This song is part of our “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist. Check out the full list.
Something about the summertime and nostalgia goes hand-in-hand. On Tori Kelly’s aptly titled “missin u,” she throws us back in time to that irresistible late 90s/early 00s R&B sound. There are notes of influence from turn-of-the-century R&B by acts like Aaliyah, JoJo, Usher, and Mariah Carey. Your nostalgia radar will go off non-stop, but you’ll never quite place it. Kelly makes the sound her own by showcasing her ability to switch seamlessly from quick-tongued verses to a sing-along-ready hook and soaring bridge. Unfortunately, the track failed to make an impact on the charts; perhaps it’s too nostalgic.
Watch the “missin u” video, stream it or get some Tori Kelly vinyl.
In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.