New Music Friday: RAYE, Elmiene, Bellah, Jozzy and More
This week brought a strong wave of new music across singles, EPs, and full-length albums. With Spring and Summer right around the corner, it feels like artists are starting to ramp things up, giving us plenty of music to add to our playlists. And if this week is any indication, there’s even more on the horizon.
Here are some of the highlights that stood out to me.
One of the more unique releases this week comes from RAYE with her album THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. The project feels very thematic, almost like each track was designed to be performed on a stage. There’s a theatrical element to the sound, and you can almost visualize each song as part of a larger story unfolding.
Elmiene follows up with his sophomore album sounds for someone, and he picks up right where he left off. The vocals are as strong as ever, and the songs carry that same emotional weight that made his earlier work stand out.
Bellah continues her momentum with State Of Emergency Vol. 1. Coming off the success of “Typical” with DESTIN CONRAD, this eight-track project builds on that same vibe and shows her consistency as an artist.
Another album worth checking out is soundtrack 2 Get Her Back from Jozzy. The project leans into 90s-inspired R&B, and she brings in two artists synonymous with that era — Mary J. Blige and Jon B. — which helps reinforce that nostalgic feel.
On the EP side, Jessie Reyez delivers $till Paid, a five-track project that offers a mix of styles. Some tracks lean into her singing/rapping blend, while others focus more on her vocal delivery, and the closing track brings a more upbeat, reggaeton-inspired energy.
On the singles front, Isaia Huron drops “this girl wants everything,” a melodic and emotional record that touches on the challenges of dealing with a demanding relationship.
Eric Bellinger continues his consistent run with “Cry In Front Of You.” There’s a bit of an 80s soul influence here, and it adds a nice texture to his already polished sound.
Luna Elle delivers the remix to “AMPM,” this time featuring Foggieraw. His smooth, almost spoken-word style fits seamlessly into the track and complements the original vibe well.
Jay Kent returns with her first single of the year, “Benz Baby.” It’s a smooth, modern R&B track that continues to build anticipation for a full project, which I’m definitely hoping we get sooner rather than later.
Jenevieve also makes her return with “Waiting Room,” featuring Jordan Ward. After her CRYSALIS album last year — which was one of my personal favorites — this is a welcome release that stays true to her signature sound and vibe.
Rounding things out, producer Kaelin Ellis teams up with Madison McFerrin and SWEATA on “Hello.Morning.” Sampling “Morning Sunrise” by Weldon Irvine, the track offers a fresh and vibey reinterpretation of a classic, showing how timeless that original record really is.
These are just some of the highlights from this past week of releases. As always, be sure to check out the RnB Pulse playlist to stay up to date with even more new music that dropped this week.
