Sonder

Sonder is an R&B collective formed in 2016, made up of vocalist Brent Faiyaz and producers Atu and Dpat. Faiyaz had already drawn attention for his feature on GoldLink's «Crew», and Sonder became the vehicle where his hazy, emotionally raw voice met Atu and Dpat's minimalist, atmospheric production.

The trio built a devoted following through a rapid string of mixtapes released in late 2016 — «Victoria», «Undone», and «Sheath» — each defined by looped, blurry vocal harmonies, sparse low-end beats, and unusually long, continuous track lengths. This run established their signature sound: intimate, nocturnal R&B that felt more like a mood piece than a collection of singles.

In 2017 the group refined its approach with the «Into» EP, trading some of the earlier haze for tighter, more direct songs indebted to late-'90s R&B production, echoing artists like Timbaland and Ginuwine. Songs such as «Too Fast», «Feel», and «Lovely» showcase this blend of vintage groove and modern minimalism, cementing Sonder's place in the alternative R&B wave alongside Faiyaz's own solo rise.