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 KeKe Palmer, Coco Jones, Blaq Tuexdo, Jade Novah, Trey Songz, and Lee Vasi.
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.
Keke Palmer: “125 Degrees”
Keke Palmer Turns Up the Heat with Sultry New Single “125 Degrees,” the first single from her new album comng releasing in June.
Keke is serving fire and finesse on her brand new single “125 Degrees”—a steamy, sensual track that lives up to its name.
The media mogul is gearing up to release her first project under “Big Bosses Entertainment”—a label founded in 2017 by Keke, alongside Sharon Palmer and her longtime music manager, Big Billy Clark—through a partnership with the SRG-ILS Group.
From the moment the beat drops, it’s clear she’s entering a bold new era. With lyrics that sizzle in the chorus, “I got your t-shirt and no panties on/I ain’t just acting grown/Let me get that skin-to-skin/I wanna smell like your cologne/No panties on, I let a stranger in my heart/But I really think he stole it…” the vibe is smooth, confident, and grown, finds Keke fully embracing her power and passion.
“I was writing from memory of how it is when you find an unexpected love. It lives in the excitement of what that creates in all of us the first time we met that person”, Keke says about the single.
This scorcher is the first taste of her upcoming album, expected in June, and it wastes no time turning up the temperature. With silky vocals and lyrics that drip with self-assurance, “125 Degrees” is all about heat—emotional, physical, and personal. Keke moves with intention, setting the tone for a project that feels deeply personal and proudly unfiltered.
If this track is any indication, summer’s about to get a whole lot hotter—and Keke Palmer is in full control of the forecast.
Coco Jones – Why Not More? (Album)
Coco Jones Asks Why Not More?—And Delivers a Smooth, Soulful Answer.
Coco Jones returns with her new album Why Not More?, a 14-track, 41-minute journey through the highs, lows, and layered truths of love and relationships. With her signature silky vocals front and center, Coco commands every beat and lyric with ease, creating a project that feels intimate, honest, and effortlessly soulful.
From the playful vulnerability of “Uh Oh” to the raw emotion of “The Other Side of Love,” Coco showcases a depth in storytelling that continues to set her apart. The title track “Why Not More?” featuring YG Marley brings a reggae-tinged groove to the mix, while the hauntingly beautiful piano ballad “Nobody Exists” closes the album with reflective grace.
This is not just an R&B album—it’s a sonic experience that flows like a late-night conversation, perfect for moments of solitude, self-reflection, or slow drives with the volume up. Why Not More? proves Coco Jones isn’t just asking the question—she’s answering it in real time, with style, soul, and substance.
Blaq Tuexedo: “Should’ve Seen This Coming” (Album)
Blaq Tuxedo Returns with “Should’ve Seen This Coming”
From the very first track, ‘Should’ve Seen This Coming’ hits hard—it’s a certified banger with no skips.
Grammy-winning duo Blaq Tuxedo, made up of brothers Darius and Dominique Logan, step back into the spotlight with a project that captures everything they’ve built over the past decade—and elevates it.
Known for crafting hits like Doja Cat’s viral smash “Streets” and Chris Brown’s #1 R&B single “Residuals,” the Sacramento-born, LA-based duo has long been shaping the sound of contemporary R&B and pop behind the scenes. Now, they’re taking center stage with their most evolved work to date.
‘Should’ve Seen This Coming’ is a confident, no-holds-barred showcase of soulful melodies, razor-sharp writing, and next-level production. It reflects their journey—balancing love, growth, industry lessons, and pure artistry.
Building on past projects like ABA (Art by Accident) and collaborations with Ty Dolla $ign, Bibi Bourelly, and Eric Bellinger, this album proves Blaq Tuxedo isn’t just back—they never left.
Jade Novah: “90’s Fine”
Jade Novah Channels Pure Nostalgia on “90’s Fine”
Jade Novah has a gift for blending timeless vibes with fresh energy, and her new single “90’s Fine” is no exception. Inspired by the golden era of R&B, the track feels like a top-down cruise along the coast—breezy, sensual, and effortlessly smooth.
Novah took to IG to share the inspiration behind the track: a nostalgic mash-up of SWV’s “I’m So Into You” and Tamia’s “So Into You.” The result? A refined groove with a modern twist, where every note feels familiar yet brand new.
With lyrics like “I feel your energy” and the bold line “No filter—90’s fine,” Novah leans into the warmth and confidence of that era while making it her own. Her vocals—light, polished, and undeniably soulful—glide over the beat with ease, proving once again that she knows how to craft music that moves both heart and body.
Thoughtful, elegant, and nostalgic in all the right ways, “90’s Fine” is another gem from an artist who should always be on your radar.
Trey Songz: “Gimme Me A Chance”
Trey Songz Doesn’t Just Ask—He Asserts on “Gimme A Chance”
Trey Songz returns with “Gimme A Chance,” a bold and emotionally-charged single that proves his voice—both literally and metaphorically—is as sharp as ever. Riding the momentum of his current 25+ city tour, this track doesn’t play it safe. It’s smooth, sincere, and deeply personal.
With vocals that are tight, textured, and unmistakably Trey, he brings a vulnerability that feels raw without losing its edge. The production is polished but not overpowering, leaving space for his words to land—and they do. Whether he’s speaking to love lost, personal redemption, or reclaiming his place in the culture, Trey sounds focused and fearless.
“Gimme A Chance” isn’t a plea—it’s a statement. It echoes the sentiment of someone who’s owned his scars, learned from them, and is ready to move with purpose. It’s for anyone who’s ever had to fight to be seen in a new light.
This isn’t just a comeback—it’s a call to listen closer.
Lee Vassi: “He Is”
Lee Vasi Unveils Heartfelt New Single “He Is” as She Joins Capitol Christian Music Group.
Vasi is making waves in the Christian R&B scene with her deeply moving new single “He Is.” The track not only marks a major milestone in her career but also kicks off her exciting journey with Capitol Christian Music Group/TAMLA Records.
With her debut album Love Me to Life on the horizon, “He Is” offers a glimpse into the powerful artistry and raw emotion that Lee has become known for.
Known for her unfiltered vocals and honest storytelling, Lee continues to break barriers in Christian music by blending soul, vulnerability, and spiritual authenticity. “He Is” is a beautiful expression of divine love and reassurance, delivered with poetic lyricism and a vocal performance that speaks straight to the heart. The song touches on themes of seeking validation and finding true peace through faith, reminding listeners of the strength and comfort that comes from a relationship with God.
Lee Vasi is poised to redefine the landscape of Christian music, and “He Is” is just the beginning.
