[Latest] Quick Guide to Trends in Western R&B Music [2025]

Gas Station LoveNEW!EJ Jones

EJ Jones – Gas Station Love (Official Music Video)

EJ Jones is a young R&B singer from Memphis, known for a sound influenced by classic soul music.

He first drew attention through posts on Instagram.

His new song, released in September 2025, is another brilliant gem that fuses the feel of 1970s soul with a modern sensibility.

The track portrays a budding romance sparked by a chance encounter at a gas station.

Said to be based on his own experience, it moves from a gentle opening into a passionate chorus, leaving a strong emotional impression.

The song has been expanding its reach starting with buzz on social media, and it’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a world of soul music that feels both nostalgic and new.

Play This Song (ft. Anderson .Paak)NEW!Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey – Play This Song ft. Anderson .Paak (Official Music Video)

Mariah Carey, who has led the global music scene for many years, returns with her first album in seven years, Here for It All.

Let me introduce a track featuring Anderson .

Paak from the highly anticipated release.

As Mariah herself describes, the song exudes a comfortable “’70s vibe,” delivering supreme retro soul.

The two artists’ mature, unhurried vocals seem to sketch out a rich, music-filled moment.

Debuted on a popular TV show in September 2025, the performance sparked major buzz for their musical chemistry.

This is a perfect piece for nights when you want to dim the lights and listen closely, or for a drive with someone special.

I also recommend giving the album a spin—it’s packed with timeless appeal.

out of bodyNEW!Khalid

Khalid – out of body (Official Video)

Singer-songwriter Khalid made his debut at the young age of 18, and his 2017 album American Teen received high acclaim.

His second album, Free Spirit, topped the U.

S.

charts in 2019.

Here is one of his tracks released in September 2025.

This song is a lead single from his forthcoming album, after the sun goes down, featuring a producer emblematic of 2000s R&B and delivering a danceable sound.

The lyrics depict a sense of ecstasy—surrendering to pleasure as if the soul is slipping out of the body amid the heat of the night city—strongly evoking the theme of “liberation.” It’s a work brimming with sexy grooves, perfect for lifting your mood on a weekend night.

VacancyNEW!Ari Lennox

Ari Lennox – Vacancy (Visualizer)

Ari Lennox, an R&B singer who debuted under J.

Cole’s label and earned high praise for her May 2019 album “Shea Butter Baby,” is a leading figure in the contemporary neo-soul scene.

Following a label change, she has released this new track.

Produced by heavyweights like Jermaine Dupri, the song boasts a richly vintage sound that feels like a modern update of ’70s soul.

Its sensual, double-entendre lyrics—inviting someone over for the weekend under the pretext of home repairs—are thrillingly clever.

Bold yet cool, her vocals showcase Ari Lennox’s prowess as a singer-songwriter, making the track perfect as BGM for a slightly more grown-up evening.

So Easy (To Fall In Love)NEW!Olivia Dean

Olivia Dean – So Easy (To Fall In Love)

Olivia Dean, a graduate of the prestigious BRIT School that produced artists like Amy Winehouse, is attracting major attention in the UK.

With Jamaican roots, her musical foundation lies in neo-soul and R&B.

Her debut album Messy was nominated for the Mercury Prize in June 2023.

From her second album, The Art of Loving, I’d like to introduce a track that embodies the album’s worldview.

The record delicately captures the coexistence of the exhilaration of falling in love and the reassurance of finding someone to share your life with.

Its light, comfortable pop sound melds with her soulful vocals, resulting in a highly refined song.

It’s the kind of music that can make an ordinary day feel a little special—be sure to check it out.

CAOSNEW!Miguel

Miguel – CAOS (Audio)

Miguel, an R&B singer from California, won a Grammy for “Adorn,” a track from his 2012 album Kaleidoscope Dream, and has continued to captivate audiences with his distinctive musical style.

In October 2025, he will release Caos, his fifth studio album and his first in about eight years.

The title track marks a bold departure from his previously smooth R&B sound, embracing elements of grunge and alternative rock in a daring new direction.

Described as an attempt to sonically express rebirth amid chaos and inner turmoil, the work employs distorted guitars and noise to striking effect, while his beautiful vocals pull everything together.

It’s a project that rejects simply recreating past hits, conveying a strong determination to carve out new horizons.

Safe (feat. Kehlani)Cardi B

Cardi B – Safe (feat. Kehlani) [Official Music Video]

Cardi B, a female rapper who commands massive support with her hard-hitting lyrics and powerful flow.

This track, included on her first album in seven years, “Am I the Drama?”, stands apart from her previous image, rendered as a mellow R&B number.

Reuniting with singer Kehlani, it paints a dramatic portrait of raw, fragile emotions swaying between trust and betrayal in a relationship.

Since it’s their first collaboration since “Ring” from her debut album “Invasion of Privacy,” fans are even calling it “Ring 2.

0.” With the two artists’ expressive vocals intertwining, this bittersweet and beautiful song is sure to gently accompany you on a sentimental night.