2022 was an outstanding year for R&B releases. Genre-shifter Robert Glasper released the third chapter of his Black Radio series, while Ravyn Lenae and SZA both returned with powerful sophomore albums.
Kehlani provides an emotionally engaging EP filled with subtleties and her signature dexterous lyricism, while FLO brings nostalgic 00s vibes with their summer EP.
1. Beyonce & Syd – PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA
Top R&B Music 2022
Overall, 2022 proved an exciting year for R&B music. Well-established artists like Beyonce, Kehlani and Ravyn Lenae released albums that kept them top of mind while emerging artists such as Ella Mai, Doechii and Jazmine Sullivan found success as new talent hit charts with hits. Duets such as Ari Lennox & Summer Walker or Kehlani & Syd provided some memorable releases this year.
Love was an overarching theme throughout 2018, as numerous variations on its exploration were explored both lyrically and rhythmically in music. New love, spiritual love and toxic love all found their place here – there was plenty of music that discussed all forms of emotion related to it in one form or another.
Beyonce’s Renaissance album offers eight soothing love ballads that showcase her vocal dexterity, but “Rhapsody of Love” stands out with its silky smooth melodic flow and romantic acoustic guitar accompaniment. It is truly one of Beyonce’s signature ballads.
Beyonce collaborated on this track with Syd, who is one of the founding members of The Internet and often contributes to Beyonce’s records. Through his perspective as an openly gay man, Syd brought an invigorating alternative that gave this track more depth and authenticity compared to any song produced without her presence.
Kehlani stands out among contemporary R&B singers by offering an upbeat take. This can be found on her latest record, Blue Water Road, which departs from its moody aesthetic to deliver her trademark lyrical dexterity with Montell Jordan sample and synth-pop influences that draw inspiration from R&B music.
2. Kehlani – BLUE WATER ROAD
Kehlani’s third album Blue Water Road takes its inspiration from Malibu’s sparkling coastal road that runs along its watershed, and offers an intriguing tour-de-force of spiritual practice and self-love in song form. A marked shift away from 2020’s It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, Kehlani shines with newfound light on this stunningly different path.
Production-wise, Pop Wansel and Happy Perez’s production plays with the bubblegum sound of 1980s R&B with playful dexterity. Even darker tracks–such as backseat fling drama “Little Story” or strip club sexual story “Any Given Sunday”–are lifted by shimmery synthesizers and champagne fizz from synthesizers and ad libs that sparkle like champagne fizz; giving this album a sound more mature than SweetSexySavage but still completely authentic.
Though some industry giants may argue that R&B has seen its day, talented new artists like Syd, Ravyn Lenae and Ella Mai are keeping it alive through excellent albums like Blue Water Road. As Doechii and Jazmine Sullivan showcase songs with soulful flair, 2022 looks set to be an exciting year for R&B music. The Class of 2021 looks set to make an enormous statement with their sophomore efforts, with artists like Ari Lennox & Summer Walker and Kehlani & Syd standing out among them as examples of no signs of genre slowing down or diminishing, only becoming more glorious as time progresses – something we couldn’t be more delighted about – thanks Kehlani for being such an outstanding role model for all of us!
3. FLO – LOSSING YOU
FLO are back with a brand-new single to relive nostalgia! Produced by Joe Gosling, MNEK & RELYT this relaxed slow jam showcases another side of their group not seen on their debut EP The Lead; their stunning female harmonies sound effortlessly smooth here while “Losing You” details their desire to let go of toxic relationships that are impeding their development in life.
FLO’s Candydrip project brings sweet melodies that perfectly encapsulate the emotional turmoil that comes with love. The album includes laidback R&B, pop and soul tracks as well as soothing lullabies paired with hard bass lines that complement transcendent vocals for an enjoyable listen. Perfect for soothing away everyday stresses!
Making love is often described as an exchange of energy between souls; India Shawn captures this idea on her sensuous four-minute track “Exchange.” The dreamy musicscape paints an irresistibly seductive picture with every note sung by Shawn’s seductive vocals; her lyrics express both sexual tension and desperation as she mourns an imminent breakup of their relationship.
Ambre’s 2022 album 3000 was an emotive and seductive journey into romantic relationships, exploring vulnerability. Her collaboration with Jvck James on “I’m Baby” captures their chemistry as lovers who have finally found enough trust between themselves to express themselves fully. Boasting a mid-tempo bedroom groove, the track feels intimate while both artists sing about trusting one another more – certainly one of 2022’s top R&B songs not to be missed out on!
4. Pink Sweat$ & Tori Kelly – LOVING U
Given today’s increasingly turbulent world, R&B remains one of the most soothing genres. Old favorites like Beyonce and SZA released albums that expanded upon traditional R&B sounds while emerging artists made waves with genre-blending collaborations or innovative takes on classic songs.
Love was the cornerstone of 2022’s best R&B songs, as singers explored all facets of it – from romantic love and spiritual connection, toxic love and heartbreak, all the way through to toxic romance and broken hearts. R&B songwriters found creative ways to capture all its depth.
Pink Sweat$ of Philly has created his latest project Pink Moon as an eight-track collection of romantic ballads dedicated to love. Featuring R&B stars like Tori Kelly, 6LACK and Sabrina Claudio among many others; “Real Thing” offers an example of such romance between him and Tori Kelly celebrating all that marriage brings.
Ravyn Lenae’s captivating vocals were one of the centerpieces of her debut album HYPNOS, which showcases alternative R&B and neo-soul elements. Lenae’s breathy falsettos and breathy ad-libs shone brightest as Lenae was supported by top producers like Monte Booker, KAYTRANADA and Steve Lacy on production duties.
Candydrip brings nostalgic 00s vibes with songs such as ‘Roll Some Mo’ and ‘Fuckin Sound’ to heartfelt tunes like ‘Compassion’ that capture the nostalgic feeling. After making it to the Top 20 on American Idol 2015, Lucky Daye went on to write songs for artists such as Boyz II Men and Ella Mai before delivering her own sultry sounds with this R&B project.
5. SIPHO – SHE MIGHT BLEED
Ravyn Lenae’s EP HYPNOS stands out in this instant-gratification culture by taking their time crafting it with care, which producers like Monte Booker, KAYTRANADA and Steve Lacy do so well by providing soft beats which let her voice drift on the breeze. From its playful opener “Fadin” through to somber “Ocean” and downright depressive “Shirt”, its emotional terrain explores life from every perspective imaginable.
She makes sure to cover every emotion imaginable and her work was clearly an act of passion for her. “She Might Bleed” is an ideal album for those searching for hope while finding their own path through life, featuring authentic samples like car door chime chimes and heavy panicked breathing to add an emotional depth and weight to each track.
FLO, an R&B diva who rose to fame through her album Closer, debuted her anticipated 5-track EP Closer this year and delivered seductive love songs that will get any couple moving in their bedroom. FLO is known for her harmonious melodies evoking nostalgic 90s vibes; since 2022 she’s collaborated with artists like PJ Morton, Lakeith Stanfield, John Legend and the late Marvin Gaye; Closer showcases that she is here to stay as she specializes in crafting seductive love songs using her sultry voice and smooth delivery – be sure to get hold of it here for your own copy today! The whole project can be purchased here!