Natanya Feline’s Return review: post-Destiny’s Child songs with a fresh twist

The London singer is on the brink of something bigger.

London singer Natanya is only three EPs deep into her career but she’s already amassed an impressive list of fans: Doechii (who shared Natanya’s song “Dangerous” to Instagram); Janet Jackson (who reposted a cover from the Brit), PinkPantheress (another shoutout), Ravyn Lenae, RAYE, Destin Conrad — the list goes on. Fan accounts for her have bubbled up on X. And she just wrapped an opening slot with Mereba on tour. The stars seem to be aligning for the young starlet whose signature cat-eye is the only thing more captivating than her sound — and it’s not hard to see why.

Natanya’s makes rich, alt-pop by way of R&B, neo-soul, and dance music. In June she released Feline’s Return, a sumptuous tasting of post-Destiny’s Child songs that lean into spacey, low-end synths and her powerful vocals. (Standout “Guitar” is pure bratty, sass.) She’s followed that up with Feline’s Return Act II, a sequel that, if the original was for bumping after the sun’s gone down, is for once dawn has arrived, songs to accompany you home after the club. Highlight “Jezebel” is a cool wash of guitar that feels directly in communication with Erykah Badu. “Meeting You Once (The End)” is Jersey Club for a sunrise breakfast with a friend while sitting on the curb. I love “Ur Fool,” which features FADER label signee Unflirt, and is the sweetest soft indie pop.

The 23-year-old produces on all of her music, and was formally trained in classical piano — and took home a “Music Artist to Watch” award in 2023, which is impressive. To me, she checks off every box that a singer who’s on the brink of something bigger needs to possess today: a sound that glides through genres, a spirit that can be felt viscerally through the music, and a vibe that feels simultaneously nostalgic and new. I will be surprised if she’s not headlining her own tour by the top of next year, so get on early while you still can.