Top 20 Indie R&B Albums of 2021

Singer and songwriter Phabo’s debut album, Soulquarius, harks back to the pioneering classic soul and R&B sounds of artists like D’Angelo and Questlove – the original Soulquarians – drawing influences from the rotating collective of experimental Black music artists in the late 90’s and early 00’s while also incorporating contemporary R&B. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music.

London-based musician and poet Arlo Parks’ new album Collapsed in Sunbeams is a series of vignettes and intimate portraits surrounding her adolescence and the people that shaped it. It is rooted in storytelling and nostalgia. The album is an emotional rollercoaster of heartbreak, beautiful poetry, betrayal and hope that has been inspired by Allen Ginsberg, Sylvia Plath, Jim Morrison and Fela Kuti. One listen and you will fall in love. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or purchase on Bandcamp.

Canadian vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Charlotte Day Wilson is one of the most promising new acts in R&B since H.E.R.. With roots ranging from R&B to folk, her soulful, singular voice and timeless sound garnered global attention her album ALPHA proves exactly why she was one to watch, Charlotte displayed a crystalline statement of intent with stirring demonstration of power and poise on this record that was refreshing to put it mildly. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or purchase on Bandcamp.

Los-Angeles-based recording artist, instrumental, and producer Otis Kane is one of the hardest working independent R&B acts in the game right now. Now with four solo projects under his belt, his debut Purple BLUE was one of the strongest showings for the singer. The 13-track project featuring guest appearances by BALLITECHNIS and Chloe Angelides, proves Kane is here to stay. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or Soundcloud.

British singer and songwriter Cleo Sol returns with her sophomore album Mother. The 12-track project produced by her longtime collaborator Inflo includes a few hidden tracks inspired by Sol’s journey into motherhood. It's reflective, intimate and private and just as essential as her debut album. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or purchase on Bandcamp.

soft thing is a beautiful outpouring of heart-on-sleeve feeling. The follow-up to last year's debut EP, on soft thing, Canadian singer and songwriter LOONY doubling down on herself while exposing a trove of deep emotions to the world. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music.

Baltimore-raised, Los Angeles-based artist serpentwithfeet album, DEACON, is not only imagining but exploring a world wherein Black love is paramount. It’s a study rather than a story delving into Black, gay love and the tenderness present in the best companionships, romantic or otherwise. DEACON allows compassion to be the backbone of serpent’s art as he communes with his most loving self. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or purchase on Bandcamp.

Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter, Eric Bellinger’s new New Light showcases a side of the singer that has yet to be seen and features appearances Brandy, Sevyn, Dom Kennedy, Teedra Moses, Kierra Sheard, and more with production by Zaytoven, OG Parker, Rodney Jerkins, Ayo & Keyz, and Jazze Pha this album is a “reintroduction” to the singer. “During the process of making this album, I found a new understanding of peace, my approach on this project was completely different from all my other albums, pushing me to move beyond my comfort zone, expanding my ability to grow,” says Bellinger of the album. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music.

After the breakout success of her singer, songwriter, and producer Felicia Temple’s 2014 EP Bedroom Chronicles looks to pick up on the sultry project’s storyline with sequel Bedroom Chronicles 2 . With hit single “It’s Your (Own It)”, this project brings the Teaneck native back to her sonic roots. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or Soundcloud.

Third time’s a charm for Long Island native singer, songwriter, and producer Mac Ayyres. Following the release of his debut album Something to Feel in 2018, he has hit the ground running and his latest EP Magic 8ball is just another showing of his dreamy talent. With just 8-tracks and one lonely guest feature on the project, Ayres shines bright of the leader of modern lo-fi R&B music. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music.

Singer and songwriter Jenevieve’s debut EP Division was a strong rookie showing for the Miami native. With breakout singles such as “Baby Powder,” “Résumé” as well as “Eternal,” there’s no surprise as to why she has quickly become a fan favorite for R&B lovers. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music.

Recording artist Reggie Becton’s sophomore album California was three years in the making and is his rawest work to date. The album is a narrative of Becton’s journey to the golden state to pursue his passion for music. Across the 12-tracks, Becton weaves together his struggles while embracing his personal growth. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music.

Deadpan Love, the debut album from Cleveland born, NYC-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, singer-songwriter, and artist Cautious Clay warps influences from R&B, Hip-Hop and pop. In Cautious’ trademark sophisticated songwriting and jazz- and blues-inflected instrumentation, “Deadpan Love explores the ways I cope with the worst of what humanity has to offer,” says Cautious. “It’s about opposites—having an outer layer that’s tougher, this “deadpan” state, and an inner layer of compassion, where you’re open to being there for the people you care about. It’s this warring compassion and cynicism that has empowered me to express myself through this medium.” To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or purchase on Bandcamp.

Irish singer and songwriter Cosha's debut album Mt. Pleasant is a dynamic project full of identity and self-belief. The 8-track project is dream pop wrapped in today’s modern R&B sound. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or purchase on Bandcamp.

Kyle Dion's album Sassy is a bewitching falsetto rides the buoyant groove of the production before the legendary New York rapper cuts through the swing with his signature rasp, immediately transporting us to the aughts—a time we like to believe was simpler, freer, lighter. He makes good on the sentiment, filling the album with vibrant songs that bend era and genre to his will. Sassy is a shot of unabashed joy that's right on time. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music.

A satisfying showcase of R&B that’s both sexy and sensitive, Drunken Wordz Sober Thoughtz took many forms as Sevyn Streeter responded to and evolved through life’s ebbs and flows. Featuring guest appearances from frequent collaborator Chris Brown, A$AP Ferg, BIA, Jeremih, and Dominic Scott, this is arguably Streeter’s best project to date. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music.

Atlanta-based singer and songwriter Asia Graves continues to pave a lane for herself with the release of 6-track EP If You Knew Better. With production from AVB, Clint Ford, Sangria, and Cee B The Producer, Graves showcases just how far her sound has come. Graves is the one to watch! To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music.

London-based producer and vocalist Emmavie is a back with a new EP full of collaborations, What’s a Diamond to a Baby. Across the 7-track project, Emmavie effortlessly blends together the classic sounds of neo-soul and modern R&B/trap. With guest features from ROMderful, Phonte, Saint Ezekiel and more you are transported through the creative mind of Emmavie. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or purchase on Bandcamp.

Simply calling Curtis Harding a soul man feels reductive. Harding's voice conveys pain, pleasure, longing, tenderness, sadness and strength-a full gamut of emotions. Today his voice takes on an optimistic lilt with his new album, If Words Were Flowers. Harding fuels his psychedelic sound with the essence of Soul but isn't bound by it. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or purchase on Bandcamp.

Radiating confidence and self-love, PSA sees Peyton standing in the spotlight and making herself heard. Throughout the 12-track album, listeners are taken inside the reflective world of a young woman’s attempt to comprehend love, friendship, and life itself. “Everything I’m singing feels like my thoughts are pouring out boldly to the world,” says Peyton. Peyton began writing PSA in 2018, then worked with several producers including Biako, Jay Anthony, Vicky Farewell, Julia Lewis and Keys & Krates, to bring her vision to life. To stream the album visit, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or purchase on Bandcamp.