Nick Jonas Finds Himself on ‘Sunday Best’
On Nick Jonas’ fifth solo album, Sunday Best, he looked inward for inspiration and created what is arguably his strongest music to date.
r&b
Jill Scott’s New Music Is As Vibrant As Ever
Jill Scott’s new album fits seamlessly with pop’s retro-futuristic fascination with the 1980s. Her signature mix of poetry, hip-hop, jazz, and soul is as vibrant as ever.
The Olympians Instrumentally Search for a Revival
The Olympians’ In Search of a Revival may be an odd album, but it’s not an unfriendly one. The dozen instrumental tracks offer friendly vibes.
Madison Beer Creates a Tasty R&B/Club Pop Hybrid
Locket is a slow-and-steady evolution of Madison Beer’s best features. It’s a highly satisfying, seductive, heartbreaking, heartbroken pop opus.
Trinisha Browne Redefines Afro-Caribbean Music
Rooted in the warmth of the Caribbean and refined in the multicultural hum of Montreal, Trinisha Browne’s music embodies the evolution of diaspora.
James Hunter Six Get ‘Off the Fence’ and Land on a New Label
These 12 new self-penned tracks demonstrate that the James Hunter Six have found their niche and discovered how to exploit the groove.
The Best Music of 2025/Feature Sub Head/Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Lists/Music/Music Features/PopMatters Picks
The 10 Best Soul/R&B Albums of 2025
In these challenging times, the best soul and R&B albums walked tall and carried a big stick, while also being a much-needed balm and source of warmth.
Yves Jarvis Raises His Voice for Captivating Album
Yves Jarvis beefs up the Polaris Prize-winning album All Cylinders with more songs for a new release. It’s the sound of the experimental becoming accessible.
Sudan Archives’ ‘The BPM’ Delivers Dancefloor-Ready Anthems
Sudan Archives’ The BPM is a high-tech, futuristic odyssey, full of heaving, sweaty, dance-floor-ready anthems. It’s also an intensely human record
keiyaA Finds Strength in Stretching Out on ‘hooke’s law’
Much of hooke’s law is a cry for help from the voice within. keiyaA says she would do anything to see god or find a purpose. Like a spring, she is resilient.
Cautious Clay’s New Album Is Evening Angst Distilled
For his current timeline-centric release, the R&B/pop polymath Cautious Clay navigates from dawn to dusk with sly ease, discussing his creative process.
Southside Johnny: Bluesman, Soul Shouter, Moving Balladeer
Southside Johnny was a link to American pop music from the 1940s to the ’80s, when blues, soul, jazz, and garage rock created a new pop culture.