2017 has been a great year for music and has introduced us to some of the most dynamic-sounding projects we have heard in awhile. Fall is the perfect time to add new songs to your playlist to listen to while trudging through the cold weather on campus or just relaxing at home.
Music genres are evolving, and R&B is no exception. Over the years, R&B has developed many different sounds and introduced emerging artists looking to make names for themselves in the industry.
- Brent Faiyaz
This 22-year-old Baltimore native has been making waves in the music industry since 2014, when he started releasing his music on Soundcloud. Faiyaz is one-third of the music group Sonder, made up of producers Dpat and Atu, with Faiyaz as lead vocalist. The trio released its debut EP in January, featuring songs such as “Feel” and “Too Fast,” which critics have described as sultry and relatable. On Oct. 13, Faiyaz released his highly anticipated autobiographical debut album, which takes listeners on an emotional trip as he covers topics such as lost love, dreamchasing and the ups and downs of the fast life. Faiyaz’s melodic voice and intricate storytelling paint vivid pictures of various stages through the young artist’s life. Faiyaz has been praised for his distinctive sound, which can be described as a touch of ‘90s mixed with new sounds.
- Snoh Aalegra
You might want to remember this soulful singer’s name. While people compare her to Amy Winehouse, the Swedish singer has created a sound of her own and distinguished herself from other artists. Aalegra, who describes her music as “cinematic soul,” has worked with artists such as Common and has had her song “Time” sampled on Drake’s “More Life” album. The artist released her debut album, “Feels,” on Oct. 20. It is a collection of 13 soulful tracks that will give you plenty of feels. Each song is thought-provoking and filled with emotional punches as the songstress belts over vintage beats. The No I.D.-produced album pulls inspiration from a bevy of genres with appearances from Vince Staples, Vic Mensa, Logic and more. Her aforementioned song “Time” and “Recent Times” are definitely songs you want to add to your playlist. Aalegra is currently on tour with Canadian singer Daniel Caesar.
- Sabrina Claudio
Sabrina Claudio is known for her soft, sensual ballads. The Miami-based R&B siren is fluent in dance music, and her seductive voice commands every song. Claudio’s latest release, “About Time,” will make you feel perfectly at ease, with her naturally calming sound. Her album exudes romance on tracks such as “Natural” and “Unravel Me,” while tracks such as “Used To” and “Wait” are more upbeat. Claudio started to gain a following when her song “Confidently Lost” was released. The songstress is perfect to vibe to whenever you need to relax.
- NAO
East London artist NAO comes on the scene with her heartfelt ballads as a more alternative R&B singer. NAO started sharing her music on Soundcloud in 2014 until she started to attract several music labels. She then decided to create her own label, called Little Tokyo, before eventually signing a deal with RCA Records, through which she released her debut album, “For All We Know,” on July 16. NAO’s sound can be described as retro, funk and soul. “For All We Know” shows her range, especially on songs such as “Blue Wine” and the respectfully stolen Prince song “Girlfriend.” NAO should not be ignored, and this is the perfect album for the fall.
- Daniel Caesar
Lastly is Daniel Caesar. Not inferior in any way to the rest of the people on this list, Caesar gained fans with his breakout single “Get You” featuring Kali Uchis. Other popular songs include “Violet” and “Japanese Denim.” Caesar released his debut studio album, “Freudian,” on Aug. 25 with singles such as “Blessed” and “We Find Love” cementing his project as one of the best of 2017. The Canadian crooner is currently on a worldwide tour.
Each one of these artists has his or her own sound and would be a wise choice for any playlist. The sound of R&B hasn’t ever progressed as quickly as it has this past year, and with singers like these, it never will again.
