It’s New Music Friday, which means Rated R&B is bringing you the most essential releases. From the traditional R&B that purists love to the boundary-pushing sounds of the alt-R&B scene, this week’s roundup keeps its pulse on the essence of R&B. Dive into it below. Stream all of this week’s picks and more on theRATED R&B Playlist.
Cleo Sol — “Nothing Is Impossible With You”
British singer Cleo Sol returns with “Nothing Is Impossible With You,” a spiritual ballad that marks her first solo single since 2024’s “Fear When You Fly” and follows her collective SAULT’s album Chapter 1, released earlier this month
Moonchild feat. PJ Morton — “Fear (Hey Friend)”
Alternative R&B band Moonchild enlists PJ Morton for “Fear (Hey Friend),” from their sixth album, Waves, out Feb. 20. “‘Fear (Hey Friend)’ is about making fear and self-doubt your friend,” says Moonchild. “Knowing that you can’t grow or get to where you want to be without fear by your side. It’s inspired by the saying, ‘the cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.’”
Ari Lennox — Vacancy (album)
Ari Lennox looks to fill a void with her third album, Vacancy. Executive produced by Elite, the 15-track set is Lennox’s full embrace of her “Soft Girl Era” and indeed her most intimate work yet. On “High Key,” Lennox yearns for a lover who can make her hit those high notes in the bedroom, while “Pretzel” finds her ready to be flipped and folded.
Joyce Wrice — “Break Me In”
Joyce Wrice leans into her confident side on “Break Me In,” her first single in four years. Over a production that recalls the early 2000s, Wrice professes she wants a partner who can bring something out of her in the bedroom — something she can’t do alone.
Durand Jones & the Indications — “Let’s Take Our Time”
Progressive soul band Durand Jones & The Indications favor slow-burn intimacy over instant gratification on their retro ballad “Let’s Take Our Time.” Guided by Aaron Frazer’s silky falsetto, this track is all about relishing the long-winded journey to a euphoric ending.
Leven Kali — “Breathe!”
After releasing his LK99: The Prelude EP last summer, Leven Kali is now in album mode. His groove-ready banger “Breathe!” is another taste of what’s to come on LK99, his first album in six years.
Samm Henshaw —It Could Be Worse (album)
London native Samm Henshaw’s second album, It Could Be Worse, dives into the pangs of heartbreak and the journey to restoration. Recorded with live musicians, the soul record leans into the grit and groove that give it life. Standouts include the Sly and the Family Stone-inspired “Hair Down” and the Marvin Gaye-coded “Closer.”
Devin Morrison — “Pump The Blood”
Singer, songwriter and producer Devin Morrison is lost in his own thoughts on “Pump The Blood.” “I wrote this amidst the toil of complicated emotions and insufferable logic,” Morrison explained. “Sometimes the heart gets curious and the mind gets annoyed.”
PHABO — Ratchet & Blues (album)
PHABO is a world builder. His third album, Ratchet & Blues, is sonically rooted in the late ‘90s and 2000s without being excessively on-the-nose. It is well-studied yet authentically PHABO, making it an essential listen. Standouts include “Before We Get In Here!” and the Kiana Ledé-assisted “Win Or Lose.” If you’re craving a conceptual album to be fully immersed in, click play on Ratchet & Blues.
Nija — What I Didn’t Say (album)
After four years, Nija has returned with her new project, What I Didn’t Say. It follows her 2022 debut, Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You. While both are equally personal, What I Didn’t Say dives deeper into the tangled web of modern love. Joining Nija on her tales of romance are special guests Blxst and Jordan Adetunji.
Jordan Ward — “Stranger”
Jordan Ward premiered his new song “Stranger” during his performance on COLORS this week. The personal track is taken from his sophomore album, Backward, out Jan. 30.
October London feat. Tonio Armani — “Touch On Me (Remix)”
October London taps his Death Row labelmate Tonio Armani for the official remix to his rising hit “Touch On Me.” The original version, from London’s October Nights, is heating up the charts, currently resting in the top 5 at R&B radio.
Jacob Banks — “Love Like This”
When you experience true love, you have an understanding of everything it isn’t. British soul singer Jacob Banks’ “Love Like This” is a cautionary tale told on a bed of flourishing instrumentation. “Love will never make you feel like this,” he sings.
Stream all of this week’s picks and more on theRATED R&B Playlist.