The best albums and EPs you need on your spin list from 2020. Featuring Teyana Taylor, Brent Faiyaz, Ego Ella May, Gaidaa and more.
2020 has in many ways been a year like no other. From the numerous lockdowns here in the UK, to a complete change in the way we live, it’s been a whirlwind. Thankfully, one of the most consistent things has been the brilliant music produced throughout the year, in many cases delivered through albums. This was especially the case in Soul, Jazz & R&B.
In 2020, Soul, Jazz and R&B artists have delivered exceptional projects, albums and EPs alike, that produced a slew of songs that kept us going through the many seasons, quarantines, lockdowns, tiers and more. Artists took the tough year and turned it into great music and for that, we’re forever grateful. So getting to it. The 15 best Soul, Jazz and R&B albums of 2020 you need on your spin list.
Cleo Sol – Rose In The Dark
Cleo Sol, the London born singer-songwriter whose unique brand of soul simply pierces the heart, blessed us with by far one of the stand out albums of 2020.
Rose In The Dark is soul music at its finest with Cleo’s voice dazzling throughout. Lyrically and melodically, she paints intensely vivid images laced over smooth soulful production which delights throughout. The 11-track album lasts just under 40 minutes is yet again another example of a project from the next gen that is doing justice to Soul and R&B.
Sounds like…
An eclectic amalgamation of Blues mixed with contemporary Soul.
Speaks to…
True lovers of early 2000s Neo-Soul lovers who appreciate an artist brave enough to share their introspective perspective.
Start with…
When I’m In Your Arms
Kehlani – It Was Good Until It Wasn’t
After blessing us with her 9 track project While We Wait in 2019, a lot changed for Kehlani between then and the release of her new album. She became a mother and confessed that parenthood has had a big impact on the album. Lyrically, she is more honest than ever, alongside elite production throughout.
Creatively, she upped her levels by shooting an array of self-directed visuals for the album during quarantine. It Was Good Until It Wasn’t truly cements her position as one of the key figures in the world of current R&B.
Sounds like…
A true depiction of a balanced album with R&B roots at its core but a diverse mix of sounds throughout. Plus dope beats and a voice with melodies to match
Speaks to…
Music lovers who appreciate a diverse mix of sounds
Start with…
Toxic
Wizkid – Made in Lagos
Wizkid’s legacy as a diverse yet soulful artist has already been cemented. That said, Made In Lagos genuinely takes things up a notch. His 4th studio album is easily his most sophisticated as he showcases his talent effortlessly well.
Sounds like…
Vibes upon VIBES! literally. Made in Lagos is the true definition of how to make an eclectic album. No track sounds the same sonically but fits perfectly well together due to Wizkid’s brilliance.
Speaks to…
That mood when you wanna just zone out and enjoy the vibrations of music.
Start with…
No Stress
SAULT – Untitled (Black Is)
The saying ‘Art imitates life’ was in full effect on SAULTS’s monumental album ‘Untitled (Black Is)’. 2020 has been an eye opening year for a host of reasons. At long last, the topic of racial injustice was put on front street in a way not seen in decades. Untitled (Black Is), as the title firmly suggests, hit home on this topic throughout. However, it was the way in which the album was creatively cultivated that really stood out. Never sounding preachy, Untitled (Black Is) captures all of the raw emotions of anger, pain, resentment as well as hope of the moment and truly could not have been released at a more poignant time.
Sounds like…
Sonically, the record rides a similar musical lineage as their previous releases, however, the stakes here are on another level here throughout. Producer Inflo, singer Cleo Sol, and a host of luminary guests including Michael Kiwanuka deliver a truly mesmerising collection of heartfelt deeply soulful tracks. Motown inspiration of 60’s soul and 70’s funk is also evident throughout, making for an album that plays out as a complete experience from beginning to end.
Speaks to…
A genuine insight into society’s injustice whilst remaining hopeful for a better tomorrow.
Start with…
Miracles
Lianne La Havas – Lianne La Havas
The hugely talented Lianne La Havas came back with a bang this year with her new self-titled album. Despite not dropping a project since 2015, the wait was well and truly worth it. Lianne delivered brilliantly vivid storytelling music throughout, with a genuinely heartwarming soul that resonates.
Sounds like…
Chilled, retro soul at its very finest. vibes throughout, touching on a very reminiscent to Corrine Bailey Rae and early Tracy Chapman. Lianne’s multi layered vocals and vivid lyrics help to steer the album’s self-assured soulful direction.
Speaks to…
Purposefully bold yet tender, this album touches on a host of relatable topics from self-growth to life and love.
Start with…
Bittersweet
Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes – What Kinda Music
Whenever two iconic talents join forces to create an album, there is always added interest and What Kinda Music simply does not disappoint.
As expected, the album has a solid jazz-based undercurrent. However, this is far from where the journey sonically ends. Elements of vintage hip-hop, and soul remain on-show throughout. Such varied sounds is a key standout on the project and helps with its all-round intrigue. The album also features a lot of live instrumentation, adding to the atmosphere of the project.
Sounds like…
An LP that you can throw on in any moment when you wish to be taken to another sphere. What Kinda Music, is an album that goes against the grain of an album structure and one for the musical purist.
Speaks to…
A truly fluid musical experience from start to finish.
Start with…
Nightrider
Teyana Taylor – The Album
Without doubt Teyana Taylor is one of the most diversely talented entertainers of her generation. In June, she dropped her very much anticipated album, The Album. Teyana being the dope creative she is, the project plays out in 5 sections linked to the acronym A, L, B, U, and M.
Moreover, if being a talented singer, songwriter, dancer and actress wasn’t enough, Teyana also took the videography of the album into her own hands, self-directing the visuals on the album.
Sounds like…
Consisting of 23 tracks The Album embodies Taylor’s creativity and is a far cry of when she previously felt stifled creatively when recording previous projects. The fusion of different soulful sounds further implements Teyana as a true unique R&B artist.
Speaks to…
Elite R&B music from an artist you cannot box into any category.
Start with…
Bare Wit Me
Brent Faiyaz – F*ck The World
As the shift in modern R&B has shifted in recent years, so as the prominence of slow-groove ‘dreamy R&B’. One of the best in this lane is Brent Faiyaz. This year he dropped his debut project Fuck The World.
As the blunt title suggests, the album is unapologetic but this does not tell the full story. The scene of airy, mystic soul is in abundance on the 10 track project as Brent vocally delivers a varied treat of R&B.
Sounds like…
Introspective soulful R&B that is chill, yet hits with its ability to resonate.
Speaks to…
As an artist, Brent on Fuck The World delivers brutal honesty of the highest order. Meshed with a variety of soulful sounds sonically.
Start with…
Been Away
Ego Ella May – Honey For Wounds
South-Londoner, Ego Ella May artist provided us with a majestic mix of contemporary Jazz / Neo Soul meshed with eclectic R&B this year on the album, Honey For Wounds. Full of layered songwriting unique to Ego, the album is a delightful listen spanning 11 tracks.
Sounds like…
An artist that does not shy away from both political and personal topics with ease. Vocally she is flawless and has a heartwarmingly rich tone that really resonates with the soul of the listener. Something that has drawn her to many comparisons to Erykah Badu.
Speaks to…
A modern-day masterpiece that not only soothes the soul but goes very far in healing it. Taking on life beyond just love and romance as many albums do
Start with…
Girls Don’t Always Sing About Boys
Che Lingo – The Worst Generation
Without question, Che Lingo is one of the most versatile rappers in the UK right now. A witty rapper with fantastic depth and confidence to his bars, he definitely cuts through in a currently stacked climate, as the UK rap scene progresses.
His debut album The Worst Generation is a true stand out project and marks him out as one that is set to shape the future of rap in the UK.
Sounds like…
Soulful Hip-hop displayed in its true essence. Relatable, yet thought provokingly insightful The Worst Generation sheds light on what Che has gone through to this point.
Speaks to…
Themes of introspection, mental health and everyday life battles are prevalent on the project with Che Lingo’s vivid wordplay helping to paint pictures that resonate from beginning to end.
Start with…
Bobbing For Apples
Brandy – B7
Eight years had passed since her last album but in 2020, the long wait was finally over as R&B icon Brandy blessed us this month with her new album B7. A genuine R&B legend, her legacy speaks for itself with her career having transcended close to 3 decades.
Sounds like…
B7 does a great job of blending vintage R&B aesthetics with the current climate without feeling like it’s trying to do too much sonically.
Speaks to…
Elite R&B that remains true to itself in every meaning of the word.
Start with…
Borderline
Nápoles – Slowin It EP
The Swedish based musician caught our ears with her dope first single Slowzy earlier this year and in September, released her debut EP Slowin It. The 6 track EP showcases her organic fusion of neo-soul, modern R&B and hip-hop.
Sounds like…
Vocally, Nápoles’ conversational tone shines throughout alongside a backdrop of soulfully smooth beats. The project really plays through seamlessly with vibes that hit your soul.
Speaks to…
Melodic Neo-Soul intertwined with an introspective modern twist.
Start with…
Slowzy
Pip Milllet – Lost In June EP
The Manchester based soulful songstress dropped her eagerly anticipated EP entitled Lost In June this year. Lost In June consists of 8 tracks, which take us on a journey of reflection and honest emotions with Pip’s enriched soulful tones engrained throughout. The project helps to reaffirm Pip Millett’s place in modern R&B and why she should be an artist keeping tabs on.
Sounds like…
Lost In June has more than enough soulful variance to keep the EP stuck in heavy rotation for some while. Pip Millett is a fantastic addition to the world of R&B and Lost In June helps only to cement this further.
Speaks to…
Lost In June consists of 8 tracks, which take us on a journey of reflection and honest emotions with Pip’s enriched soulful tones engrained throughout.
Start with…
Heavenly Mother
Gaidaa – Overture EP
It has been a steady and assured rise for the talented Dutch based artist Gaidaa, who dropped her EP Overture in July. After dropping a series of very impressive singles in recent years, her debut EP did not disappoint. The EP cohesively showcases her versatility across the 8 track project.
Sounds like…
Blessed with a brilliantly soulful voice, her melodic harmonies alongside brilliant lyrical ability to story tell really shine through on Overture.
Speaks to…
Soulfully diverse R&B with an extremely soothing voice to match. Overture is very well put together EP with huge replay value.
Start with…
Falling Higher
Tiana Major9 – At Sixes and Sevens EP
Rising R&B songstress Tiana Major9 released her first EP since signing to the well-renowned record label Motown Records this month, titled At Sixes and Sevens.
The EP is a wonderfully packaged project that merges elements of traditional R&B alongside modern R&B and neo-soul.
Sounds like…
At Sixes and Sevens is the follow-up to her 2019 EP, Rehearsal @ NINE and showcases Tiana’s steady progression as an allround artist. Vocally, Tiana is effortless throughout and in parts sounds very similar to Marsha Ambrosius, which is a huge compliment!
Speaks to…
Heartwarming soulful R&B from an artist not afraid to bare her feelings through vividly strong songwriting.
Start with…
Same Space?
