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The AllMusic 2021

Year In Review

R&B felt like it split in two parallel directions in 2021 with some artists like Leon Bridges, Silk Sonic (pictured), and Celeste paying tribute to classic soul sounds, while acts such as Hiatus Kaiyote, Rochelle Jordan, and The Steoples explored new territory incorporating electronic, avant, and otherworldly sounds.

Aaron Frazer

Introducing...

The falsetto crooner and drummer behind soul revivalists Durand Jones & the Indications offers up a tightly crafted and pleasing debut.

Adrian Younge

The American Negro

Poignant and riveting reflection on the effects of racism, featuring the producer's typically vivid fusion of vintage soul and jazz.

Anthony Hamilton

Love Is the New Black

Returning from a long break between albums, the singer begins his independent phase with help from Jermaine Dupri on several highlights.

BeMyFiasco

Where I Left You

Replayable first LP from R&B singer/songwriter Bianca Rodriguez, executive produced by Phonte of Little Brother and the Foreign Exchange.

Bruno Mars / Anderson .Paak / Silk Sonic

An Evening with Silk Sonic

Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak push each another to new levels of showmanship on this duly entertaining half-hour of feel-good throwback R&B.

Celeste

Not Your Muse

Fine LP of vintage-current R&B from a subtly distinct artist who has been on the rise for over half-a-decade.

Cleo Sol

Mother

Expansive yet concentrated second solo album from the singer/songwriter, supported again by Sault partner Inflo.

Curtis Harding

If Words Were Flowers

The vocalist and songwriter once again mines R&B's past and present for a set of songs offering love to a world in need.

Dawn Richard

Second Line

The New Orleanian dynamo proudly reps her region, state, area code, and even home on her first Merge album.

Durand Jones & the Indications / Durand Jones

Private Space

The band advances on their pleasurable third album with lush ballads and robust disco grooves.

Georgia Anne Muldrow

Vweto III

The prolific Ms. One puts a glide in your stride with her richest (predominantly) instrumental LP yet.

Hiatus Kaiyote

Mood Valiant

Six years after earning their second Grammy nomination, the Australian avant-soul band delivers a taut and stirring third album.

Jazmine Sullivan

Heaux Tales

A frank, wide-ranging EP from the Grammy-nominated powerhouse.

Jeb Loy Nichols

Jeb Loy

Backed by Cold Diamond & Mink, the ex-pat singer-songwriter reflects on "big trouble" through a rich meld of soul, Americana, and balladry.

Jon Batiste

We Are

The Late Night bandleader crafts an uplifting album of genre-bending soul and R&B.

K, Le Maestro

Whip Music

Chiseled synth funk LP from the London-based Kinshasan, previously known more as a hip-hop producer.

Kenneth Whalum

Broken Land 2

Tranquilizing ballads from a singer, songwriter, and producer known for his extensive resumé as a tenor saxophonist.

L'Rain

Fatigue

Taja Cheek's stunning, genre-blurring second album reflects on personal loss and coping with change.

Leon Bridges

Gold-Diggers Sound

The likes of We Are King, Robert Glasper, and Terrace Martin help the soul singer stretch out on his most modern-sounding album yet.

Lucky Daye

Table for Two

Neatly bundled set of balanced duets between the Grammy-nominated singer and the likes of Yebba, Mahalia, and Joyce Wrice.

Mayer Hawthorne

Rare Changes

Andrew Cohen continues to progress under his soul-rooted guise with his fifth LP, which collects meticulously crafted songs issued in 2019 and 2020.

Mndsgn

Rare Pleasure

Ringgo Ancheta offers benevolent companionship across breezy soul ballads aided by Kiefer, Carlos Niño, and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, among other musicians.

Nao

And Then Life Was Beautiful

The third album from the Mercury Prize- and Grammy-nominated R&B artist foregrounds her uncommonly lithe soprano vocals.

Peyton

PSA

The highly replayable debut album from the Stones Throw signee is full of intimate and offbeat R&B.

Robin Thicke

On Earth, and in Heaven

Impressive and stirring independent return from the singer, his first album since 2014.

Rochelle Jordan

Play With the Changes

Assisted by KLSH, Jimmy Edgar, and Machinedrum, the progressive electronic R&B specialist hits her stride by integrating house, garage, and drum'n'bass.

Sault

Nine

The group's fifth album since 2019 centers grim street life with a mix of empathetic ballads and brawling rhythms.

Snoh Aalegra

TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES

The singer's third album of nuanced, low-profile R&B navigates romantic turbulence with a high level of appeal.

Summer Walker

Still Over It

The R&B singer/songwriter's second album is filled with aching if resolute ballads and contains the Top 40 hit "Ex for a Reason."

Tall Black Guy / Zo!

Abstractions

The producers drop the top for a quick joyride with the likes of Josh Milan, Omar, Phonte, and BeMyFiasco.

Terrace Martin

Drones

The likes of Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and Kamasi Washington join the Grammy-nominated musician/producer on his first proper LP in five years.

The Steoples

Wide Through the Eyes of No One

GB and Yeofi Andoh's second album of heady avant-soul celebrates the sharing of space and life itself.

Tinashe

333

Seven years after her commercial peak, the singer reaches an artistic high with a wide-ranging and authoritative fifth album.

Wayne Snow

Figurine

Lovely set of atmospheric R&B from the Berlin-based Nigerian singer/songwriter.

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Be My Fiasco