Bryson Tiller, Sasha Keable, Isaia Huron, And More New R&B For Solace And Vices
Pick your poison carefully; You’ll get addicted quickly.
Chris McCoy; Jeff Hahn;
This week in R&B, we’re holding space for duality. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows to indulging in vices or seeking solace, there’s once again something for every emotion, rite of passage, and creative journey.
Bryson Tiller has gifted fans the first installment of his double album while Aiyana-Lee is making a name for herself with Spike Lee’s help. Sasha Keable and Isaia Huron both release full-length projects that solidify R&B’s place at the top of the musical totem pole while Ogi and TA Thomas‘ respective new singles remind listeners of the things that matter the most.
Check out all of VIBE’s top new R&B picks below.
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Bryson Tiller – ‘The Vices’
Image Credit: Courtesy of Bryson Tiller Bryson Tiller has released The Vices, the first half of his double album, Solace & The Vices.
It marks a new chapter in his ever-evolving sound. Though it is a nod to the crooner’s “rap roots” and “gritty, high-energy side,” we loved the interpolation of Chris Brown’s “Ain’t No Way” on “On The Way” and the sultry nature of “Last Call.” Solace is described as by Bryson as “my own personal therapy session,” so fans can expect a more introspective, slowed-down approach.
The Vices includes features from Luh Tyler, Plies, T-Pain, Rick Ross, Bun B, and more.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG3fyVRaqTs?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]
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Sasha Keable – ‘act right’
Image Credit: Courtesy of Sasha Keable Sasha Keable is such a refreshing talent. Her distinct tone set her releases ablaze and it’s all led to her new EP, act right. Penned following a painful breakup, Sasha turned her pain onto prose and transformed her anger into empowerment.
“This project comes from a place of betrayal and heartbreak,” she noted. “I felt like if I didn’t make this music I might lose my mind. I made this project for myself, it’s exactly what I needed.”
Working with the likes of Leon Thomas on “move it along” and BEAM on “work,” Sasha is ready to “ring the alarm” as she enters into a new chapter, fired up and ready to go.
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Isaia Huron – ‘CONCUBANIA’
Image Credit: Courtesy of SLANG Isaia Huron has hits and his new album, CONCUBANIA, is full of them. As he unpacks themes of love, loss, and the “emotional turbulence before starting over,” he does in a way that oozes passion and tugs on your heart’s strings.
Birthed out of a conversation about “women of the night,” Isaia explained that the word Concubania is a twist on “concubine.” He confessed that it’s perfect stuck for the world he’s created, describing it as “a space where intimacy can feel both magnetic and destructive.”
“Every track exists inside of it,” he noted. Whether it’s the missed act of yearning on the hypnotic “List Crawler,” the rawness of “HOML” or the directness of “See Right Through Me,” this LP makes Isaiah impossible to ignore.
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Aiyana-Lee – “Highest 2 Lowest”
Image Credit: Courtesy of A24 We’ve been obsessed with Aiyana-Lee for years and couldn’t be prouder to see the songbird become an in-demand talent for Spike Lee. She sings the title track for his new film, HIGHEST 2 LOWEST, and it’s a chilling display of her breathtaking range. Not to mention, it’s also a nod to her lineage as the late David Ruffin’s niece.
“‘Highest to Lowest’ is a soulful, triumphant journey. One rooted in vulnerability and hope. It’s a song and story close to my heart that proves even in the darkest moments, light always finds its way through,” Aiyana-Lee shared of the record.
She will also make her acting debut in the film.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaIMv2V5dRE?feature=oembed&w=500&h=375]
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Jenevieve – ‘CRYSALIS’
Image Credit: Courtesy of Interscope Records Our fave, Jenevieve, returns with her long-awaited new album, CRYSALIS.
The alt-R&B goddess finds her groove on the title/intro track while also taking listeners through a fun, sonic journey about freedom and the good things life has to offer.
She notes, “‘CRYSALIS’ is about protecting your energy. It’s a safe space. It’s about not letting outside pressures get to you, and doing what you believe in.” Whether love is your happy place or you’ve curated a safe space to be you elsewhere, this LP is about letting loose and with the craziness of this world, that reminder is always needed.
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Craig David – ‘Commitment’
Image Credit: Courtesy of Believe UK Just as Craig David‘s debut album turns 25, the British crooner is back with his new album, Commitment.
Funny enough, he still has that same hunger and freedom as he did back then— all of which are channeled on the album. From the heartfelt “In It With You” with JoJo and vibrant title track with Tiwa Savage to vulnerable “Rain” and blissful “In Your Hands,” Craig has a little bit of everything across the LP’s 13 tracks.
It’s both nostalgic and original as he brings merges his classic sound with contemporary R&B.
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TA Thomas – “Outside Man”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Def Jam Calling all lovers! TA Thomas is looking for his better half. As a self-proclaimed “outside man,” the Southern gentleman is seeking an “inside woman” to balance him out.
The blaring horns and groovy bassline are fitting for his down-home charm and is a nod to classic Motown and Southern soul. It’s clear that once he finds his mate, all that’s left is to fall in love.
Yearning R&B is back and in full effect. Giddy up.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv76X4A0Ubk?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]
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Ogi – “Get It Right”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Ogi Ogi is back on her own terms with her indie release, “Get It Right.” The self-produced anthem centers around her journey of stepping into her creative freedom and owning the confidence as an artist that she thought she’d lost.
“This song really is me trying to find my brand of honesty as an artist,” she told VIBE exclusively. “After being in meeting after meeting after meeting after phone call after meeting FILLED with people telling me who I am, I needed to remember how I sounded uncompromised. So I wrote, produced, mixed, and performed ‘Get It Right,’ a song about being confused about my life and the frustrations that come with it. Releasing this song really felt like a release for me, too, so I’m excited to let more people in to this part of me.”
It’s available on YouTube and Soundcloud for the foreseeable future.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkJuRQM-QGk?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]