Alt-R&B’s RICEWINE Nails the Vibe on ‘Lovesick’
RICEWINE's uneven yet generous third LP, Lovesick, perfects an infectious and consistent sound, allowing the groove to propel the album forward.
alternative r&b
Orion Sun’s Debut ‘Hold Space for Me’ Showcases Her Intimate Voice
Hold Space for Me, the debut album from Orion Sun, is an accomplished blend of soul and R&B, with a little hip-hop thrown in as well.
Pop/R&B’s Eloise Viola Serves Up a Gem with “What You Gunna Do” (premiere)
London alternative R&B artist Eloise Viola offers up another sleek, pop/R&B gem with an added sense of resilience. Hear her new single, "What You Gunna Do".
Jordan Rakei Breathes New Life Into Soul Music
Jordan Rakei is a restless artistic spirit who brings R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and pop craft into his sumptuous, warm music. Rakei discusses his latest album and new music he's working on that will sound completely different from everything he's done so far.
The Weeknd – “In Your Eyes” (Singles Going Steady)
With "In Your Eyes", Toronto's premier Michael Jackson cosplayer, the Weeknd, has advanced his visual brand while parking his music in the summer of 1984.
The Weeknd Gets Lost in Vegas on ‘After Hours’
Despite After Hours' infectious blend of '80s synthpop and dark, alternative R&B, the story's beginning to get old on the Weeknd's fourth studio album.
The Weeknd’s ‘After Hours’ Sets Cinematic Vignettes of Hollywood and Las Vegas Nights
The Weeknd's After Hours naturally weaves together cinematic vignettes of debauched Hollywood and Las Vegas nights, following a new filmic tie to Uncut Gems and a prior decade of character building.
The Seshen Are “Faster Than Before” on New Single (premiere)
Electrosoul group the Seshen's "Faster Than Before" offers psychological depths over sensational electronic sonics.
SZA and Justin Timberlake – “The Other Side” (Singles Going Steady)
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell re-imagined for 2020. SZA does most of the heavy lifting here, while Justin Timberlake busts a selection of moves in a charmingly self-deprecating way.
The Seshen Return Feeling Kind of ‘Cyan’
San Francisco alt-R&B/electropop group, the Seshen tie musical and emotional threads together beautifully on Cyan.
British Producer Mura Masa Gets Experimental and Nostalgic on ‘RYC’
Mura Masa's RYC turns towards nostalgia and ends up stunting the promise of his previous work, although it shows a willingness to experiment that proves the producer is still one to watch.
The 15 Best R&B/Soul Albums of 2019
The year in R&B and soul brought brilliant returns from music legends alongside artists pushing the boundaries of R&B past any limits. It's a genre where retro and futurism nestle cozily side by side. Here are the 15 best.