J. Ludvig III is the moniker of Jonathan Ludvigsen, the Danish musical polymath and tour drummer for postmodern R&B star Erika de Casier. With his new single, “FLAWED ft. Lecx Stacy,” Ludvigsen is on his James Mtume hero’s quest from sideman to producer (if de Casier is his Miles, Lecx Stacy is his Stephanie Mills). The track is a very modern, emo-tinged ballad—in every sense and genre the term encompasses—with some pedal-to-the-metal A. G. Cook/Brakence-esque kitchen sink production. It leans more toward Cook’s electronic R&B palette than the Brakence guitar-focused approach. It’s an interesting but tricky middle ground; it might come off as a little too uptight when compared to the former, but not rockin’ enough when compared to the latter. Its strength is in the conflict that lies in the liminal juicy middle between these poles, where ideally a secret third thing is forged from the colliding of the two.