Kehlani is an archetypal “mindie” artist, the rare performer who can juggle major-label resources and genuine indie cred. That's because the boundary-nudging R&B singer is a master of contrasts, the sort of urban star who can spit dis-rap fire over a trap beat yet still act as a breathy alt-R&B proxy for Harley Quinn's lust for depravity. Both fierce and vulnerable, Kehlani is capable of making pastels tough—and their airy lilt connects just as easily with a damp downtempo ballad from boy-band alum ZAYN as with an electro-wub tête-à-tête with hip-hop innovator Chance the Rapper.