Veteran soul critic Chris Rizik called the lead single "a tasty slice of country-influenced midtempo R&B" and praised Peagler as "a direct, earnest vocalist... possessing a classic soul tone that sounds just right."
"A comfortable entry in a year often filled with musical confusion... Peagler proves himself to be a direct, earnest vocalist, possessing a classic soul tone that sounds just right with the acoustic arrangement."
SoulTracks — one of the most trusted critical voices in contemporary soul music — reserved its First Listen feature for Kenny Peagler's lead single "I Believe," offering the Pittsburgh-born keyboardist and composer one of the most meaningful introductions a soul artist can receive. A First Listen at SoulTracks isn't a routine review; it's a deliberate act of championing an artist the publication believes deserves the wider world's attention.
Reviewer Chris Rizik praised the track as a "tasty slice of country-influenced midtempo R&B" — a love confession built around an acoustic arrangement that gives Peagler's voice room to breathe. And breathe it does. Rizik described that voice as direct and earnest, carrying a classic soul tone that feels both seasoned and immediate, calling it a natural fit for the organic sound Peagler has crafted on his forthcoming album We Are Just Human.
The album itself drew praise for what it refuses to do — no AI enhancements, no digital gloss. Just real performances from real musicians, including Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, and Lakecia Benjamin, shaping the sound in real time. That commitment to humanity in the music is exactly what Rizik responded to, describing the project as a welcome anchor in an era of musical confusion.
That recognition means a great deal. We Are Just Human was built around real performance and human interaction, with live musicians shaping the sound in real time. The album's warmth, intimacy, and sense of breath are part of what make it special. We're grateful to SoulTracks and Chris Rizik for recognizing the heart and sincerity of this record.
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