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THEY., Ariana Grande & H.E.R. Hold Down This Week’s “R&B Season” Playlist
As we do each week, we round up some of the best new drops in the world of R&B for our weekly R&B Season Playlist on Spotify. Now that we’re deep into October, and inching closer and closer towards the end of the year, artists aren’t allowing the pandemic to hold them off any longer from releasing new music.
This week, we received a brand new project from THEY. who have been steadily teasing new music throughout the year. The Amanda Tape, specifically, is a body of work that fans have been longing for. It arrived in its entirety with appearances from Tinashe, Juicy J, and Wale. Still, one of the many highlights of the project is the intro, “The Moment.” The trap-esque production by Dante Jones is met by the smooth vocals of Drew Love for an infectious R&B banger to kick off the project.
H.E.R. also slid through with some new heat this week. Bringing a familiar sense of soul by sampling “Making Love in the Rain” by Herb Alpert, Lisa Keith and Janet Jackson, H.E.R.’s “Damage” is a warm record filled with passion and soul.
Meanwhile, we’re also anticipating a new album from Ariana Grande soon. Though often regarded as a pop singer, she’s been getting deeper in her R&B bag over the past few years. This week’s release of “positions,” the title track of her upcoming project, is a promising look into what she has up her sleeve on her forthcoming project.
Check out our R&B Season playlist update below.
Follow our Wake & Bake playlist here.
Follow our G.O.O.D. Music playlist (for a GOOD ASS FRIDAY) here.
Artist Spotlight
E.G. Phillips unveils where silence speaks the loudest on new release “Empathy for the Night Fly”
The mood of E.G. PHILLIPS’s “Empathy for the Night Fly” is instantly cinematic, dark, introspective, and frozen in time. The track sounds like a scene from a late-night club where everything slows down just enough for feelings to come out. The arrangement is jazz-like in that it lets each part breathe. The arpeggiating Rhodes piano comes and goes, giving the impression that the music is thinking, as if it’s moving.
The song is really about recognition, which is when you hear something in someone else’s voice that reminds you of your own experience. It’s subtle, almost fragile, but it has a big effect on people. That emotional connection is what holds the piece together.
That choice seems deliberate, even defiant. It asks the listener to pay attention differently, not just passively. Every break is a part of the story. E.G. Phillips doesn’t just make the mood; he keeps it going. In that space, “Empathy for the Night Fly” becomes a quiet, powerful look at memory, connection, and shared feelings.
Connect with E.G. Phillips on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube
Artist Spotlight
Firecamino maintains folk storytelling with new release “Juan The Baptist”
“Juan the Baptist” is a stunning single by Firecamino, blending vivid storytelling with charming melody. The laid-back indie song with folk and country influences sounds like an ancient story told around a campfire after a long night.
The song’s central character is a misguided hero, vulnerable and human. Firecamino emphasizes imperfection over perfection, creating a relatable protagonist. That storytelling gives the song a cinematic, intimate feel.
“Juan the Baptist” handles several musical influences well. Folk-inspired writing and country textures add emotion and familiarity. Meanwhile, the cool indie vibe smooths the edges and lets the track flow naturally without being dramatic.
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