Alternative R&B

Brent Faiyaz has finally delivered his long-awaited third studio album Icon , released via ISO Supremacy/United Masters just in time for Valentine’s Day. Executive produced by Raphael Saadiq, the project marks a shift from Faiyaz’s signature “Toxic R&B” toward more romantic, uplifting themes. The 10-track set features production from talents including Chad Hugo, Benny Blanco, and Tommy Richman. Preceded by the chart-topping single “Have To,” Icon follows his 2022 album Wasteland and showcases a refined, love-centered evolution in his sound.

Rising Atlanta-based R&B artist imnotsyn, also known as $YN, returns with her new single “session 222,” a moody, late-night offering that blends sensuality, emotion, and noir-inspired sophistication. Originally from New York, $YN channels a coastal duality in her sound, pairing raw lyrical honesty with warm, atmospheric production. A multi-instrumentalist influenced by Miguel, Sade, and Mariah Carey, she delivers velvet-toned vocals and evocative songwriting that feels both modern and timeless.

LA-based singer-songwriter Kyla Imani unveils her seven-track EP Hills and Heartbreak , a deeply personal project shaped by love, loss, and self-discovery. Drawing from her move from New York to Los Angeles at 19, the EP blends R&B, pop, and rap through melodic hooks and reflective storytelling. The release marks a creative rebirth, including the self-produced standout “Realest One.”

As they close in on the February release of their upcoming album Waves , Grammy-nominated trio Moonchild (Amber Navran, Andris Mattson, and Max Bryk) return with the uplifting new single “Up From Here,” featuring Grammy-winning pianist Robert Glasper and Grammy-nominated rapper D Smoke. The reassuring track blends jazz, R&B, and hip-hop, anchored by a mantra-like refrain reflecting on grief, surrender, and resilience. A companion visual brings the song’s optimism to life with vibrant, communal energy.