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Texas artists Leon Bridges and Khruangbin create some mellow, cosmic soul on a delightful EP that shows off their respective strengths.

On his first solo album in eight years, Raphael Saadiq proves the power of the personal narrative by placing personal tragedies in heartbreaking context.

London's Bryony Jarman-Pinto explores R&B, jazz, and Afropop in exhilarating fashion to create her unforgettable debut, Cage and Aviary.

High-energy single "All in Me" sees Japanese soul singer Nao Yoshioka get funky in the heart of Philly.

With its punchy beats and electrifying groove, DJ Chillz makes "1111 Accord" sound so effortless.

Origin is a rich, intoxicating listen that benefits from Jordan Rakei's clear, succinct vision. The desire to challenge himself to write a more thematic, conceptual album has encouraged Rakei to write more immediate, more impactful songs.

The Heavy's latest release, Sons, demonstrates that their musical trajectory is far more complicated and nuanced than what's been embraced by popular culture.

South Africa's Seba Kaapstad have created a deep musical statement in Thina, in which music, lyrics, and performance interact in a way that will wash over you and leave you feeling musically and emotionally refreshed if you let it.

Junius Meyvant's "Ain't Gonna Let You Drown" is a soulful love song that recalls the classic soul/R&B era.

Jamila Woods, herself, a poet, singer, activist, and teacher, casts Legacy! Legacy! as a beacon for a type of self-empowerment informed by the predecessors who built and shaped culture.

On While We Wait, Kehlani rests her case on the ins and outs of modern love on her latest project with defiant candor, featuring some of the freshest sonic accouterments millennial R&B has to offer.

As far as talent goes, Lion Babe boasts it in abundance, but originality remains in short supply on their sophomore album, Cosmic Wind.

London-based collective Nubiyan Twist lean toward neo-soul on Jungle Run, a style that tends to be a free-flowing mélange of jazz, soul, hip-hop, and electronics.

Danish R&B singer KING releases a fresh, playful slice of laid back neo-soul full of character as a taster for forthcoming debut EP.

Empress is brilliant. Ray BLK has earned a spot at the top of the R&B heap. Hand her the crown.

The second album from the unique New York jazz/pop/soul outfit GADADU is an odd – and oddly inviting – collection of songs that combine old-school tradition with new ideas.

Noname's Room 25 sees a brilliant writer finding her outlet, taking in the world around her, and spinning it into her own extraordinary web.

Noname's Room 25 is vintage neo-soul and future rap hand in hand; a soulful sanctuary for those turned off by the austerity of mainstream mumble rap.

Jungle are nothing if not original.

The Internet's fourth album, their most focused if not their most compelling, is a distillation of everything that makes them so distinctively cool.

Even with its shallow letdowns, Janelle Monáe's Dirty Computer succeeds overall because it mostly delivers the same elements that made the Metropolis lineage soar.

One of the Bay Area's finest exports Monophonics offers up soulful covers of some classic tunes on their new EP.

At the peak of his powers, Justin Timberlake could probably get away with a confused backwoods-pop hybrid like this. As it stands, people are seeing it for what it is: the most misguided album of his career.

Curtis Harding combines sweet soul and a funky bass line to create a smooth confection that makes one want to dance, hug, and kiss.

When you can't rap or sing, but you want to declare your love to your new woman, you might as well do it through groove.

Fitz and the Tantrums find contentment in the soft, sleek, and simple on their infectious but frivolous third album.

Entertaining soul outfit hits mark one more time.

The urgent Black Messiah proves that sometimes, life won't let a cultural statement that's chomping at the bit wait for a proper marketing campaign.

Give the People What They Want doesn't mess too much with the neo-soul formula Sharon Jones has built her musical career on, but it adds in touches of funk and country to the proceedings.

Dee embraces authentic soul as well as unrelenting focus on On My Mind/In My Heart.

On its first album in a decade the Sugarman 3 sounds as fresh as the moment of its debut.

Bilal Oliver belongs to an elite class of late '90s Neo-Soul singers, but his guest appearances may be the true gems of his career.

Williams actually seems to be moving away from the righteous fury that informed his earliest albums, and has admitted that he set out to make a pop album this time around.

If you’re looking for pleasant RJD2 pop music in the vein of the Mad Men theme, you might like Icebird. If you’re hoping that this record marks the return of the wildly inventive and free-wheeling RJD2 of his Def Jux years, however, you’ll have to keep hoping.

Gil Scott-Heron brought his legendary brand of soul, and surprise guest, Common, to Central Park’s Summerstage Sunday.

PopMatters' Sarah Moore speaks with Daptone Records co-founder Gabriel Roth about the recent Daptone Gold release.

With Unexpected, Angie Stone continues to be one of the greatest contemporary soul artists of our time.