London R&B Singer's Retro-Infused Mixtape Blends Past and Present Sounds

In the past few years, London-based R&B singer George Riley has emerged as one of the UK's most exciting new voices. Her new mixtape, "More Is More," released in September 2025, is a shiny, upbeat, and slightly irreverent exploration of early 2000s pop sounds.

The 28-year-old artist shuffles through a diverse array of retro influences, marrying the bubblegum pop of the early 2000s with UK garage and dance elements. Riley's rich vocals and radio-ready choruses are complemented by a dancefloor-oriented edge, creating a sound that pays homage to the work of producers like Dallas Austin, Darkchild, Jermaine Dupri, and Timbaland.

Tracks like "Something New" and "Forever" borrow heavily from the era, with the former channeling the tropical beats and skittering hi-hats of Janet Jackson's "Someone to Call My Lover," while the latter twists the hypnotic synth pulse of Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head" into a beachy love song. Throughout the mixtape, Riley's performances supply the vitality and wit that have quickly become her trademark.

"More Is More" is a bold, grand, and musically tighter effort than anything Riley has released thus far, solidifying her status as a critical darling and fan favorite within the UK's thriving R&B scene.