Rated R&B is bringing you the most essential releases this week. From the traditional R&B that purists love to the boundary-pushing sounds of the alt-R&B scene, this new music roundup keeps its pulse on the essence of R&B. Dive into it below.
Chris Brown – “Obvious”
As Chris Brown gears up to release his 12th album, BROWN, in May, the R&B star has unveiled his latest track “Obvious.” It’s the follow-up to his No. 1 hit “It Depends” with Bryson Tiller.
Isaia Huron – Mr. Lovebomb [album]
Rising R&B singer, songwriter and producer Isaia Huron has dropped his second album, Mr. Lovebomb. The 10-track concept album is his first release since signing to RCA Records.
Kehlani feat. Missy Elliott – “Back and Forth”
Kehlani’s new single “Back and Forth” features a legendary co-stamp from Missy Elliott, who brings her delicious raps to the no-nonsense anthem. It’s the last preview from her self-titled album that drops April 24.
Casper Sage – Change Your Mind
On “Change Your Mind,” alt-R&B singer Casper Sage doesn’t know if he’s falling or flying after a breakup. Yet, amid the emotional haze, he remains open to rekindling the fire if the time ever comes. “Give me room to go and fly, I’ll give you room to change your mind / If you want to, you’ll always be a guest of mine,” he sings.
Kenyon Dixon – “Talk You Through It”
Kenyon Dixon is bringing sexy back with “Talk You Through It,” a bedroom-ready jam that promises words of encouragement during the most intense moments of pleasure. “You like when I give direction right? / So lay back, relax, let me be your guide,” he croons.
Destin Conrad – wHIMSY! Deluxe [album]
Destin Conrad has expanded his alt-jazz album with a deluxe edition. “Diamond Gold,” an instant standout, glimmers with confidence and groove. Meanwhile, “Go Home” depicts a night of too much fun, in which he finds himself lost without his keys or phone. Conrad tells Rated R&B, “wHIMSY! picks up where the original left off, just with more movement and more play. It’s me leaning further into how jazz and R&B speak to each other.”
Jazyln Martin – “Goodbye”
Jazyln Martin bids a farewell to an ex on her bittersweet ballad “Goodbye.” Over an acoustic backdrop, accentuated with a Latin-tinged groove, she sings: “Say goodbye, my friend / Last time you won, but I am done.” Regarding the track she shares, “We’ve all sworn off love at some point, trying to cast it out only to find it pulling us back in. This song is a declaration to love itself: you’ve lost another one. It’s about the resilience found in letting go.”
Debbie, Victor Ray – “House of Cards”
British singers Debbie and Victor Ray link up for “House of Cards,” an acoustic-led duet about loving someone intently and tenderly. Of the ballad, Debbie said, “The song is talking about being careful with how you place your love down… a narrative I didn’t even know I needed to express but I’m glad we did. Hopefully, our listeners can relate to the message of being loved with care.”
TheARTI$t – DND [album]
TheARTI$T’s new project, DND, makes for a late-night listening session. It’s smooth and passionate (“I Need You”), yet can get turbulent at times (“Why?”). “DND lives in the space between presence and disappearance: what we choose to silence, and who that silence allows us to become,” she explained. “The project leans into that idea, creating a balance between vulnerability, confidence, and self-awareness.”
Momo Boyd – “Oops”
Momo Boyd, a member of the soft-rock sibling group Infinity Song, makes her debut as a soloist with her EP, Miss Michigan. Among the project’s seven tracks is the R&B-leaning “Oops,” produced by Khris Riddick-Tynes and Ashton “SNW” Northful. It’s a smooth bop that’s quirky — even though she’s singing about not unintentionally leading someone on. “Oops, I swear I meant to call back / Oops, I never meant to break your heart,” she sings.
Noah Guy – MEMORIA, in blue [album]
On MEMORIA, in blue, Noah Guy swims through the tides of grief as he embraces the ups and downs in the process. If you’re looking for an entry point, “Green Vows” will have you ready for more. Of his project, Noah stated, “Loss can make erasure feel like mercy; wiping away all the memories, the patterns, the moments that once gave a relationship its true form and color. “This record was a lesson in putting feeling first, letting my instincts and intuition lead the way, while pushing myself emotionally, lyrically, vocally as far as I could possibly go.”
Victory – Confessions of a Lonely Girl [album]
Victory Boyd, mononymously known as Victory, pours her heart and soul across her 17-track album, Confessions Of A Lonely Girl. This project is meant for full immersion with its storytelling lyrics that chronicle love lost and the process of rediscovery. Think of it as a musical memoir. While “Just Friends,” “Ghost” and “Steady” are highlights, the album is best experienced from start to finish like a great book.
