For the third year in a row, we write this piece with a better story to tell about the ‘State of R&B music’ than the year before. Last year, we gushed about the unexpected (commercial) success of Sza’s CTRL, in spite of her feature on our ones to watch list. This year has seen more names from R&B / Soul music get their big breaks.
We first wrote about Ella Mai back in November 2016 and it was incredible watching her score a top 10 hit with Boo’d Up and follow with her self-titled album debuting at number 5 of the Billboard 200 chart. Anderson .Paak’s Oxnard also claimed a #11 spot on the Billboard charts. Both artists have racked up an impressive amount of 2019 Grammy nods and contemporary R&B luminary, H.E.R. received a stunning 5 nominations prior to releasing a debut commercial album.
Clearly, commercial and critical success doesn’t make good music, but brilliant artists receiving recognition and success for making great music keeps good music alive. And it’s why we exist.
Still, great R&B music is still too often sidelined, especially this side of the pond. All of the artists mentioned above have seen their success stateside. Most of our list therefore features UK-based singers whose albums didn’t quite receive the shine their musical efforts deserved. So without further ado, here are the 14 albums (and EPs) you probably haven’t heard but should be spinning all 2019.
ames Vickery
Until Morning
Starting off with the EP from one of UK RnB’s most promising up and comers. Until Morning is the sophomore project from Londoner, James Vickery who’s steadily been picking up steam for his distinctively soulful vocals.
Vickery has cited vocal influences including Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder. “I’ve always loved hearing big and powerful voices and tried to emulate [them] that as I grew up”. And the man does quite the job emulating. Until Morning is his finest examplar yet of his devotion to Neo-Soul. Love-soaked lyrics delivered with tenderly lush vocals on the smoothest production.
Amber Mark
Conexao
Over on the other side of the pond, New Yorker Amber Mark crafted the one of the year’s best musical efforts, even if only 4 tracks long. Channelling her childhood experiences travelling with her mother globe-round, Conexaomasterfully brings together the best of R&B, Brazilian Bossa Nova and contemporary pop music. It showcases the most impressively textured, entirely self-produced soundscapes whilst chronicling a relationship from bloom to bust.
Featuring a Sade-endorsed cover of Sade’s 1998 Love is Stronger than Pride, Conexao deftly cocktails influences and is all the more impressive when Mark’s 24 years is appreciated. Conexaoimpresses artistic brilliance way beyond Amber’s years. An artist confident and adept existing in nuances between genres. Don’t sleep on this 4 track power-packed project that has earned Amber her first Grammy nomination
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