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

Little ThingsElla Mai

Ella Mai – Little Things (Lyric Video)

“3” is an EP released by UK-born R&B artist Ella Mai to celebrate her 30th birthday.

This track from the record is a sensitively crafted R&B ballad that gently weaves together everyday expressions of love.

Over soft piano tones and a laid-back beat, Ella’s velvety vocals resonate comfortably.

The lyrics highlight small acts of care and thoughtfulness toward a partner, reminding us of the importance of daily gestures in a long-term relationship.

Her first new project since the 2022 album “Heart on My Sleeve,” this EP showcases Ella’s matured sensibilities.

Brimming with the charm of this Grammy-winning artist, it’s a perfect listen for a quiet evening with someone special.

ForeverJoy Crookes

Joy Crookes – Forever (Live from the Tate Modern)

Joy Crookes is a female singer-songwriter who has gained popularity for her music rooted in British soul and alternative R&B.

With Bangladeshi and Irish heritage, she is highly acclaimed in the UK music scene—her 2021 debut album, Skin, reached No.

5 on the UK charts.

The piece she has released from her second album, Juniper, is this one.

It’s a ballad that sings of the fragility of love and life over a serene piano melody.

Informed by childhood experiences that taught her there is no such thing as “forever,” her personal sense of loss resonates deeply with listeners.

Performed at a charity event in February 2025, this song is sure to gently accompany those quiet nights when you want to sink into contemplation.

WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!RAYE

RAYE – WHERE IS MY HUSBAND! (Official Music Video)

Singer-songwriter RAY, who captured global attention by winning a record-breaking six categories at the 2024 BRIT Awards.

It’s still fresh in our minds how her debut album, My 21st Century Blues—released after going independent from a major label—was met with rave acclaim.

Featured here is the lead single from her highly anticipated second album, released in September 2025.

The track’s vibrant sound is irresistibly compelling, fusing lavish, big-band-style brass with soulful choral arrangements.

With her uniquely expressive vocals, she delivers a dramatic performance as she searches for a life partner—humorously, yet with heartfelt urgency.

It’s a gorgeous, exhilarating blend where retro flair and modern pop instincts merge to perfection—be sure to give it a listen.

REMIND MEChase Atlantic

Chase Atlantic – REMIND ME (Official Lyric Video)

Chase Atlantic, an Australian trio that blends alternative R&B and dark pop, has gained worldwide popularity.

In September 2025, they released this piece.

It’s a sentimental number that evokes unforgettable memories etched into a late summer night.

The sound—combining airy synths with a shimmering trap beat—showcases their uniquely genre-defying appeal.

Within its dreamy yet somewhat wistful mood, the vocals stir a deep nostalgia for times gone by.

This release follows their November 2024 album, “Lost in Heaven,” and is a perfect pick for those who find ordinary pop unsatisfying and want to spend the night with moody, atmospheric music.

Cry about it!Kali Uchis & Ravyn Lenae

Kali Uchis, Ravyn Lenae – Cry about it! (Audio)

Kali Uchis, who has won a Grammy for her genre-blurring blend of Latin and R&B, and Ravyn Lenae, celebrated for her elegant falsetto, have joined forces—two leading figures of contemporary R&B at last on one track.

Their new song, released as a single in September 2025, delivers a dreamy finish where their sumptuous vocals melt together over a vintage, doo-wop–tinged sound.

Lyrically, it offers a bracing dose of self-affirmation: brushing off criticism with a cool “go ahead and cry,” while celebrating a self that only shines brighter.

The track serves as an advance cut from the deluxe edition of Kali Uchis’s album Sincerely, titled Sincerely: P.

S.

, and their joint performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon generated major buzz.

It’s the kind of song you’ll want to play when you feel like praising the you who’s made it through.

Rainy DaysMariah the Scientis

Mariah the Scientist – Rainy Days (Official Lyric Video)

Mariah the Scientist is an R&B singer with a background in biology.

Despite wearing two hats, she maintains an exceptionally high artistic caliber, consistently dropping artful tracks.

This song, included on her album “Hearts Sold Separately,” fits within the album’s overarching concept of a “war of love.” Here, it takes the form of a sentimental ballad that quietly longs for rain as a prayer for inner peace.

Its richly immersive world makes it easy to see why the lead single “Burning Blue” reached No.

25 on the Billboard charts.

It’s an irresistible work for fans of introspective R&B.

RuinedMichael J Woodard

Michael J Woodard – Ruined

Released in 2023, Michael J.

Woodard’s “Ruined”—by the artist who also gained attention for making the Top 5 on Season 16 of American Idol—delicately depicts complex emotions.

While handling the sensitive theme of heartbreak, the song captivates listeners with its memorable melody.

Woodard conveys the feelings of love and separation he has personally experienced with a crystalline voice, and his sincere lyrics are sure to resonate with many.