Toronto R&B artist R. Flex gives us a one way ticket to their free-loving, colorful world with the new EP, FLEX WITH BENEFITS. Creating a safe space where people can gather together to feel good, feel loved and feel desired, R. Flex wrote this release with the intention of building a “queertopia” delivered through otherworldly synths, danceworthy beats and irresistibly catchy lyrics. 

Starting off with the irresistible “Too Late” the track emits a beat reminiscent of Craig David’s “Fill Me In” and Daniel Bedingfield’s “Gotta Get Thru This.” Certain to get you up on your feet, the vibrant track shimmers with a move-inducing rhythm and bold synths which create the most intoxicating atmosphere, as the combined vocals of R. Flex, Tafari Anthony and Desiire deliver a show stopping performance. 

Another track featuring fellow Torontarian is “La La Land.” With a throbbing beat and sensual lyrics, the song showcases the artists’ outstanding vocals, which soar atop the twinkling synths. R. Flex shares, “I brought Tafari Anthony into the fold to do the backing vocals. His buttery vocals blended perfectly with my airier vocals. We sound ethereal together. There’s this Mariah-ish quality I find to it while sounding like something Ariana Grande would make.”

Bringing the six-track EP to a close is “Inhale.” The infectious song channels Toni Braxton and Mariah Carey. The artist reveals, “I actually wrote it 7 months after I had my song “Thursday” critiqued at the Imsta Festa Songwriting Contest in 2018. They basically told me I need to write more like SZA and Frank Ocean by writing more hooks into my songs. So, I thought, you want hooks? I’m going to write so many hooks in this song, you’re gonna feel sick.” 

FLEX WITH BENEFITS is 17 minutes and 58 seconds of pure pop, R&B bliss. By the end, you’ll feel exhausted from having danced the whole way through, but you’ll be on an adrenaline high, with endorphins flowing through your body.