Trevor Jackson, Blxst, Elijah Blake, And More New R&B For Complicated Situations
Is it just us or does R&B have a way of solving your problems? Or at least you have great music to get you through, and this week doesn’t disappoint.
Trevor Jackson released his lowkey toxic album while Blxst embodied an alternate persona on his debut. Elijah Blake is prepping for his most daring and honest release to-date as LAYA is radiating joy. Tinashe found someone to match her freak—Chl?e—while 4batz called upon Usher for a nostalgic flip on his modern hit. Dylan Reese returns with his first release of the year while Gallant gets deep and TeaMarrr manifests her dream lover. Elmiene is bringing live albums back to the mainstream as Otis Kane sings a sweet tune and Alexander Pierce makes his formal introduction.
VIBE‘s top new R&B picks may get you in your feelings, but don’t call your ex and blame us. We’re just here to share these new music offerings with you.
Trevor Jackson – It’s Complicated
Trevor Jackson’s soundtrack to situationships has arrived. It’s Complicated is the conclusion of a narrative he’s been singing of all year with the help of prior releases, Heads Up and He Don’t Know, where he leaned into the role of being the side piece and the issues surrounding that within relationships today.
While it’s easy to get lost in the catchy melodies, the lyricism may strike a nerve for some who may be caught off guard by the raw nature of it all because dating these days is often met with complications and subsequent consequences. Overall, the EP is honest and the epitome of defining “f**k around and find out.”
Blxst – I’ll Always Come Find You
Following his meteoric ascent over the past four years, Blxst returns with his debut album, I’ll Always Come Find You.
Over the course of the concept LP, he embodies the persona of Birdie— “a young man who inherits his father’s chauffeur car service upon his sudden passing. While Birdie’s focus is on the destination ahead, he’s confronted with a constant reminder of the life lessons his father instilled in him throughout experiences unfolding in the backseat.”
It serves as the soundtrack to his character’s journey with love and identity as well as his own. This is one of them ones that you just let play before dissecting your favorites.
Elijah Blake – “Westside Story”
Elijah Blake is gearing up for the release of his new eponymous album with the help of his latest single, “Westside Story.” It’s a nostalgic ’80s feel with a contemporary flair that “reflects on love, loss, and the stories that shape us.”
It follows the success of “Ghostbuster,” “Company,” and “Sugarwater & Lime” that all are haunting, dynamic, and introspective in their own ways—much like the new album overall.
elijah just might be his best work of art by far. It’ll be out on Aug. 2.
LAYA – “Ain’t Sad About It”
Laya’s new single, “Ain’t Sad About It,” is finally available everywhere. It began as a YouTube exclusive with a vibrant promotional run where she recreates opening sequences for hit shows like Taina, Sister Sister, and Martin.
It’s a jam that exudes joy and a carefree aura following a breakup. “‘Cause I ain’t good with cap/ And I ain’t with goodbyes/ You can’t gеt no dap/ ‘Cause I ain’t mad that I ain’t sad about it,” she sings on the hook. Not to mention, it sounds like a modern Groove Theory-adjacent offering with a smidge of Adina Howard audacity. We’re obsessed.
Tinashe feat. Chl?e – “Nasty Girl (Remix)”
Tinashe found someone to match her freak.
She enlisted Chl?e’s help to remix her hit single, “Nasty,” and it just makes sense. From the female perspective, the two women display their more dominant, seductress nature and amplifies the anthemic song of the summer. Their vocals compliment one another effortlessly and we hope a music video follows this release.
Tinashe’s new album, Quantum Baby, is slated for release on Aug. 16.
4batz feat. Usher – “act iv: fckin u again (18+) remix”
4batz’s co-signs are something to be studied. Not long after the release of his debut mixtape, he dropped the remix to his hit, “act iv: fckin u again (18+),” with the King of R&B, Usher.
“I love it because I feel like 20 years from now, a lot of kids gonna be made to this s**t,” 4Batz joked in a statement. It’s smooth and sensual, just as an Usher record should be, but also showcases 4batz’s distinct vocal styling.
The release caught us by surprise, but we’re here for the modern slow jam.
Dylan Reese – “do you?”
Dylan Reese took a brief hiatus following the arrival of his last album and is now back with his new single, “do you?”
Due to the demand of fans and at the request of Serbian producer, Nikola Nikolic, Reese hopped back in the booth and started creating this infectious new jam. It feels experimental, but also feels like a stripped-down version of an early 2000s record from Justin Timberlake that explores asking one’s permission to escape the friend zone. This is just the start of the newness coming from Reese this year.
Elmiene – Live From 525
Live albums reign supreme and Elmiene is cementing his stamp on R&B with his new EP, Live From 525. The nine-track project came from an impromptu Instagram Live broadcast from earlier this summer.
It features some of his classics like “Sweetness” and “Crystal Tears” along with two unreleased songs and covers from some of his favorite artists like D’Angelo, Frank Ocean, and Usher. If you have yet to check out the British phenom on the road, this is as close as you’re going to get until later this year.
Otis Kane feat. Sugar Joans – “Honey”
Otis Kane’s new duet with Sugar Joans is just as sweet and dreamy as you’d think.
It’s a love song about how pleasant and charming that feeling is. It’s soft and soul-stirring, allowing one to just sit back and daydream about dedicating the record to someone. Joans was actually the spark behind the tune as she started singing, “Honeyyy, you stick to me like Honey,” in the studio while she and Kane were contemplating ideas.
As he puts it, “The rest of the song wrote itself,” adding, “We’ve all had that intoxicating connection that isn’t perfect, but when it’s right, it is everything.” And this is definitely everything.
Gallant – “Fly On The Wall. (Osaka Version)”
As Gallant announces his new album, Zinc., he also shares his new single, “Fly On The Wall.”
The moody single is an emotive one where self-awareness prevails as he examines losing a grip on life while being “drunk on false power.” He explained in a statement, “It came together as an honest and visceral story I’d been trying to write for a long time. It’s focused on the lyrics. The chorus reminded me of saying something I regretted in the heat of the moment during an argument.”
Zinc. is the the official sequel to his debut album, Ology. As he clarified, “I saw Zinc. as the album I’d make if I had the chance to follow up my first record Ology again. It’s a fresh start without confusion and the pressures of being part of a big machine […] All that mattered was if a song spoke to me and if it reflected all of the weird things that make up who I am as a fan and as a person. I entertained myself and got a lot off my chest. I stuck to my guns and created an unfettered body of work that feels like me.”
The new LP is set for release on Sept. 27.
TeaMarrr – “CATMAN”
TeaMarrr’s new record, “CATMAN,” is a fun manifestation about the type of man who doesn’t need to be a superhero per se, but is a delightful balance of feminine and masculine energy.
“CATMAN is essentially about how exhausted I am of ‘boys,’” she explained in a statement. “It’s about finding a man that has balanced the Cat (feminine) & Dog (masculine) energy. A man that has good taste, one that is emotionally mature a man, that I don’t have to baby. One with a good sense of style and is sensitive, but also knows how to lead in situations when I can’t. I am really manifesting the ultimate partner with this record. Every girl wants a guy with money like Batman but what is the point of all the money in the world if you always feel alone with him?”
We can definitely see this becoming an inclusive anthem for anyone searching for that perfect partner.
Alexander Pierce – “Playhouse”
Alexander Pierce is a Chicago-bred, Los Angeles-based singer who just released his debut single, “Playhouse.”
He combines an enchanting, uptempo beat with incredibly introspective lyrics about how it feels to hold onto an ex for the thrill of fleeting enjoyment. It’s a chill song, perfect for summertime. It’s the lead single from his debut project, Under Pressure.
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