Hidden gems of Western music. Lesser-known songs.

MajicJoe

Majic

Singer-songwriter Joe, who enjoyed overwhelming popularity in the early 2000s R&B scene.

If his musical style could be summed up in one phrase, it would be “The R&B.” His work embodies pure, classic R&B, and every track maintains a high level of quality.

A hidden gem of his is ‘Majic.

’ While Joe is known for many R&B ballads, this one is a stylish, groove-driven track.

Be sure to check it out.

TROP FRESHMonsieur Nov

MONSIEUR NOV -TROP FRESH (OFFICIEL VIDEO)

Monsieur Nobu is a French singer-songwriter with Vietnamese roots.

While he excels at classic R&B, he also releases a wide range of Black music—from neo-soul leaning toward R&B to contemporary mainstream slow jams.

One of his standout tracks is “TROP FRESH,” an R&B piece rich with neo-soul elements, crafted into an exceptionally smooth melody.

WeakEdsilia Rombley

Edsilia Rombley – Weak (Official Video)

Edrisia Lombrie is a singer-songwriter from the Netherlands.

She’s also active as a TV personality, and while it’s common to see artists who do both have somewhat lackluster musical ability, she’s the opposite—an artist with overwhelming talent.

Her track “Weak” is one of her hidden gems, and her expressive power, driven by her low-toned voice, is nothing short of stunning.

If you’re looking for a true, powerhouse vocalist, be sure to check her out.

Alguna vezKetama

Alguna vez – Ketama

This may be sudden, but are you familiar with the genre called Nuevo Flamenco? Nuevo Flamenco emerged in the 1980s; it blends traditional flamenco with contemporary styles like R&B and pop, and today it’s embraced as a popular genre in Spain.

Ketama was the first band to pioneer this Nuevo Flamenco sound, and they’re beloved as legends by the Spanish public.

One of Ketama’s classic songs is “Alguna vez,” a superb example of Nuevo Flamenco that mixes the sultriness of smooth jazz with flamenco.

Coming Back As a ManCara Emerald

Caro Emerald – Coming Back As a Man

Electro swing is a jazz genre created by Austrian music producer Parov Stelar.

It mixes swing jazz with electronic music and has gained worldwide popularity, especially in countries like Austria, the Netherlands, and France.

Caro Emerald is one of the leading singers representing electro swing.

One of her hidden gems is “Coming Back As a Man,” a masterpiece that brilliantly blends a mature atmosphere with a flashy melody.

TrilogíaDaymé Arocena

Daymé Arocena – Trilogía

Daymé Arocena is a singer-songwriter who represents Cuba.

Many of her songs focus on Santería, a Cuban folk religion, and she is held in very high regard in Cuba.

Her musicality is outstanding, distilling Afro-Cuban music into an even more avant-garde style.

A hidden gem of hers is Trilogía—a set of three pieces whose interconnections are exceptionally well crafted.

If you’re looking for serious, sophisticated music, be sure to check it out.

Burial GroundThe Decemberists

The Decemberists – Burial Ground (Official Audio)

A new song by the American indie rock band The Decemberists, released in June 2024.

This track was built around a melody frontman Colin Meloy came up with in a dream and is said to be “an anthem celebrating time spent in the graveyard.” Its bright, cheerful tone—reminiscent of The Beatles and R.

E.

M.

—and Meloy’s deft lyrics are particularly appealing.

The piece will strongly resonate with those who feel out of place in the real world and long to escape to where they truly belong.

Backing vocals by The Shins’ James Mercer add further depth to the song.