as Little Simz and PinkPantheress — both of whom bring a vibrant dash of soul, even while navigating pop sensibilities. With such a wealth of talent, naming every notable act would be a monumental task. Still, one emerging duo demanding attention this year is the collaborative project between producer WayV Walks and rapper/singer Davecreates — together known simply as Wave’N’Dave.

The pair have been steadily amplifying their presence throughout the year. In addition to releasing their debut EP, Give It Time, on 12 May, they hosted an intimate listening party in London in collaboration with the Rules of Third podcast. There, they not only shared their music with a grateful community but also offered thoughtful insights into their creative partnership.

All of this built momentum for the 20 June release of their debut album, Wave’N’Dave Vol. 1 — a body of work that stands as both one of the year’s most comforting offerings and a testament to the vibrant synergy between the duo. As they describe it on their website, the album is “a Neo-soul meets Hip-Hop sensory experience.”

While Vol. 1 is their first full-length project, their collaboration dates back to 2021, with tracks like “R U Down,” “Smoke,” and “Way it Goes.” Their shared spark also shines through individual works. WayV Walks released a collaborative EP, Full Circle, in 2024, featuring the gifted vocalist, Temi Christina. Its penultimate track, “Being Yours,” also brought in Davecreates, exemplifying their ongoing musical rapport.

Dave’s solo journey began in 2019 with his debut album, One Day I’ll Fly, a project rich with inner-city reflections and a spiritual yearning that has matured through subsequent releases — Ascension in 2020, Amor in 2022, and Different Days in 2023, a collaboration with fellow rapper/singer, Simieon and the Exp. Share label. Across these works, both artists have built a repertoire that culminates in the deep, layered sound of their debut album together.

Their shared roots in the church community form a strong undercurrent in their music, both spiritually and sonically. Their background informs a message of faith and introspection, resonant in tracks like “Full Bloom,” and which grapples with the quiet fight for inner peace when circumstances feel unjust. Another highlight, “Let It Breathe,” featuring the exquisite vocalist, Elmarie, demonstrates how fully the pair’s collaborative dynamic thrives. Her airy harmonies weave seamlessly with Dave’s vocals in the bridge, making the track a clear triumph.

It’s a stirring example of how soul and spiritual grounding enrich their individual and collective artistry.

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By the time Vol. 1 reaches its reflective penultimate track “Give It Time,” followed by “WayV’s Outro,” one thing becomes clear — true to Dave’s comments, this is just the beginning. Their evolution is steadily unfolding, and the wisest thing any listener can do now is, just as the title suggests, give it time.

Wave’N’Dave’s album is available on all major DSP platforms, as well as on their website https://wavendave.com/

Aramide Olorunyomi is a writer and videographer.