Welcome back to the soulful world of R&B! As we roll through another week, the genre continues to evolve with fresh sounds and unforgettable melodies.
From chart-topping hits to rising stars making their mark, this week’s releases are full of smooth vibes and heartfelt lyrics. Whether you’re vibing to a sultry slow jam or a bouncy anthem, there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive into the hottest new tracks that are going to dominate your playlists and shape the future of R&B.
This Fresh Finds Fridays column features releases from Mya, Tiana Major9, Tyla, , Raiche, S!MONE, Kali Uchis and Joe Leone.
Whew! This week’s drops are doing exactly what R&B is supposed to—make us feel something. Add these to your playlists, turn the lights low, and let the vibes take over.
Whether you’re healing, vibing, or just trying to feel seen, there’s something here for you.
Which one are you spinning first? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments.
MYA: “Face To Face”
Grammy-winning artist and R&B icon Mýa is back with a deep self-reflective new track, “Face to Face,” released via her own label Planet 9 in partnership with Virgin Music Group.
Dropping during Mental Health Awareness Month, this soul-touching single marks a bold moment of inner reckoning for the songstress.
With its smooth, bass-rich production courtesy of Lamar “MyGuyMars” Edwards, Mike & Keys, and Mýa herself, the track blends timeless R&B tones with contemporary embodiment textures.
Built on a sample of the SOS Band’s classic “Tell Me If You Still Care,” Mýa modernizes a classic while digging deep into personal truth. It feels like a late night talk with your higher self. “I’ve been dodging truth, now I’m staring it down,” bringing grace and grit to her introspective journey.
Her vocals are clear, rich, and rooted—serving both as a confession and a call to action. She sings,
“Face to face (yeah) Face to face/Looked in the mirror, I confronted all my fears—had a Face to face (yeah) Face to face…”
The lyrics cut through the noise, calling for self-awareness, spiritual honesty, and personal accountability.
“Face to Face” is more than just a song—it’s a meditation. It asks us to slow down, remove the mask, and sit with who we really are. Mýa isn’t just talking about her own path—she’s holding up a mirror for all of us to do the same.
With this release, she continues to evolve not just as an artist, but as a guide for those navigating the messy but necessary work of inner healing.
It arrives just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month, reminding listeners that growth starts within. “Face to Face” is a mirror, a meditation, and a reminder that healing starts by getting honest—with God, and with yourself. The song is a lush blend of past and present.
“…Get your mind right (mind right)/ Dip off, just you and no one else (else)/ Pack real light (real light) /Save space for you to meet yourself…”
Since bursting onto the scene in the late ‘90s with classics like “It’s All About Me” and “Case of the Ex,” Mýa has stayed true to her artistry while steadily reinventing her sound. Whether it’s her silky vocals, empowering lyrics, or graceful presence, she’s built a legacy grounded in independence, intention, and soul.
Now more than ever, Mýa is embracing her truth—taking full control of her creative process through her label Planet 9, mentoring the next generation of artists, and using her platform to advocate for mental wellness, self-love, and spiritual growth.
Fans can expect more from her this year, including exclusive performances, intimate shows, and more music that heals, empowers, and uplifts. With “Face to Face,” she proves that maturity in music doesn’t mean slowing down—it means going deeper.
Tiana Major9: “Money”
Tiana Major9’s returns with a hit, a soulful nerve with “Money”
After a brief hiatus, East London’s own Tiana Major9 is back—and she’s bringing the kind of soul-searching heat only she can deliver. Her new single, “Money,” is more than a track; it’s a vulnerable unraveling of self-worth, success, and the tangled feelings tied to financial independence.
Laid over smooth jazz-inspired guitar riffs and light-as-air production, Tiana’s voice melts through the track like spring sunlight—warm, unhurried, and deeply honest. “Money” captures the emotional weight of navigating her life as an artist and a person, to an adult success story, with lyrics that read like a conversation with herself: part therapy, part confession, part breakthrough.
Known for blending jazz, R&B, and that unmistakable UK soul flavor, Tiana reminds us why she’s one of the most compelling artists in the game. And after working with giants like Stormzy and Bryson Tiller—and earning a GRAMMY nod along the way—this new chapter is clearly all hers.
Independent. Reinvigorated. Tiana Major9 isn’t just back—she’s evolving, and we’re lucky to witness it.
Tyla:”Bliss”
Tyla radiates joy o new single “Bliss”
Tyla is back, glowing with romantic joy on her upbeat new single “Bliss.”
Set to a breezy tempo, the song captures the fluttery feeling of falling fast and fearlessly. She sings, “I don’t wanna be in the world without you
Baby, / I don’t wanna let you out my sight / I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna ever break away from you/ Or the light might go away, / I need you in my life…”
Her voice? Smooth like silk, sweet like summer.
“Bliss” is pure dopamine—light, radiant, and filled with the thrill of being wrapped up in love.
It’s a perfect anthem for carefree days and flirty nights.
Raiche: “Standards” Album
Raiche embraces new Life in just released EP “Standards.”
Raiche steps into a new chapter with Standards, a tender and reflective EP that marks both artistic and personal transformation. Arriving just in time for Mother’s Day, the project captures the emotional layers of love, growth, and becoming a mother—just as she prepares to welcome her baby boy with Teddy Swims.
“Hello Darlin’” Is Raiche’s Heartfelt Letter to her son bathed in soft, soulful tones, “Hello Darlin’” feels like a melodic whisper to the future. Raiche turns vulnerability into poetry, writing a lullaby wrapped in warmth and honesty. It’s the kind of track that lingers in your spirit long after it fades.
From Healing to Hope: Raiche’s Artistic Shift in Standards following her 2024 project ‘Making Room’, Raiche returns with a deeper sense of self. Where past work unpacked heartbreak, Standards is all about inner peace and soft power. This EP is Raiche blooming in real-time.
Setting the Tone: “Standards” Redefines What Love Looks Like:
The title track of Standards is more than a song—it’s a statement. Raiche lays out the blueprint for love that honors boundaries and builds trust. A soulful manifesto for anyone rewriting their story with clarity and care.
S!MONE: “Endless” Single/ Vide0
S!MONE delivers cinematic soul in striking “Endless” video
Rising R&B artist and Bel-Air star S!MONE returns with a stunning visual for her latest single, “Endless,” lifted from her debut album MAGNET. Shot entirely in black and white, the video is a masterclass in mood, intimacy, and aesthetic precision.
Directed by Ryan Postas with S!MONE at the creative helm, the visual takes cues from old Hollywood while staying rooted in modern vulnerability.
Throughout the clip, S!MONE cycles through a series of elegant wardrobe changes, each outfit reflecting different emotional layers of the story she tells — from longing and frustration to acceptance and clarity.
“Endless” explores the weariness of emotional cycles and the quiet power of choosing self-worth. Backed by a minimal yet moody groove produced by Haze, her vocals soar with raw honesty as she sings, “I’m not spinning anymore.”
With MAGNET, S!MONE has carved out a lane that feels equal parts classic and futuristic. Keep your eyes on her — she’s just getting started!
Kali Uchis: “Sincerely” Album
Kali Uchis wears her heart in harmony on new album“Sincerley”
Kali Uchis’ new album “Sincerely” is a love letter stitched together with passion, melody, and elegance.
From the first notes on tracks #1 & 2, “Heaven Is Home,,” and “Sugar! HOney! Love!,” Kali’s hypnotic vocals wrap around lush instrumentation, delivering stories of longing, love, and liberation.
With 14 tracks stretched across 50 rich minutes and 51 seconds, the album feels like a slow-burning candle—soft, intentional, and lit with heart.
Kali’s signature dreamy sound remains her anchor as she glides between genres with ease. It’s sensual, spiritual, and soaked in emotion.
Joe Leone: “Discipline”
Joe Leone kicks off 2025 with “Discipline,” a sultry slow-burn that unpacks the battle between self-control and emotional surrender.
Written with Felly The Voice and produced by DJ Camper, the track drips with sensual tension. Joe’s velvet vocals float over minimal, late-night production, blending smooth harmonies with raw spoken-word honesty.
It’s a perfect companion to his run on the ‘October Nights: Calling All Lovers’ tour alongside October London, Tamar Braxton, and Ro James.
“Discipline” captures the tug-of-war of romantic chaos—where temptation wins every time.
Leone proves he’s not just opening for stars—he’s becoming one.
