New R&B has been dropping all month long- and honestly, it’s getting harder to keep up! Every week brings new singles, EPs, albums, returning favorites, and artists we’re just getting to know.
So, before August officially closes out, we’re pressing pause on the scrolling and pressing play on some of the music that deserves another look.
Every Friday brings another wave of releases making an immediate splash while others quietly find their way into our headphones. Rather than let some of those gems get lost in the shuffle, we put together a Press Play roundup to help you catch up.
We’re kicking things off with of the latest R&B releases from August 28, along with other notable projects that landed, then working our way back through the month. Some may already be in heavy rotation, while others may have slipped past your radar.
Either way, this is your chance to catch up, discover something new, and add a few more tracks to the playlist. And let us know what you think in the comment section below.
August 28 – Start HERE!
Wyclef Jean – “Q Theory: Quantum Leap, Vol.2”
Wyclef Jean continues his ambitious Quantum Leap journey with Q Theory, taking a bold turn into jazz. The project is his first strictly jazz album and introduces his vision of Rara Jazz, bringing together Caribbean influences, jazz fusion and sounds connected to Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. With an impressive roster of musicians—including Robert Glasper, Harvey Mason, Yussef Dayes, Theo Croker, Elena Pinderhughes, Niia and Godwin Louis—Wyclef lets the instrumentation take center stage. It’s an adventurous new chapter from an artist who has never been afraid to cross musical borders.
Erykah Badu & The Alchemist – “Before the World Blows”
After more than a decade since her last full-length album, Erykah Badu returns with a highly anticipated collaboration with producer The Alchemist. The pairing brings together two artists known for doing things their own way, resulting in a project that feels intentionally unpredictable, soulful and outside the expected R&B formula. For Badu fans, this is one of August’s essential listens.
Prince – “Timeless”
Another opportunity to revisit the artistry of Prince arrives with Timeless, a collection from the vault that adds another piece to the legacy of one of music’s most influential creative forces.
Tamia -“Forever and a Day”
Tamia returns with the kind of release that reminds us why her voice has remained so beloved across generations. “Forever and a Day” gives longtime fans something new to embrace while introducing her timeless sound to listeners who may be discovering her all over again.
Sy’rai -“Cold War EP”
Sy’rai continues to establish her own identity with Cold War. The new EP gives the emerging singer room to explore relationships, emotions and personal growth while showing more of the artist she is becoming.
Dahi -“Black Boy (Alternative)”
Producer and creative force Dahi steps forward with Black Boy (Alternative), a genre-fluid project that brings together hip-hop, alternative sounds and R&B. The project features an eclectic group of artists, including Ravyn Lenae, Elmiene, Baby Rose, Amber Mark and Fousheé, making this one worth exploring from beginning to end.
SAINt JHN – “If Tomorrow Never Comes”
SAINt JHN delivers a 10-track project that sits comfortably between hip-hop, R&B and melodic pop. With the focus remaining on his own voice and perspective, If Tomorrow Never Comes gives listeners another look at the genre-blurring artist.
AUGUST 21 — KEEP PRESSING PLAY
Eric Bellinger – “Eric Bellinger”
Eric Bellinger puts his name front and center with his self-titled album. The project gives the veteran singer-songwriter plenty of room to lean into his signature R&B sound while reflecting on love, relationships and life from a more personal perspective.
Coco Jones – “Love Me Through”
Coco Jones adds another beautiful momnet to her fgrowing catalog with “Love Me Through.” The romantic single puts her powerful vocals and emtional delvier front and center, offering aanother glimpse in the direction of her current musical chapter.
Jorja Smith – “What Are The Odds”
Jorja Smith expands her musical palette on What Are The Odds, blending her soulful R&B foundation with dance-oriented sounds and influences from the UK and beyond. It’s a project that shows Smith continuing to evolve without losing the vocal identity that first caught our attention.
Cleo Soul – “Gentlewoman”
Cleo Sol returns with Gentlewoman, bringing her signature warmth and introspective songwriting back into the conversation. Her music has always rewarded listeners who take their time with it, and this project is no different.
Destin Conrad – “ROADRUNNER”
Destin Conrad brings another fresh perspective to contemporary R&B with ROADRUNNER. The project adds Caribbean-inspired elements to his sound while keeping the intimacy and vulnerability that have become part of his musical identity.
Lucky Daye feat. Leon Thomas – “Fly U Out”
Two distinctive voices from today’s R&B landscape meet on “Fly U Out.” Lucky Daye and Leon Thomas bring their own styles to the collaboration, making it an easy addition for anyone building a playlist around smooth, modern R&B.
Q Parker -“Stare”
The 112 veteran keeps the grown-and-sexy R&B tradition alive with “Stare,” another romantic offering from one of the genre’s recognizable voices.
AUGUST 14–11
The Womack Sisters – “The Womack Sisters”
A legendary musical name gets another chapter as The Womack Sisters step forward with their self-titled project. Their sound connects the richness of soul music with a contemporary perspective, making this a release worth getting familiar with.
Arin Ray – “LIMBO” (EP)
Arin Ray returns with LIMBO, continuing his run of emotionally honest R&B. His ability to balance romance, vulnerability and smooth production remains one of the reasons his music continues to resonate.
AUGUST 13
Tinashe – “Me;atonin”
Tinashe continues building anticipation for her next era with “Melatonin.” The track offers another taste of her upcoming POPSTAR album while showing the artist continuing to play with the lines between R&B, pop and electronic music.
AUGUST 7 — DON’T SLEEP ON THESE
Ryelle – Lead Me To You (EP)
Ryélle opens an important new chapter with her debut EP Led Me To You. The Buffalo, New York artist uses the project to explore growth, purpose and the experiences that have shaped her journey. It’s an introduction to an artist who is still developing her sound—but already has something meaningful to say.
FLO – “Therapy At The Club Tour”
FLO continues proving that the R&B girl group is alive and well. Therapy At The Club gives the trio another opportunity to showcase their harmonies while putting a modern spin on the sounds that made classic R&B groups so memorable.
Ravyn Lenae – “Blue Island”
Ravyn Lenae continues to blur the lines between alternative R&B and pop on Blue Island. Her distinctive vocals and dreamy approach give the project its own atmosphere, making it a great choice for listeners looking for something outside the ordinary.
Dinner Party – “Watchur Bringing?”
For those who like their R&B with jazz, musicianship and plenty of experimentation, Dinner Party remains a group worth having on the radar. Watchu Bringing? continues that tradition of bringing different musical worlds together.
Dionne Warwick — Dwuets
There are voices that define an era, and Dionne Warwick is unquestionably one of them. DWUETS gives listeners another opportunity to hear the legendaey aingwe while celebrating a career that continues to influence generations.
A FEW MORE AUGUST RELEASES WORTH YOUR ATTENTION
Mariah Carey feat. Rochelle Jordan — “Didn’t Mean To Turn You On”
A fresh take on a familiar title finds Mariah Carey continuing to add new chapters to her remarkable catalog.
Louis York — “I Found a Home”
Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony return as Louis York with a soulful new release that points toward what’s next for the duo.
Miles Caton — “Lean On”
Miles Caton continues showing why his voice is one to keep an ear on with another heartfelt R&B offering.
Ballad — “Soul-Fi, Vol. 2″
Ballad returns with another soulful installment, bringing together contemporary production and a reflective approach to songwriting.
If August proved anything, it’s that R&B isn’t slowing down.
Maybe you caught these releases when they first dropped. Maybe you’ve been too busy keeping up with everything else. Either way, there’s plenty of August music waiting to be discovered.
So grab your headphones, turn up the volume and get caught up.
PRESS PLAY.
What August release is already in your rotation—and what did we miss?
Read more
