R&B and soul are two of those classic sounds that haven’t wavered over the years, instead they’ve continued to evolve and branch out into exciting new frontiers. So without further ado, let’s have a listen.
Our Sounds of R&B & Soul returns with a razor-sharp statement of empowerment wrapped in irresistible hooks in Wallis’ twelfth single ‘Snakebite’. With shimmering soprano vocals riding over afrobeat rhythms and UK garage-inspired bass, the track blends glossy R&B with raw edge. Drawing from personal experience of betrayal and public humiliation, Wallis flips toxicity into strength, using the “snakebite” as a metaphor for female revenge and resilience. Both intimate and anthemic, the song showcases her ability to fuse vulnerability with boldness. Rooted in Northern grit yet polished with global ambition, ‘Snakebite’ proves Wallis is carving her own lane in modern R&B. It’s catchy, powerful, and impossible to ignore.
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Built on a foundation of warm, distorted bass and crisp, minimalist drums, while ethereal synths and reverb-drenched ad-libs create a hazy, immersive backdrop, Jarian Green’s single ‘Drown’ is a masterclass in atmospheric R&B. This sonic landscape perfectly complements the song’s raw, relatable lyricism, a poignant exploration of the fear of being consumed by a relationship. Jarian’s smooth, soulful baritone is the centerpiece that delivers the emotional weight with a laid-back, almost effortless cool. For fans of The Weeknd and Usher, this single feels both modern and timeless.
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Over smooth, heartfelt vocals and steady, beat-driven production, Rachel Black delivers a deeply personal message about leaning on that one true person for comfort in times of tragedy. ‘therapy (healing)’ is a soulful exploration of love as refuge, blending 90s R&B warmth with modern trap-meets-soul textures. The track’s intimacy lies in its simplicity. It’s an honest confession that healing often comes through connection. Born in Dallas and now based in Oklahoma City, Rachel draws on family roots and wide-ranging influences to craft music that feels both timeless and contemporary. ‘therapy (healing)’ is tender, resonant, and proof of her rising artistry.
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Virginia-based artist Penelope shares ‘The Sea’, a heartfelt ode to self-discovery and a new beginning. The track is a beautiful blend of contemporary R&B and indie pop, creating a sound that is both fresh and deeply personal. Inspired by a journey that led her to find love, purpose, and her own voice, Penelope’s sultry, warm vocals carry the song’s emotional weight. The production feels intimate and intentional, allowing her voice to shine as the centerpiece. It’s a purposeful step outside of her normal sound, paying beautiful homage to a place that shaped her.
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‘PALMA WISE’ is a kaleidoscopic standout from JayWood’s third album LEO NEGRO, fusing alternative hip-hop swagger with psychedelic soul and indie-funk textures. Montreal-based Jeremy Haywood-Smith crafts a sound that is both introspective and larger-than-life, balancing moments of self-doubt with bursts of cosmic confidence. The track thrives on hypnotic grooves, woozy production, and a playful sense of experimentation that nods to Tyler, the Creator as much as Men I Trust. At its core, ‘PALMA WISE’ is an exploration of identity, delivering a soundscape that feels both deeply personal and irresistibly danceable. It’s a vibrant showcase of JayWood’s genre-bending artistry and fearless vision.
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Max Pope’s new single ‘home’ is a deeply personal and poignant exploration of displacement and the search for belonging. Inspired by his grandmother’s story of surviving the Holocaust, the track asks what it means to truly feel at home. Max’s emotive vocals and signature guitar tone carry a narrative spanning generations, creating a sound that is both introspective and emotionally resonant. Taken from his upcoming album, PRAISE ANIMAL, ‘home’ is a beautiful, moving reflection on our roots and the fragile, profound nature of human connection.
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Great Adamz and Maddox Jones strike gold with ‘Body And Soul’, a radiant fusion of afrobeat groove and heartfelt pop-soul. Adamz brings irresistible rhythmic flair, while Jones layers in soaring, emotive vocals, creating a duet that feels both joyous and intimate. The track’s sun-soaked production, velvet harmonies, and infectious chorus capture the euphoria of newfound love, wrapping vulnerability in irresistible warmth. Co-written and produced by the duo, it’s a seamless blend of their worlds, between Adamz’s afrobeat vibrancy meeting Maddox’s raw honesty. ‘Body And Soul’ is a celebration of connection, chemistry, and cross-genre collaboration done right.
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Skillfully juxtaposing a dreamy, cinematic sound with darker, more profound truths, Madeleine Rose Witney’s new single ‘Shine’ is a luminous, late-night lullaby. The track is a haunting anthem for female resilience, envisioning a woman walking home alone at night, finding a mix of vulnerability and defiance. Madeleine’s lyrics, which blend the mythic with the mundane, strike a powerful chord. Drawing comparisons to artists like Weyes Blood and Natalie Prass, ‘Shine’ is true to her vivid storytelling and her ability to evoke raw emotion, marking a stunning return ahead of her anticipated debut EP. The song feels both timely and timeless, establishing a unique world for the listener.
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Embodying his smooth, soulful, and undeniably infectious musical ethos, Kenny Sharp releases this funk-drenched gem in ‘Amy’. Blending the swagger of James Brown with the charisma of Morris Day, this artist delivers a groove-heavy track that’s both retro-inspired and forward-thinking. His vocals glide effortlessly between playful croon and impassioned grit, while the band’s tight rhythms and lush arrangements make Amy feel like an instant classic. Rooted in D.C.’s multi-genre spirit, Kenny channels funk, R&B, and pop into a sound that’s uniquely his own. ‘Amy’ is part of his timeless, genre-blurring legacy.
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After a two-year silence, Joël Francis returns with ‘Serenity’, a glowing journey to self-discovery and newfound love. Blending neo-soul warmth, contemporary R&B smoothness, and retro-soul grooves, the track radiates both intimacy and uplift. Joël’s voice, woozy yet precise, drapes over jazzy textures with a balance of tenderness and quiet confidence, carrying the listener into her hard-won peace. What makes ‘Serenity’ stand out is its duality between the deeply personal and universally relatable, one that’s rooted in vulnerability while irresistibly groovy. It’s an invitation to breathe, to heal, and to dance gently into love’s light.
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Channels the energy of a fighter by celebrating the sacrifice and long nights required for the climb toward greatness, ‘Locked in a Vision’ is an anthem of unwavering focus and resilience. Marcus Coates’ track was born from a mindset of tunnel vision, where outside noise and hardship can’t break your focus. Yet, it’s also inspired by the kind of love that fuels ambition, not derails it, making the song as much about the heart as it is about the hustle. This is a powerful, therapeutic piece of music that tells a story of ambition and refusing to let go of the dream.
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PURPLE MELON 