Azel RM is an alternative R&B artist/producer from Jakarta, Indonesia and New York City. He started his career in music young, emulating the sounds of 80s synth pop and indie rock. His work from that era saw him gaining a meteoric rise in engagement and recognition, with his single “Broken Love Letter” (2022) being featured in Netflix worldwide film Dear David. Since then, he has evolved to blend the lyrical resonance of Frank Ocean with the raw touch of Dijon and Mk.gee to pave a new sound of alternative R&B. As he’s both a producer and an artist, he draws influence from ambient maestros like Brian Eno to craft an ethereal soundscape that cradle his poignant lyrics. Stemming from journeys of heartbreak and sobriety, his lyrics are as evocative as the innovative production enveloping them. Azel’s most recent project, RASHAAD, pushes this narrative forward and is seeing success with a large increase in streams, social media followers, and fans — seen after selling out his release day concert and consequently performing at legendary NYC venue Sounds of Brazil.

RASHAAD

In April of 2024, Azel released his debut album RASHAAD. The album encapsulates Azel as a form of a character named Rashaad (Azel’s middle name) trying to figure out a life after a failed relationship while struggling with mental health and substance abuse. Azel’s production in RASHAAD is forward thinking, combining layered analog synths, guitars and hip-hop like samples to provide a distinct sound within the R&B landscape. Azel toys with abstract song structures and vocal production on songs like “BACKROOM TALK” and “20”; though he does so in a way that is accessible to both music fans and the general public. Songs like “CALM down pt.1” and “DENIM Currency” provide an uptempo, rock-inspired alternative in contrast to the rest of the album, all with catchy hooks and experimental production. Azel also shows he can still capture the essence of modern R&B in songs like “PATCHWORK LOVE” and “DEAD on Arrival”. The hip-hop influence is seen clearly in the intro track “Middle Name” and “delusional”, both of which include vintage soul samples to add another layer of depth to the album. RASHAAD as a whole encapsulates Azel’s emotional journey well with deep meaning lyricism and an emphasis on conceptual production and structure.