James Blake Revisits His Roots on ‘Playing Robots Into Heaven’
Playing Robots Into Heaven is ultimately a flawed album, but at times it’s a worthwhile foray for James Blake into more beat-led, dancefloor-friendly music.
alternative r&b
Little Dragon Return With Slinky and Assured ‘Slugs of Love’
Drawing from disco, funk, and R&B, Little Dragon’s Slugs of Love is genre-crossing music, achieving an artful balance of danceable tunes and reflective moods.
U.S. Girls ‘Bless This Mess’ Embraces Materiality, Creativity, and Dance Grooves
In Bless This Mess, U.S. Girls identify funk and R&B grooves as conduits for the very pulse of life. It’s brilliantly conceived and executed.
Kelela Trades Hooks for Atmosphere on Sensuous ‘Raven’
Returning from a five-year hiatus, Kelela’s Raven isn’t an explosive comeback for the alternative R&B singer but a downtempo reflection.
Charlotte Dos Santos Unfurls Her Wings on the Exquisite ‘Morfo’
Morfo is an amplification of everything making Charlotte Dos Santos an entrancing artist: gossamer voice, luscious atmosphere, and a pervasive sense of wonder.
The Weeknd’s ‘Dawn FM’ Carries the Weight of Party Hauntology
In Dawn FM, the Weeknd carries the weight of party hauntology, which explores how our cultural past haunts the present and future and mourns what never comes.
Kainalu Looks on the Bright Side with “Intuitions / Inhibitions” (premiere)
Kainalu’s warm style of simmering psychedelic yacht-funk powers “Intuitions / Inhibitions” with its nourishing blend of style and substance.
Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Is a Post-Covid Soiree and Massive PR Campaign
While Renaissance occasionally sports more style than substance, Beyoncé emerges as the re-coronated Queen of Pop and the reigning regent of eclecticism.
‘Aaliyah’: The Legacy of the Perfect R&B/Pop Record
Aaliyah’s patented brand of Black pop, a mélange of hip-hop, electropop, and soul, set the standard by which other urban-pop singers were judged and set the stage for Beyonce and Rihanna.
James Blake Live in Berlin – Fully Grown
British genre-bender James Blake dazzles a rapturous crowd in a heartfelt return to the stage in Berlin.
Shamir Thrills with New Album ‘Heterosexuality’
Pop renaissance man Shamir channels trauma, rage, and feelings of angst, and in response to our troubled times, he’s released an album of uncommon beauty.
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The 15 Best R&B/Soul Albums of 2021
In these challenging times, soul and R&B walked tall and carried a big stick, while also being a much-needed balm and source of warmth in 2021.