(October 24, 2025) Stepping out in boldness from their inception a decade and a half ago, The Love Experiment earned the respect from their peers for pushing many artistic boundaries. Crediting prolific talents such as D’Angelo and Billie Holiday, this New York based ensemble has collaborated with Bilal, Nicholas Payton and others.
Since their self-titled debut in 2016, LEX has crafted its mesmerizing live and sonic spiced R&B, hip-hop, and jazz soundscapes, tossing doses of drum & bass and chill. During the band’s early years in developing their talents, LEX made a genius move establishing a one-year, monthly art gallery appearances, utilizing the space to illustrate its engaging backdrops. And thanks to the support of the Japanese music media, LEX was signed to the country’s major independent, SWEET SOUL RECORDS, which just released the group’s latest full-length, Velvet.
On our latest First Listen installment, SoulTracks introduces LEX spotlighting a track from Velvet entitled “Round 3.” Long suffering emotions form into a gripping narrative conveyed by Kim Mayo and Syl DuBenion, as they come to terms with the final round of a complex romance aiming for the finish line:
You ask me what I’m doing round three/
Well I plan on coming over/
Take my hand and move it closer/
I ain’t seen you in a minute no.
Hip hop edged soulful swagger surrounds “Round 3,” guided by drummer Charles Burchell and Parker McAllister’s slow, resonating bass filled grooves, subtly decorated by guitarist Andrew Burglass and keyboard drippings and piano riffs, courtesy of Devon Dixon, Jr. While the story is filled with what-happens-next moments, Mayo and DuBenion deliver their emotions with sheer honesty. Check out “Round 3” for a slice of LEX’s future soul world.
By Peggy Oliver
