California may be filled with the smog and fumes of a state—and world—on fire, but there is always room for soulful appreciation of loved ones and devotion to better times. Rhye debuts a velvety R&B single titled “Helpless” that pays tribute to that devotion, and within the track’s groove exists all of it. Rhye uses his fine falsettos to evoke a positive outlook driven by the intimacy he shares with his partner Genevieve Medow-Jenkins who also directed the music video streaming below. Rhye offers us a song and theme that are both long-lasting and cooling, reminding us that falling in love is still a cure sought after and that its best delivery method is music. Stream “Helpless” below for music soothing enough to inspire a better outlook. – René Cobar, photo by Emma Marie Jenkinson