It’s New Music Friday, which means Rated R&B is bringing you the most essential releases. This week has some exciting returns. Bruno Mars launches his Romantic era with “I Just Might,” his first solo release since 2016. Jill Scott is keeping the momentum going with “Pressha,” the second single from her first album in a decade.
Meanwhile, Ari Lennox gives one more peek into her third album, Vacancy, before it drops later this month. Plus, there’s a surprise album drop by the British collective SAULT and another single from progressive soul band Moonchild. Jaymin and a few other fresh faces in R&B are looking to put themselves on the map with their new drops.
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.
Bruno Mars — “I Just Might”
Bruno Mars, the self-proclaimed Aura Lord, is also a certified groove specialist. “I Just Might,” the lead single from The Romantic, is the superstar’s call back to the dance floor, thanks to its disco-funk production. He co-produced it with frequent collaborator D’Mile, who worked on his hits like “Leave The Door Open” (Silk Sonic) and his duet with Lady Gaga, “Die With A Smile.” The Romantic, Mars’ first solo album in a decade, is set to arrive Feb. 27 via Atlantic Records.
Jill Scott — “Pressha”
Jill Scott is bringing the “Pressha” with her latest single. Arriving a week after “Beautiful People,” “Pressha” finds Scott firmly rooted in her truth amid outside forces that shape societal expectations; in this case, it’s love. Over a tranquil production by Vincent “VT” Tolan and Adam Blackstone, Scott recounts a pursuit gone wrong. “I wasn’t the aesthetic / I guess, I guess I get it / So much pressha / To appear just like them,” she shrugs. “Pressha” is the second offering from Scott’s new album, To Whom This May Concern, out Feb. 13.
Moonchild, Robert Glasper & D Smoke — “Up From Here”
Progressive soul band Moonchild has a knack for making lush, atmospheric tunes that defy gravity. “Up From Here” is no different in the best way possible. The optimistic track, featuring multi-instrumentalist Robert Glasper and rapper D Smoke, embraces life’s lows as a way to seek higher ground. “Already know what it means to lose / Already know what it means / Nothing can touch me / It’s only up from here,” sings frontwoman Amber Navran. “Up From Here” is taken from Moonchild’s new album, Waves, arriving Feb. 20. The album features collaborations with Jill Scott, Rapsody, Lalah Hathaway and more.
Ari Lennox — “Twin Flame”
As the countdown continues for Ari Lennox’s third album, Vacancy, the singer brings more heat with her new track “Twin Flame.” Written solely by Lennox, “Twin Flame” plays like a love letter to someone special, hoping they feel the same. “Set my heart ablaze / Are you my twin flame? / I’m asking, ‘Do you love me?’” she sings. Vacancy drops Jan. 23 via Interscope Records.
Jaymin — “WaMu”
R&B newcomer Jaymin is proving to be a hopeless romantic. On the Chase N. Chase-produced “WaMu,” the Seattle-bred artist relishes the idea of an everlasting, slow-burning type of love. “I just wanna take my time with you for the rest of our lives,” he croons. “WaMu” is lifted from Jaymin’s debut EP, Sweet Nothings, out Feb. 6 via Warner Records.
Samm Henshaw — “Hair Down”
Life can feel tumultuous at times. It doesn’t matter who you are; we all go through the tides. British soul singer Samm Henshaw rolls with the punches on his new song “Hair Down.” Produced by Josh Grant, “Hair Down” is a gentle reminder that it’s OK to surrender to things we cannot control. “There’s some things you may not understand / Ain’t no problem if it’s out your hand / Let your hair down baby,” he sings over warm acoustics and percussion. “Hair Down” is featured on Henshaw’s sophomore album, It Could Be Worse, which releases digitally Jan. 19. (It was previously released exclusively on vinyl in November.)
PHABO, Kiana Lede — “Win Or Lose”
PHABO and Kiana Ledé have teamed up for a new duet, “Win Or Lose.” The piano-laden slow jam, produced by Mario Winans and AB, captures the rift between a couple going through the motions. “Win or lose, what are we proving? / Can’t quit, I can’t do it,” Phabo croons. Ledé responds with, “You say that you love me, but I don’t feel it when we f*****g.” “Win Or Lose” is from PHABO’s upcoming album, Ratchet & Blues, which drops Jan. 23. The follow-up to 2023’s Don’t Get Too Cozy also includes “Fur Coat” and “Anything 4 U.”
Gabriela Rosario — “Spoil”
Puerto Rican-born, Dominican Republic-raised singer Gabriela Rosario makes her official debut with “Spoil.” Produced by Dirk Pate, Sean Carson and Mark Parfitt, “Spoil” is a Latin-flavored R&B gem about showering a lover with acts of kindness. “There’s a science to keep a man / I’ma show you what I mean / Let me spoil you babe,” she sings.
Jordan Ward — “Champion Sound”
Alt-R&B singer Jordan Ward celebrates his mother’s resilience on his new anthem “Champion Sound.” The jazz-induced track, produced by Lido and Zach Ezzy, is from his sophomore album, BACKWARD, which releases Jan. 30 via Interscope Records. The 15-track album also features the SAILORR-assisted “Smokin Potna” and “Juicy.”
SAULT — Chapter 1 (Album)
SAULT, the British collective that consists of Cleo Sol and producer Inflo, usher in 2026 with their new album Chapter 1. The 10-track set is filled with lush, velvety grooves, including the standout “Good Things Will Come After the Pressure,” co-written by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. There’s no need to skip around tracks, though. Chapter 1 should be enjoyed from start to finish like a good book. Of their new project, SAULT shared, “We are so grateful to share this body of work with you, thank you for being on this path with us. Thank you for embracing us and giving us the freedom to create whatever we like and whenever we like, we overstand that this is rare.” Chapter 1 follows their 2025 project, 10.
Kareen Lomax — “Idea of You”
“Sometimes it’s not the person you miss — it’s the version you imagined,” Kareen Lomax explains of her new track “Idea of You.” It’s the second taste from the rising alt-R&B singer’s new EP,ijan, which is set to be released Feb. 6. The project will also include “Apartment,” a breezy tune she wrote between grief and freedom.
Elijah Connor — “More Than A Friend”
Elijah Connor is ready to cross that line again. On the ‘90s-tinged “More Than A Friend,” Connor reminisces on an old flame he hopes to reignite. “Miss when you were only mine / And how it was back then,” he sings. Of the track, Connor notes, “This record is a confession I didn’t realize I needed to make. It’s honest in a way that’s uncomfortable, even for me.”
Marques Houston — “Only Me”
R&B veteran Marques Houston has released his heartfelt ballad “Only Me.” The piano-driven track was produced by Jai Sessions.
V. Cartier — “Kryptonite”
Rising singer V. Cartier makes an intimate return with “Kryptonite.” The self-penned and produced track arrives just in time as folks begin refreshing their V-Day playlists — and this is an essential add.
Avery Wilson — “Good Enough”
Avery Wilson gifted his supporters with “Good Enough” on Christmas Day. The lustful tune, produced by Joseph Vincent French, finds Wilson craving the touch of someone special: “I need you to stop what you doing and bring your body / ‘Cause it’s an emergency.” “Good Enough” follows 2024’s “Kiss the Sky,” produced by Louis York. Hopefully, we get a new body of work from Wilson soon.
Sevyn Streeter — “‘97”
Sevyn Streeter is taking us back to the Golden Era of R&B with “‘97.” With production by D’Mile, who also produced her fan-favorite “Taboo,” “‘97” pleads for a love that feels as good as the year that gave us Janet Jackson’s The Velvet Rope, Mariah Carey’s Butterfly and Erykah Badu’s Baduizm. “This song means sooo much to me, word to @dmile85 for re-imagining a period that paved a way for us!” Streeter wrote on Instagram.
Stream all of this week’s picks and more on the RATED R&B Playlist.