Kinda Minor, Kinda Brilliant – Helena May Puts the Groove On

Puzzle Pieces Still Falling – Kinda Minor Style

Some artists walk into a second album cycle nervous, adjusting their collars, waiting for a sign. Helena May turns up with Kinda Minor – brass blaring, basslines bouncing, and her voice strutting somewhere between acid jazz and morning espresso.

I still remember when Side Effects landed – we covered it here on Groover City. That one had bounce, colour, and precision. Kinda Minor brings all of that again, but it feels looser somehow. Like she’s already deep in her zone and trusts we’ll follow. This is her second drop from Puzzle Pieces: Side B, and let me say it upfront – there’s nothing minor about it.

It starts with that slinky guitar, then boom – a bassline so round and warm you could roll it down a London hill. Then come the horns, dancing forward like they’ve got something to prove. And Helena? She’s there in the centre, effortless and electric. I had three tabs open, two deadlines, and her groove just cut through like it knew I needed the break.

Feel the Funk — But Watch the Lyrics Too

The production’s polished but cheeky – classic Sheep Hill Studios touch – with Fabian Wollner at the helm, mixing it tight, and Stuart Hawkes mastering with the kind of finesse that makes everything pop in the right direction.

There’s weight in Helena’s words, too. “I made peace with my monsters, broke bread with my demons,” she sings, and if that doesn’t sum up how you survive your thirties, I don’t know what does. The groove lifts, but the lyrics reflect. You catch yourself nodding – not just to the rhythm, but to the mood it leaves behind.

Kinda Minor is playful and human. It’s the sound of someone who’s been through things – and decided to dance about it instead of dragging it around. And that’s the kinda thing I love.

Helena’s Voice Leads the Parade

Let’s talk about that voice. There’s kinda boldness in how she sings, but more than that – control. I didn’t hear runs. I heard choices. Her phrasing is tight, the delivery precise, yet fully alive. By the time I realised I was in, it was already wrapping up. That’s a good sign. And then come the harmonies, layered like a gospel choir stumbled into a Brit-Funk jam. It feels spontaneous — controlled chaos, in the best way.

The final chorus lands, but the groove stays. The brass echoes in your head while you try to get back to whatever serious adult task you were doing before. Good luck with that, because Helena’s career is basically a masterclass in crafting a slow-cooked funk recipe – equal parts acid jazz heritage, technical precision, and sheer joy.

I’ve looped Helena May’s Kinda Minor more times than I planned. It’s got that kind of timing – perfect when the day drags, or when you just need something with pulse and personality. Let it carry you for three minutes and see where you land. That’s what I did. Still doing it, actually.

Follow Helena May on Spotify, Instagram, YouTube – or wherever your mood needs fixing by brass and bounce. You’ll thank yourself later.

Stream Helena May music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud