Chlöe, Ravyn Lenae, Kenyon Dixon, And More R&B Releases For Trouble In Paradise

This week in R&B, we have some not-so-surprising drops and more of that R&B you love. Both Chlöe and Ravyn Lenae understood their (unofficial and respective) assignments when it came to their sophomore albums. Meanwhile, Felix Ames and Leon Thomas teased their own forthcoming feature-length releases.

Kenyon Dixon dropped the last installment of his R&B You Love series, and AUGUST 08’s family shared a piece of his heart with fans as the one-year anniversary of his death approaches. Durand Bernarr made a banger. Ambré flexed her pen and production skills while Rae Khalil made her full-length debut on Anderson .Paak’s label.

Check out the new soundtracks to your woes in paradise with VIBE’s new R&B picks of the week.

Chlöe – Trouble In Paradise

Chlöe shook the table earlier this week when she surprised fans with the release date for her sophomore album, Trouble In Paradise. The album is redemptive, following mixed reviews from her solo debut. It includes singles “FYS” and “Boy Bye” and boasts fitting appearances from Ty Dolla $ign, Jeremih, YG Marley, Anderson .Paak, and her sister/musical partner, Halle Bailey.

“Temporarily Single” is laced with something and we’re sure it has something to do with its interpolation of Tyrese’s “Lately.” “Rose” screams female empowerment. It’s not about flowers but rather a certain sex toy that puts women in full control of their orgasms. This was also alluded to on “Nice Girls Finish Last,” where Chlöe prides herself on giving her man the “best sex [he] ever had.” “Might As Well” was made for R&B radio. “Same Lingerie” is a soul-stirring ballad that feels more like a promising threat than something evoking aimless love. Despite “Want Me” coming off as a Chloe x Halle reunion, Chlöe steers the ship while Halle is along for the ride.

The project is a testament to Chlöe’s growth as a solo act. It’s well-sequenced and will be on repeat for the foreseeable future. For the singer, she explained that making Trouble In Paradise in St. Lucia was “the most fun i’ve had creating music in a very long time.” She added, “To the country and people of St Lucia, thank you for welcoming me into your home with such warm and loving arms. Thank you for inspiring me more than you know. I have found my happiness, my peace, my joy here, my sanctuary. The place where my troubles don’t seem as bad when I’m basking in the sun, swimming in paradise.”

She later noted in a statement, “This project is truly about writing away my troubles in paradise […] I wanted this project to feel fun and even though there are ups and downs, it’s a fun wild ride like a summer fling: unpredictable, exciting, and new.”

Ravyn Lenae – Bird’s Eye

Ravyn Lenae’s sophomore album is here. Bird’s Eye has had us in a chokehold for quite some time, but now it’s available for the masses to consume. With the help of previously released singles “One Wish” featuring Childish Gambino, “Dream Girl” with Ty Dolla $ign, “Love Me Not,” and “Love Is Blind,” Lenae breaks away from societal projections and allows listeners into the depths of her soul.

On her evolution since her debut HYPNOS, Lenae shared, “One of the most beautiful things about making ‘Bird’s Eye’ was the amount of reflection that was required to truly tell a story that felt clear and honest. Digging into the nooks and crannies of my journey so far was so rewarding in many ways, but it’s most meaningful when it manifests into tangible change in my life.”

AUGUST 08 – Pretend It’s Okay

It’s been nearly one year since the death of August 08. To continue shedding light on his legacy, his estate has released a new, posthumous album, Pretend It’s Okay. 

Prior to his passing, he spoke about the album to his label, Def Jam: “Even though times get rough, we’re pretending it’s okay because we know that keeping a smile on our face keeps us from aging. Sometimes you have to put a smile on and keep dancing.” 

The LP is both delicate yet powerful, illuminating yet somber and bittersweet,≥ as heard on tracks like “Bruises,” “Right My Wrongs,” “Blow,” and “Culo.”

Rae Khalil – CRYBABY

Rae Khalil is making her official long-form debut on Anderson .Paak’s APESH*T label through her new album, CRYBABY. The beloved rising star is atmospheric in nature while still being relatable and introspective.

On the 13-track LP, Rae worked with .Paak and her longtime collaborator Jared Rubens to hold a mirror up to herself and detail all of her wavering emotions. “I think it was great for me to have someone like Anderson on this album to run off my ideas and him say, ‘How can you take these to greater heights?’” she explained in a statement.

Rae seamlessly fuses Hip-Hop, R&B, the soul of Motown, with her contemporary, rugged flair, which can be heard on “IRREPLACEABLE (INTERLUDE),” “SHE’S A BORE,” “IT IS WHAT IT IS,” and “KNOW YOU.” There isn’t one dull moment on the project, and it’s a welcome listen for those just discovering her art.

Kenyon Dixon – The R&B You Love: For The ’99 And The 2000s

Kenyon Dixon is back with the final installment of his The R&B You Love series. The third and final piece of the puzzle is where he honors the R&B that helped all of us over the years. With each installment, Dixon’s “main goal was just to remind everybody that the feeling didn’t die. There is, still, and will always be a space for the R&B that we love.” The EP includes previously released records, “2000s R&B” with RL, “Far Away,” “Still,” and “Good Love.”

Durand Bernarr, Charlie Vettuno – “READY!”

Durand Bernarr’s “READY!” is a pulsating, funky anthem that channels the energy of Robin S. and CeCe Peniston. Bernarr —with the help of producer-songwriter duo Charlie Vettuno— explained that the groovy record was “inspired by those moments when people assume they know what you want.” He noted, “‘READY!’ sets the tone for the journey ahead, but trust me, I’m not ready to wrap things up just yet.”

For Vettuno, “Working with Durand has been like working at home, there’s a comfort and familiarity there. Sometimes you meet kindred spirits and the chemistry is off to the races. ‘READY!’ is a prime example of this; Durand instantly took to the track when we played it for him. We haven’t looked back since.”

Ambré – i do this sh*t in my sleep

Ambré compiled a collection of demos she created and released them in the form of her new mixtape, i do this sh*t in my sleep.

The 6-track project includes features from Alex Isley on the sultry “YOU DON’T KNOW” and Treety on the vibrant “OUTSIDE.” The New Orleans-bred artist soundtracks vulnerability and authenticity on a “playful journey of cat and mouse” on the surprise EP.

“This is not an album,” Ambré explained in a statement. “I didn’t spend months working on these songs. These are a collection of demos, but if you like them then you’ll love what’s to come… because I’m working on the greatest album of all time.” 

Felix Ames – “I’ve Seen Heaven”

Felix Ames is the epitome of soul music and is bringing back music for the yearners.

With “I’ve Seen Heaven,” the crooner told EBONY, it’s “my go-to cookout song,” because he feels cookout records have a “wide range of emotions with soul music in the forefront.” Ames sings as if he’s lived in a past lifetime like refreshing nostalgia.

“I’ve Seen Heaven” is the lead single from his new EP, Feel the Past, See the Future.

Leon Thomas – “MUTT”

Leon Thomas is teasing his next album with his new single, “MUTT.” It’s a captivating slow-burn that showcases how Leon is now approaching life and love. The accompanying visual was shot in slo-mo by Phil Meyer to symbolize the deliberate shift.