Emotional Oranges is a male-female duo that leans into sexy harmonies and lyrical overlays that swing back and forth between genders. They’re kind of like The XX in this way, but have more bounce. They hang out around the genre of progressive R&B, often role-playing rhyming spats between lovers, with a hint of electronica. Known affectionately by their fans as “A” and “V”, these two know how to lay down groovey tracks with lyrics that melt off the tongue like honey butter.
Without ever producing a studio album, Emotional Oranges has gone on four world tours, released six years of mixtapes, and featured major artists on their tracks, including Biig Piig, Channel Tres, and ZHU… this all without ever producing a studio album. That all changed in May of 2025 with the release of their first one, Orenjii.
The name of the album seems to be a nod to their love of urban Asian style. Their teaser track released before the album, “Call It Off”, features South Korean Singer JAEHYUN, and the cover art for the track features an illustration of Seoul at night. The song has a smooth flow of exchanges between A and V. The album Orenjii is the Romanji spelling of the Korean and Japanese words for Orange. It all plays well.
The album has the feel of an updated version of 90s hip-hop. Emotional Oranges pulls sultry vocalists on several of their songs to give the album a nice variety of energies. A few weeks on Spotify reveal “CANDY GUM” (feat. Jessie Reyez & Becky G) and “HOT OUTSIDE” (feat. Anycia) as crowd favorites.
“CANDY GUM” opens with a thick bass guitar riff that feels akin to the Franc Moody remix of Amber Mark‘s “Lose My Cool.” This track sets the mood for the album with fresh rhymes and bright moans from a variety of voices. “HOT OUTSIDE” emphasizes Anycia’s deep sultry vocals which A comes to match later in the song. At the same time, V threads the peace together with her enchanting melodies.
The final track on the album, “Out the Blue” provides the signature sign-off for this premiere work of artistry. The opening word, “Vibin”, really captures the essence and feeling that Emotional Oranges has created with this album. A really turns up his vocal chops with some beautiful extended notes and atmospheric vocal effects. It seals Orenjii with a kiss.
If you’ve been sleeping on this band, wake up! Emotional Oranges will be going on an American tour this autumn, performing with a live band. Get tickets while you can and hear the album here.
The Indy Review 