Emerging R&B Singer-songwriter Lauren Dukes released her self-titled debut EP, out today. For years Lauren Dukes has made a name for showcasing her talent for performing throughout the local Chicago scene. Her self-titled debut EP is a welcome calling card to an artist ready to breakthrough. Along with the EP, Lauren releases her latest live session video for L Boogie.

Lauren Dukes EP encompasses a blend of blues, soul, jazz and R&B with Faith as the foundation that brings it all together. Each song keeps a common threat of story-telling using real experiences that we can all relate to. The lead single “Hectic Love Week” tells a story about an unstable relationship, without straight glorifying toxicity. “Closure” is a song with many applications, however, at its core the piece is about wanting what we may not be able to have again & having to accept whatever that answer is in the end. Dukes explains her writing process,

“Much of what I write starts off by asking (God, the universe, then myself) “What is the message You want me to deliver? Then, I ask, “What do I want to express?””

The production behind the project is propelled by Lauren Dukes’ band, a talented cast of musicians including Nic Byrd (Guitar), Andy Sutton (drums & producer), Ola Timothy (Bass), Kris Lohn (Bass), Moses Hall (Keys), Latavius Mulvac (on Keys), Aiden Dehn (Sax), Shawn Maxwell (Sax), Shaun Martin of Snarky Puppy (Keys), Marques Carroll (Trumpet), Kirk Garrison (Trumpet), & Nicole Garza (background vocals).

The EP demonstrates Dukes’ commitment to her craft. She concludes, “Everything I do is with my whole heart. It is my passion. My ministry. I want everyone to walk away from listening feeling better than the way they came. Music has the power to do that, and I’m honored to get this opportunity to hopefully contribute.”

Stream Lauren Dukes EP: https://open.spotify.com/album/218fQOVDUP1LwtTc5chCmH?si=RJ3yWRJbRgmG8ViI2R9i6Q&dl_branch=1

Hectic Love Week Live Session: https://youtu.be/8HNh-U7FeZg

Closure Live Session: https://youtu.be/CLwlPA15R_k