These acts and their explosive new releases make soft launching a thing of the past.
By Mya Abraham
R&B Reporter
This week in R&B? It’s all about the hard launch. Though the term is often reserved to mark a couple’s official debut, these acts’ new music offerings has us down bad and ready to tell the world.
From Coco Jones, DESTIN CONRAD, and Sasha Keable to 2BYG, Kadeem Tyrell, and Eric Benét, we have a bit of ’90s nostalgia and contemporary refreshers that make us want to kiss in public, have no secrets, act right, and ask the question— why not more?
Ready to tune in? Get into VIBE’s top new R&B selects below.
Coco Jones’ debut album is finally here. Why Not More? is a bold reflection of Jones’ heart, personality, and confidence. Not to mention, the 14-track LP includes only three features from YG Marley, Future, London on da Track.
“’Why Not More?’ is the question I’ve been asking myself in hopes of understanding me and growing in confidence,” the singer noted in a statement. “This album is about leaning into whoever you are right now without worrying about who you’ve been or who you want to be in the future. Authenticity will never lead you to the wrong place, so why not lean in?”
Our current standouts thus far are “Other Side Of Love,” “Keep It Quiet,” “You,” and “Forever Don’t Hit Like Before.”
DESTIN CONRAD has also released his highly-anticipated debut album, LOVE ON DIGITAL.
Inspired by Y2K nostalgia and love stories shaped by FaceTimes and voice notes, the crooner linked up with Kehlani, Lil Nas X, Teezo Touchdown, and serpentwithfeet and more to unpack what it means to find analog connection in digital world.
“This album is a nod to the digital age of R&B. The early 2000s when new software was created that allowed for music to move from fully instrumental to digital sounds -the bee bee boops,” he explained.
We’re currently obsessed with the fearless anthem, “BAD B**CHES,” the playful “KISSING IN PUBLIC,” the relatable “DELUSIONAL,” and the vulnerable “MAKE IT UP.”
If you haven’t been put on to Sasha Keable, take a seat and get comfortable because the British/Colombian songbird is up next.
Her new single, “Act Right,” is a hypnotizing number that showcases gut-wrenching emotions through her powerful tone. Sasha detailed that the record was “very much rooted in betrayal and heartbreak,” and described it as a “plea to the people who did me wrong to fix up and attempt to see the wrong in what they did while simultaneously attempting to find the love within myself that I so generously gave away to those people that didn’t deserve it.”
She’s already been co-signed by Beyoncé, so don’t say you were warned about this phenom.
The rise of boy bands is in full effect, so allow us to introduce 2BYG and their debut single, “Karma.”
Hailing from Dallas-Fort Worth, the quartet— Matt Brown, Tourè, Nixx, and KD — have already amassed over 1 million followers on TikTok and “Karma” is the beginning of what’s to come.
Written by Talay Riley, the record merges old-school R&B with vibrant Gen Z aura and has us in a chokehold. Of the record, KD explained, “We’re all faith-based individuals. I believe you reap what you sow. The song captures this sentiment. Whatever you’re putting into a relationship or friendship is what you’re going to get back. That’s the way the world works. It’s real, and it shows up in everyday life.”
Kadeem Tyrell is the latest British sensation that’s stealing our hearts and needs to be dominating our playlists. With his new EP, KT.FM, he’s curated his own radio station to allow listeners to get a feel for who he is and why he’s R&B’s next commander.
Though the project is only eight tracks, he lures you in with “One Time,” “Garden Of Eden,” and our personal favorite, “Blue Heart.”
Eric Benét has one of the best R&B albums of this year, but before we get there, the crooner has released the first official single with Keri Hilson titled “Can’t Wait.”
The record is an upbeat groove that makes you wanna dance and not waste any time by getting down with the one you love.
“It has always been a dream of mine to release music with Keri,” Benét confessed. “She’s an undeniably powerful songwriter, a phenomenal singer, and just a beautiful person inside and out. Being able to bring the vision of ‘Can’t Wait’ to life has been an incredible experience, and I am beyond excited to finally share this song with our fans!”
The single stems from Benét’s new album, The Co-Star— out on June 6.
With her first release in four years, Jessie J is putting her heart on the line with her new single, “No Secrets.”
Produced by Los Hendrix and Jesse Boykins III, the ballad is bold, soul-stirring, and is a chilling reflection of where she’s been these past few years. “This song is super personal, but I hope it can be relative to anyone’s life,” Jessie notes. “I’m a very honest person; I say it how it is and I share with the world a lot of things that most people don’t, but always with a little humor. Humor is key. The music has really gotten me through.”
“No Secrets” is an invitation to welcome back the vocal powerhouse with open arms.
Budding singer Jacoténe is a force and proves such with her new single, “Forgive Me.” It’s the final release from her forthcoming EP, Untitled (Read My Mind), and delivers a familiar message about the pain of unrequited love.
She addes, “‘Forgive Me’ is a song about feelings not being reciprocated. This isn’t a love song in the traditional sense, it’s more tongue in cheek. The main message leans into being too good for someone and offering an apology not out of regret, but out of pity/sarcasm. In this song, there’s still a glimpse of hope, that perhaps if things were done differently, we’d be in a better place, living our happily ever after.”
The three-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter has released her latest single, “Wassup Wit It,” from her forthcoming album, FREE.
Of the new single, Asiahn notes, “I’m tapping into a side of me that the public rarely sees. It’s sexy. It’s confident. It’s a summer bop. It’s me stepping into my grown womanhood.”
Perfect for summertime, pregaming, seduction, and letting loose, “Wassup Wit It” is for those who exude confidence, can talk that talk and back it up.
SAILORR‘s “SINCERITY” marks the final glimpse into her world, ahead of the arrival of her debut album, FROM FLORIDA’S FINEST.
“SINCERITY” is described as a “cinematic ballad reflecting on the beauty and brutality in chasing your dreams, and the cost of achieving your goals.” It’s softly aggressive, challenging, and timely.
It’s a different vibe than “POOKIE’S REQUIEM,” but just as satisfying as we learn more and more about SAILORR and her meteoric rise.
Power Book III: Raising Kanan star Hailey Kilgore is putting her other talents on front-street with the arrival of her new single, “Dangerous Game.”
It’s an emotionally-driven confessional that’s the first installment from her full project, Seven Stages of Grief. When speaking on “Dangerous Game,” she explained, “I wrote the song by myself in the last 45 minutes of a 10 hour writing camp. I want people to take away that the complicated feelings are completely normal. That’s part of falling out of love. When you have finally come to the realization that a relationship as you have known it is changing, that’s when you start to feel like you can’t control your emotions the way you want to, love becomes a Dangerous Game. You are desperately holding on to getting a glimpse of what was. To go back to joy and love. Some level of stability. But what you had is gone.”
If you’ve ever played the dangerous game of love— whether you won or lost— this one’s for you.
Adrian Javon is one of this generation’s most creative talents.
With his new single, “Drive Me Crazy,” he reaffirms himself of such through a tune about longing, admiration, and emotional vulnerability. The infectious song unveils the reasoning why love is so riveting.
Just like the record, he has us going crazy as we await to hear more from the blossoming crooner.
Described as a teaser to her forthcoming album, Alex Isley is inviting listeners into her sultry world with her new EP, WHEN. Her first major release under Free Lunch/Warner Records, the incomparable singer issues a “masterclass in soulful vulnerability and sensual restraint” on records like “Hands,” “Ms. Goody Two Shoes,” and “Mic On.”
Isley explains, “‘WHEN’ is an exploration of love, identity, intimacy, and emotional growth. It’s a collection of some of my deepest thoughts, dreams, and memories, and the beginning of me leaning more into my sensuality.”
It’s an entrancing display of growth on Isley’s part and has us so ready for her next full-length release.
Psiryn recently made history as the first R&B girl group in over two decades to top Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart with their hit single, Sober, and now, they’re putting their own spin on a classic ballad.
With their mentor being Kandi Burruss, it was only right for the trio to reimagine Xscape’s timeless slow jam, “The Softest Place on Earth.”
Produced by T-Nyce and written by Ashun, the trio was given the seal of approval to reimagine the ballad as their own. They shared, “‘The Softest’ is not just a remake. It is a continuation. A slow-burning, harmony-rich record that draws listeners into a space where vulnerability, pleasure, and power all exist in equal measure. The group’s vocal chemistry meets the song’s emotional depth, creating something that feels both familiar and completely new.”
B5’s Bryan Breeding is reintroducing himself with his solo debut EP, Platonic. It’s a soul-centered project that was inspired by a “transformative spiritual awakening” stemming from a solo trip to Greece.
“This isn’t just music— it’s a frequency shift,” Bryan shares. “PLATONIC is about loving yourself, finding your peace, and choosing alignment over approval.”
Through its healing properties, Bryan hopes to resonate with his audience on a deeper level as we all awaken something different within one’s self.
LÉA THE LEOX is doing it big for queer artists while making us feel things with her sensual new offering, “OpenYourEyes.”
Serenading a shy love interest, LÉA offers both an invitation and a promise as she sings, “Tonight’s the night/ let me change your life lil baby/ Promise you I can help you see life more clearly/ Now baby, open your eyes.”
The record can be also heard on queeRnB, a new curated Pandora station from LÉA that’s intended to amplify fellow queer acts like Kehlani, Durand Bernarr, Kyle Dion, and more.
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