Valerie Omari’s debut EP Therefore I Am finds the Congolese neo-soul singer-songwriter riding the crest of the wave of fresh South African R&B. Released independently with help from co-producer Chvna, this quintessential coming-of-age collection fuses new-school style with a classic sensibility. She navigates that time-old motif of love, whether it’s fortune found (“Solace” and “SLS (Summer Love Season)”) or ultimately lost (“Chapter 19”, “Autumn Falling”). With a penchant for profound narratives and a clear contemporary sound, Omari’s debut is raw and ready for the audience’s enjoyment.