ALBUM REVIEW OF THE DAY | 17 JULY 2026
SHEWITA | CANVAS
Canvas (EP)
SHEWITA
Released 5 June 2026
Edition Records
****-
An eclectic, genre-spanning debut showcasing a stellar new R&B voice fluidly bridging nostalgic soul and modern club-ready electronic production.
Hailing from Eritrea and raised in Nipaluna/Hobart, Shewita is a multidisciplinary artist whose musical identity was forged by 2000s R&B, gospel, and funk while balancing life as a medical student. Influenced by legends like Alicia Keys and Lauryn Hill, her soaring vocal capabilities led her to prominent theatrical stages, starring in landmark Australian productions of Hamilton, Wicked, and MJ The Musical. Backed by independent banner Music In Exile, Shewita steps confidently into the spotlight as a solo force, blending her rich cultural heritage with a relentless desire to push the boundaries of contemporary pop and soul.
Aptly titled,"I wanted it to feel like a blank canvas – a place where I wasn’t limiting myself to one genre" - Canvas serves as a stunningly diverse, six-track introduction where Shewita refuses to be painted into a single stylistic corner. Developed over three years alongside producer Arky Amy, the EP moves fluidly across R&B, '80s synth-funk, and electronic club music. “Canvas is my homage to the genres that are shaping me as an artist - R&B, pop, funk, soul, dance & club. It’s more eclectic than I had originally planned, and for that reason, it feels like a true reflection of how much I want to keep exploring the vastness of music...”, she says on Bandcamp.
The standout opener "Geminii" pairs house-inflected beats with crisp, stacked vocal harmonies, immediately setting a magnetic, self-assured tone. "Navigator" follows, it's outspoken lyrics delivered to a pumped, four-to-the floor beat and searing synth flares. "The atmospheric "Used To It" slows the tempo with a touch of classic blues while"Shatter" and "CINS" serve up classic R&B. Finally, "Too Soon" relies on warm, disco-inspired basslines and neo-soul textures.
Throughout the EP, the project is bound together by Shewita's incredibly rich, gospel-trained voice, which effortlessly anchors the record’s sonic shifts. Canvas beautifully succeeds as an eclectic artistic foundation, showcasing a remarkably versatile vocalist who approaches dance and soul with equal poise, leaving listeners eager to see what colors she will splash onto her musical landscape next.
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