Year in review: The best R&B albums of 2021

When Jazmine Sullivan dropped her single “Lost One” during summer 2020, it had been quite a few years since fans heard any music from her. Besides her 2017 single “Insecure” alongside Bryson Tiller, her previous studio album was 2015’s “Reality Show.” Fast forward to the beginning of 2021 and she stopped the world with the release of her EP “Heaux Tales.” Sullivan has always been known as a talented songwriter, and with these tales, she takes listeners on a storytelling journey of women’s insights on love, relationships, drunken nights, and self-worth. Each interlude has a young lady talking about her journey before Sullivan sings it in song, making listeners feel like they’re part of a Friday night girl chat. Even when Sullivan is joined with collaborators like Ari Lennox, Anderson .Paak, and H.E.R., she’s in full command of giving listeners relatable stories about love and life. The EP may only clock in at 32 minutes, but the concise storytelling leaves listeners yearning for a little bit more.

An artist announcing new music is one thing, but when an artist announces a joint album alongside another superstar, fans are typically curious how a collaboration could work. When Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak took to social media to let the world know they formed a group Silk Sonic, fans couldn’t help but wonder what a fusion of the two artists would sound like. They put their own spin on vintage soul as they invited fans inside on their debut single “Leave The Door Open," which quickly became a massive hit. With production from D’Mile and hosting duties from Parliament Funkadelic legend Bootsy Collins, fans easily knew that the duo's “An Evening With Silk Sonic” album would be inspired by the ‘70s soul and funk sounds. And they didn’t disappoint. From the summertime vibe single “Skate,” to the crooners being sprung on “After Last Night,” Silk Sonic is not only influenced by the music their parents grew up on, but the album sounds like they’ve been singing together for years.

For music lovers that follow Grammy nominations, Jon Batiste’s name came up quite a bit. The musician earned 11 nominations, more than any other artist this year, and it’s all thanks to his latest album "We Are." Batiste already had the world on notice in 2020 when he won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for the animated film "Soul." When fans listen to "We Are," one can’t just pinpoint Batiste’s music to simply R&B. He meshes a lot of the genres R&B is derived from including gospel, jazz, soul, swing, big band, and funk. That’s probably why his Grammy nominations span across a plethora of genres including classical, jazz, and American roots. Batiste takes listeners on a trip down memory lane with “We Are,” as it reflects centuries of Black music and can fulfill anyone’s taste. Some of the album standouts include “Freedom,” the Tori Kelly-assisted “Sing,” and “Tell The Truth,” which sounds reminiscent of Stevie Wonder’s “I Was Made to Love Her.” After dealing with a crazy few years, it’s nice to hear an album that’s infectious, uplifting, and joyous. “We Are” is the type of album one can play at a family function or during a breezy Sunday afternoon.

Joyce Wrice’s star is rising in the R&B world. Over the last few years, she released a couple of EPs while also collaborating with artists like Conway The Machine, Jay Prince, The Free Nationals, and Westside Gunn. On Wrice’s debut album “Overgrown,” the singer realizes her past faults, truths, and insecurities, and now she’s at a point of establishing boundaries and expectations. Assisting Wrice on her journey of growth and maturity are artists such as Freddie Gibbs, Lucky Daye, Kaytranada, and Masego. “Overgrown” is a refreshing listen as Wrice uses inspiration from the ‘90s and 2000s R&B. It also helps that the majority of the album is produced by D’Mile, known for working with the likes of Mary J. Blige, Bruno Mars, and Janet Jackson to name a few. The future of R&B is in good hands and Wrice is ready to make her mark. 

It’s been two years since Kyle Dion dropped his critically-acclaimed sweet debut album “SUGA.” For fans that have followed Dion over the years, they’re well aware of how he mixes funk and soul sounds into his music. He continues to do that on his latest album “Sassy,” but pushes more of an alternative R&B approach. It was evident on the album’s first single “Purr,” a bouncy production in which he enlists Kari Faux to complement his dreamy falsetto. Another album standout is the Channel Tres-assisted track “Fix Vision,” the perfect summertime tune about a lady catching his eye. He uses this album to take on more midtempo and uptempo R&B tracks that are perfect for a drive, a night out, a party, or a kickback. Dion is cool, confident, and definitely sassy, as he makes art on his own terms and has no problem taking risks. After a crazy 2021, “Sassy” is the type of album to put listeners in a better mood.

Just two years after her previous album “Ugh, Those Feels Again,” Snoh Aalegra returns with her third album “Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies.” Over the course of her career, Aalegra has worked with longtime collaborator No I.D., which is often some of her best work to date. No I.D. once again brought his genius to Aalegra’s songs like “Lost You,” in which the singer longs for a past lover, and “We Don’t Have To Talk About It,” which focuses on commitment fears. Aalegra’s magic is her smooth tone as she puts her vulnerability on display about the ups and downs of relationships. Some of the album standouts include The Neptunes-produced track “In Your Eyes” and “In The Moment,” a sweet collaboration alongside Tyler, The Creator. The latter showcases how Tyler could produce for more R&B artists in the future. Aalegra may have her temporary highs, but she could’ve easily named this album with another “Feels” title because the songs are sure to put listeners in an emotional state.

Summer Walker had quite the breakthrough album in 2019 with her debut “Over It.” When artists have such an accomplished introduction, people often wonder if their sophomore album can live up to the hype, if not better. Well, Walker delivered with her sequel “Still Over It” as she continues the theme of relationships and messy breakups. Fans know that Walker is singing about her ex London on Da Track, and she has no problem letting people know how he messed up. By looking at the tracklist, the album features narration from Cardi B and Ciara, two artists who also have high-profile relationships, but it shows that Walker was very strategic with the messages she wants to get across. Walker shines with her storytelling, because it can be chaotic and shady at times, but also gives fans the perfect lyrics to use as social media captions. On the SZA-assisted track “No Love,” Walker sings “Come to find out you weren’t even worth my time / Tried to act like I wasn’t good enough in your eyes / Funny now that you calling, that you ringing my line." While Walker gives fans slow jams like “You Don’t Know Me” and a collaboration alongside Ari Lennox on “Unloyal,” listeners can also enjoy a couple of upbeat records like “Ex For A Reason” and “Dat Right There.”

Robin Thicke saw a lot of his success from the mid-2000s up until his “Blurred Lines” era in 2013. He took a hiatus from music over the last several years and returned with his latest project “On Earth, and in Heaven.” When artists take a lot of time in between projects, fans typically question the direction of the album and if artists can have similar success to their heyday. “On Earth, and in Heaven” showcases Thicke hasn’t lost his essence of consistency and confidence. From the album’s opening track “Lucky Star,” this is the singer that his fans fell in love with, simplistic production marrying his smooth tone. In true Thicke fashion, the singer gives fans a couple of midtempo grooves like “Hola” and the eccentric ”Take Me Higher,” his latest collaboration with Pharrell. The 11-track “On Earth, and in Heaven” makes for an easy listen that showcases Thicke in his true element.

Gallant has been a rising star in R&B for a few years now thanks to his previous albums “Ology” and “Sweet Insomnia.” He returned earlier this year with his EP “Neptune,” a title perfect for an artist with an astronomical falsetto that takes listeners to an ethereal realm of calmness, peace, and awareness. On “Neptune,” Gallant finds himself trying to navigate through relationships, he realizes his faults in the love department, leaving listeners with the hope he’ll eventually figure it out. He’s not afraid to show his vulnerability throughout the album, even on the uptempo track “Scars,” in which he sings about his partner leaving him for someone else—a bruise that doesn’t always fade away. He then teams up with sister duo VanJess on “Tries,” in which they realize how pointless it is to mend a broken relationship. The album also features collaborations with newcomer Arin Ray and veteran sensation Brandy. Perhaps “Neptune” is the perfect description for someone who’s just floating through heartbreaks.

While it’s hard to believe the world is still dealing with a pandemic for nearly two years now, it’s allowed people the time and space to focus not only on their physical health but their mental health. On JoJo’s latest EP “trying not to think about it,” the singer reflects on dealing with anxiety and depression. She displays her vulnerability and insecurities while trying to face her struggles head-on. JoJo is well aware that some people hide their battles, “trying not to think about it” is an album for people to feel like they’re not alone in overcoming their struggles. Some of the album standouts are “Dissolve,” “Feel Alright,” and “Good Enough interlude”—which should’ve been a full-length song. Sometimes a self-care album is exactly what a listener needs to help put them at ease.  

Sister duo VanJess has been releasing music since 2016, however, it seems like 2021 is when they started to get a lot more recognition. Sisters Ivana and Jessica are masters at layering their vocal tones and it’s evident on their latest EP “Homegrown.” The single “Come Over” shows the women showcasing their confidence in their sexuality and sensuality, basically being fearless in asking for what they want. On “Slow Down,” the sisters sample Lafayette Afro Rock Band’s “Darkest Light” for a sultry track about satisfying their lovers. They also experimented with more upbeat tracks like “Dysfunctional” and “Caught Up.” Throughout the project, they worked with producers such as Snakehips, Kaytranada, Devin Morrison, and TOKIMONSTA to showcase their fluid harmonies. VanJess is proof that girl groups can still be the standard.

London-born singer Sinead Harnett may not be a household name just yet, but her work is constantly proving she’s a force to be reckoned with. Her sophomore album “Ready Is Always Too Late” is the perfect offering for people questioning their relationship status. You’re ready to commit, but they’re not. Basically, using “ready” as an excuse, and Harnett realizing that she no longer wants to put in the time and energy to someone who’s unsure. On her EARTHGANG-assisted track “Take Me Away,” Harnett is all about finding comfort and peace with her significant other. Whereas on “Last Love,” she celebrates moving on from a lover, even when old feelings tend to creep up. Another album standout is “Anymore,” a collaboration with Lucky Daye that layers their vocals effortlessly, in which one isn’t outdoing the other. Harnett is confident and self-assured, and her sultry vocals mixed with lush and moody production are the perfect combination for R&B lovers.

Since he dropped his debut album in 2019, Lucky Daye has not only worked with some of the best R&B artists in the game but he’s become one of the most in-demand feature artists all year long. In addition to lending his vocals on hooks for his peers, he gifted fans with his EP “Table For Two.” The 7-track project is filled with duets alongside several female R&B sensations. Daye took some inspiration from Marvin Gaye’s 1969 duets compilation “Marvin Gaye and His Girls.” While the project centers around love, the duets aren’t necessarily love ballads. Daye teams up with singers Yebba, Tiana Major9, Mahalia, Ari Lennox, Queen Naija, and Joyce Wrice as they sing about the complications involving love. It was fitting that Daye released this compilation just a few days shy of Valentine’s Day. Not only does “Table For Two” showcase the beauty of proper duets, but it highlights the newer generation of R&B artists.

There is no doubt how the UK has been a force in the musical spaces. The R&B scene is incredibly stacked and Cleo Sol has added to it with her latest album “Mother.” Sol may be mostly known for her vocal contributions to British collective Sault, but on her latest album, fans get a better sense of her own artistry. She worked with longtime collaborator Inflo on production, who is known for his work with artists like Little Simz, Michael Kiwanuka, and Adele. Sol recently became a mother and decided to use this album as a letter of her journey to her newborn. “We Need You” is one of the album’s most endearing tracks, as she hopes her child can see beauty in the world despite the chaos. She brings gospel elements to the track as she sings, “So young, so pure / Angel, don’t ever lose yourself / In this cold, cold world.” Some of the album standouts include the guitar-driven “Don’t Let It Go To Your Head” and the orchestral soul on “Music.” Sol’s smooth tone across production driven by piano, guitar, and percussion is a perfect listen on a Sunday morning.   

After releasing several EPs and compilations over the past few years, H.E.R. finally released her debut album “Back of My Mind.” Although she dropped her YG-assisted single “Slide” back in 2019, it was 2020’s “Damage” that took the R&B world by storm. Perhaps it was the unique sample of Herb Alpert’s 1987 hit “Making Love in the Rain,” that put a lot more people on notice, making “Damage” a top 20 hit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. “Back of My Mind” continues H.E.R.’s themes of life and love. The album has features from artists like Ty Dolla Sign, Cordae, Lil Baby, Chris Brown, and Yung Bleu. She also worked with producers like DJ Camper, Cardiak, Kaytranada, Thundercat, and Hit-Boy. H.E.R. shines on tracks like "Closer To Me," "Lucky," and "Process."

Yebba has been releasing music for some time now, but this year she got a major co-sign from Drake when she was featured on the rapper’s highly-anticipated album “Certified Lover Boy.” A week after Drake’s album set timelines ablaze, Yebba released her debut album “Dawn.” The album blends the sounds of R&B, jazz, indie folk, and alternative with ethereal vocals to complement it. The album was mostly produced by Mark Ronson with features from A$AP Rocky and Smino. The variety of instrumentation on each track allows Yebba to shine the brightest, especially on songs like "Stand" and the catchy track "Boomerang." 

Terrace Martin can’t simply be looped into R&B, he’s more of a jazz musician who fuses soul and hip-hop like no other. As a producer who's worked with other artists like Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, and Kendrick Lamar, Martin is not only a student of the greats, but he brings a vibrant sound to the genre. It’s evident on his latest album “Drones” as he invites fellow collaborators including Lamar, Ty Dolla $ign, Arin Ray, Robert Glasper, and James Fauntleroy to bring his conceptual project to life. From the breezy production on "This Morning" to the stellar horn section on "Evil Eyes," Martin could easily coin a new R&B subgenre of his own.

Soulful singer Kirby returns with “Sis. He Wasn’t the One,” a sequel to her previous album “Sis.” She uses the album to discuss the trial and error of conquering love in this crazy thing called life. Kirby’s sound is a student to neo-soul greats like Erykah Badu, Angie Stone, Jill Scott, and Maxwell. On her hit single “Boyz II Men,” she’s realizing her past men haven’t been the one, and she hopes they can get their act together one day. She stresses how she’s tired of men acting like boys as she says, “Oooo, I’m too grown to be checking through your phone baby / Badu tried to warn me about these Tyrones, baby.” Kirby also shines on the album’s closer “Can We Be Friends?,” as the singer hopes she can continue a friendship with her past lover. For fans who need some lessons on love, then “Sis. He Wasn’t the One” deserves some rotation.

Soulful singer Leon Bridges crafts his albums in a way that each one sounds different from its predecessor. While his 2015 debut album “Coming Home” beamed of vintage sounds reminiscent of Sam Cooke and his 2018 “Good Thing” album highlighted more funk vibes, his latest album “Gold-Diggers Sound” showcases how he brings his soulful inspiration into the new generation. From the album standouts like the Robert Glasper-assisted “Born Again,” the Terrace Martin-assisted “Sweeter,” to the sensual “Magnolias,” Bridges’ velvety vocals make for a smooth and easy listen.

NAO has the type of high-pitched voice that intrigues a listener to her acrobatic tone. Her voice is unique enough to distinguish her from other singers. Three years since her sophomore album “Saturn,” NAO returns with her latest “And Then Life Was Beautiful,” a title that can give anyone hope while navigating a chaotic world. The first verse of the album title track reels with relatable thoughts as NAO sings, “Change came like a hurricane / 2020 hit us differently / And even though I didn’t want it / The slow life got a hold of me.” It goes without saying that life can sometimes force people to slow down, but it can be an endearing change. Another standout track is “Burn Out,” which is all about giving her energy to everybody else, but realizing she should focus on taking care of herself. She also doesn’t shy away from singing about love trials on “Messy Love” and the Lucky Daye-assisted “Good Luck.” She also teamed up with Lianne La Havas on “Woman,” in which their infectious and layered vocals are perfect for celebrating womanhood. NAO's album shows us that life can be crazy at times, but it also has beautiful moments.

Serving as a sequel to his 2017 release, Kevin Ross returns with his EP “Drive 2.” The intro gives listeners the feel of playing the radio and hearing a quiet storm mix. Whether one is parked, going for a night cruise, or sitting in commute traffic, Ross’ smooth tone can easily put listeners at ease. On “Sweet Release,” the song is filled with driving metaphors as he takes his lady for a ride. On “Looking for Love” and “Same Team,” Ross makes listeners want to fall in love. For music lovers on the journey of love, Ross' "Drive 2" is the perfect soundtrack. 

A dynamic that isn’t seen very often in R&B anymore is groups. The Shindellas are a trio hailing from Nashville, and when people hear their harmonies, other girl groups like En Vogue, Jade, and Brownstone can easily come to mind. The trio is filling a void that has been missing in R&B for quite some time. On their debut album “Hits That Stick Like Grits,” they use the intro to ask, “Why nobody’s singing like the rent’s due?” The Shindellas are well aware of how their harmonies and tone can sing anyone out of the water, the type of vocals that are taught to singers in the church. Their single “Volcano Love” sounds reminiscent of a bouncy ‘90s R&B tune. Working with musicians Chuck Harmony and Claude Kelly, a.k.a. Louis York on this debut, helped the trio present a refreshing sound that contrasts the typical R&B vibe today.  

Shelley FKA Dram was first introduced to the world in 2015 with his hit song “Cha Cha.” He then followed up with his single “Broccoli” alongside Lil Yachty. While fans were used to Shelley delivering catchy hooks, he took a different route on his self-titled album. As a means to reintroduce himself as an artist, he gives fans more neo-soul vibes. He recruits artists like Summer Walker, Erykah Badu, and H.E.R. to help showcase his soothing vocal range. While the album is quite the contrast from his jubilant singles when he first hit the scene, Shelley continues to shine with more maturity this time around. Some of the album standouts include "Exposure," "Something About Us," and "Cooking With Grease."

For listeners who love retro ‘70s soul, then Durand Jones & The Indications should be a group that stays on the radar. The Indiana five-piece band is well aware of their sound and how it's reminiscent of funk and disco artists that previous generations grew up on. The band keeps this sound on their latest album “Private Space,” which seems perfect for generations who grew up during the old school era. On tracks like “Love Will Work It Out” and “Ride or Die,” it’s evident that Durand Jones & The Indications would’ve been the perfect band to perform on “Soul Train.” Think afros, bell-bottoms, and the word scramble—the whole nine. “Private Space” is groovy and psychedelic, and sometimes fans just need music that makes them feel good and takes them back to simpler times.

While this year of R&B was mostly driven by the newer generation of artists, it’s always nice to see a few veterans getting their shine as well. That’s where Anthony Hamilton comes in. He’s been in the industry for 25 years now and he continues to gift fans with his soulful and old grit tone. His latest album “Love Is The New Black” comes five years after his previous project and Hamilton hasn’t missed a beat. Working with producers such as Jermaine Dupri, 9^th Wonder, and Cardiak this time around, Hamilton is doing what he does best—singing about a love that is soothing and comforting for the soul. Some of the album standouts include the Rick Ross-assisted track “Real Love,” as well as “Superstar,” a rendition of the hit popularized by the Carpenters and Luther Vandross. It’s no wonder that people often compare Hamilton's voice to a Southern home-cooked meal, that’s the type of comfort he brings on each album.