The definitive list of the best albums of 2024. Essential listening best albums of 2024 for R&B / Soul lovers
2024 has been a remarkable year for R&B, with artists pushing the boundaries of the genre while staying true to its soulful roots. From debut albums that announce the arrival of fresh talent to seasoned musicians returning with renewed vigor, the best albums of 2024 offer a rich tapestry of sound and emotion. This year’s releases have explored themes of love, loss, resilience, and personal growth, all while showcasing the diverse influences that make R&B such a dynamic and evolving genre. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the scene, these albums are essential listens that capture the heart and soul of R&B in 2024.
Ravyn Lenae – Bird’s Eye
Ravyn Lenae returns with her sophomore album, Bird’s Eye, a project that showcases her signature eclecticism, while pushing new boundaries. Indie R&B drawing from a wide range of influences from 80s synth, indie pop, alt R&B & more. Lenae intertwines this with an experimental edge, creating a sound that is both innovative and deeply emotional.
The album’s musical landscape feels both vast and intimate, with each song crafted meticulously to emphasize texture and emotion over traditional structure. This approach perfectly complements her vocals, which glide effortlessly across the intricate production. Her lyricism is vivid throughout the 11 tracks, adding depth and richness to the album.
The sequencing is outstanding, with each track building on the last, creating a cohesive narrative that invites multiple listens. Bird’s Eye serves as a reminder of Lenae’s unique position in the R&B space, blending influences into something truly her own. This album reaffirms her status as a rising star and is undoubtedly one of the best R&B albums of 2024, promising even more brilliance in the future.
NxWorries – Why Lawd?
Imagine the silky-smooth vocals of Anderson .Paak paired with the sublime production of Knxwledge, and you’ve got the heart of Why Lawd?, the latest album from NxWorries. This project sublimely blends vintage-tinged Soul, Hip Hop and Jazz. The duo captures the essence of cool, delivering a groovy, laid-back vibe that’s hard to resist.
Each track flows like a conversation between old friends, with vulnerable, intriguing lyricism from .Paak presumably inspired by his ongoing divorce. If you’re searching for an album that feels like a comforting embrace, Why Lawd? is one of the best R&B albums of 2024.
Clairo – Charm
With Charm, Clairo continues to evolve, displaying a maturity and depth that goes beyond her bedroom-pop beginnings. This album is a dreamy journey into vulnerability, featuring introspective lyrics that feel both personal and universal. Clairo’s delicate voice floats effortlessly over lush, ethereal production, perfectly complementing her reflective themes.
Charm strikes a balance between melancholy and hope, creating a sonic daydream that invites you to get lost in its gentle embrace. For anyone who has experienced the challenges of growing up and navigating love, this album will resonate deeply. It’s undoubtedly one of the most expansive and best albums of 2024.
Asha Imuno – PINS & NEEDLES
A true slept on gem, this one. On PINS & NEEDLES, Asha Imuno brings a fresh perspective to the R&B landscape which deftly blends elements of alternative R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz, indie and trap. It’s fun, refreshing and hard to put in a box. From uptempo party-style bangers like PHONICS and HONEY, to smoother introspective moments like ROAD RAGE and the jazz-adjacent, DO u WANNA BE HIGH. The album shows phenomenal range. Asha Imuno cements himself as one of the most exciting new voices on the scene, in his own distinct lane. PINS & NEEDLES is easily one of 2024’s best R&B albums.
Tyla – TYLA
Tyla bursts onto the scene with electrifying energy in her self-titled debut album, TYLA. This album is a tour de force of contemporary pop, packed with infectious hooks and undeniable charisma. Tyla grabs your attention with every track, effortlessly blending genres from dancehall to R&B. Her vivacious personality shines through, making the album feel like a party you never want to end.
The slick production, irresistible beats, and Tyla’s powerful yet playful vocals make this a record that demands repeat listens. It’s the kind of album that lifts your spirits and gets you moving, securing its spot as one of the best R&B albums of 2024.
Tendai – The Rain
Tendai’s debut album The Rain is a stunning exploration of mood, using lush instrumentation and atmospheric production to craft an immersive and deeply affecting soundscape. The album weaves together themes of love, loss, and resilience, with each track rich in emotion and layered with textured sound.
Tendai’s vocal delivery is both tender and commanding, giving weight to every word. There’s a timeless quality to the project, blending classic 90s R&B, UK Garage influences with contemporary nuances, making it feel as though it exists in both the past and present. The Rain is an inviting listen, enveloping you in its warmth and resonating with your emotions.
Tendai has crafted a concise and powerful project that connects on multiple levels, solidifying The Rain as one of the best R&B albums of 2024 and one of the year’s most compelling listens.
Shaé Universe – Love’s Letter
Shaé Universe’s Love’s Letter is a love story beautifully told through Neo-Soul, R&B, and a touch of Jazz. Her smooth, sultry vocals guide you through a series of intimate tracks that explore the highs and lows of love. The album is both seductive and introspective, with lush instrumentation that perfectly complements Shaé’s emotive delivery.
Love’s Letter feels like a late-night conversation with a close friend—honest, raw, and deeply personal. It invites you to slow down, reflect, and get lost in the complexities of love. Overall, Love’s Letter reaffirms her position as a force to be reckoned with within R&B / Soul and is one of the best R&B albums of 2024.
KAYTRANADA – TIMELESS
KAYTRANADA has always been a master of blending genres, and TIMELESS is no exception. This album is a celebration of rhythm and groove, with tracks that effortlessly fuse house, funk, and hip-hop into a signature KAYTRANADA sound. The beats are infectious, the basslines are irresistibly funky, and the overall vibe radiates pure joy. The features are perfectly chosen, seamlessly fitting into the project’s aesthetic.
TIMELESS lives up to its name, delivering a collection of tracks that feel both fresh and timeless. Whether you’re on the dance floor or vibing at home, this album is sure to get you moving, making it one of the best albums of 2024.
Raveena – Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain
Raveena’s Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain is a gentle, introspective album that feels like a warm, soothing embrace. Her ethereal vocals float effortlessly over dreamy, psychedelic production, creating a serene soundscape that soothes both the soul and mind. A dreamy album that seamlessly blends R&B and Pop with Indian instrumental influences.
The album is a meditation on love, nature, and the beauty of the human experience, with lyrics that are both poetic and profound. Raveena has a unique ability to make you feel as if she’s singing directly to you, with a tenderness that’s hard to resist. Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain is the perfect soundtrack for serene moments of reflection, solidifying its place among the best R&B albums of 2024. It is one of 2024’s most beautiful albums.
Cruza – Cruzafied
Cruzafied is a future-soul experience that blends the rich heritage of Black music with an innovative, cosmic twist. The album seamlessly fuses nostalgic vibes with future soul, especially on tracks like Lovers Rock and On Fye, which embody this theme. Each song is a gateway to a rhythmic universe, celebrating soulful artistry while drawing listeners into its hypnotic beats. This one is for Indie R&B fans that love the likes of The Internet. Cruza are their funk-led younger brothers.
Cruzafied redefines cosmic funk, drawing inspiration from legends like the Brothers Johnson, D’Angelo, and Portishead. More than just a collection of singles, this album is a cohesive project that conveys the deep emotions and vibrations CRUZA aims to share. Their distinctive sound and visual style position them as key innovators in today’s future-soul landscape. Cruzafied is easily one of the best R&B albums of 2024.
Fana Hues – Moth
Fana Hues’ Moth is a transformative journey through the delicate phases of change and growth. Like the creature it’s named after, the album flutters between genres, gracefully exploring R&B, soul, and indie. Hues’ captivating voice carries raw emotion, balancing vulnerability and power in every note.
Moth speaks directly to the heart, offering solace through its gentle melodies and introspective lyrics. It’s an album for those who appreciate storytelling in music, serving as a quiet yet profound meditation on the beauty of metamorphosis. Moth is undoubtedly one of the best R&B albums of 2024.
Charlotte Day Wilson – Cyan Blue
Another contender for best R&B album of 2024 is Charlotte Day Wilson’s sophomore album, Cyan Blue. On Cyan Blue, Wilson draws inspiration from the rich sounds of gospel and 90s R&B. Tracks like My Way and Money are great examples.
But it’s her unique, layered voice with its distinct alto tone that’s the centerpiece. Her vocals manage to be uniquely haunting & soothing at the same time. The production is sublimely rich and layered production, taking gospel and R&B inspirations to create a sound that washes soothingly over you.
Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive
After a 15-year hiatus, UK rapper Bashy returns with Being Poor Is Expensive, his powerful second album. This raw exploration of life on the margins blends gritty storytelling with unapologetic lyricism. Through vivid narratives, Bashy delves into the struggles and sacrifices of poverty, drawing from his own experiences growing up in London.
Each of the 11 tracks plays out like a scene from a short film, painting a stark picture of the hustle and systemic inequalities that trap people in cycles of hardship. Tracks like “How Black Men Lose Their Smile,” “Made In Britain,” and “Lost In Dreams” dive deep into these themes. Being Poor Is Expensive masterfully fuses soul, grime, hip-hop, reggae, and UK garage, creating a soundscape that is both hard-hitting and reflective. The production mirrors Bashy’s narratives, with beats shifting from aggressive to introspective, allowing moments of defiance and vulnerability.
More than just an album, Being Poor Is Expensive serves as a social commentary, shedding light on the overlooked struggles of urban life and resonating deeply with many. It’s one of the best albums of 2024, marking Bashy’s impactful return to music.
Isaiah Falls – Drugs n’ Lullabies
Isaiah Falls’ Drugs n’ Lullabies is a masterclass in melancholy, blending hazy production with raw, lyricism. The album feels like a late-night drive through empty streets, with each song offering a vignette of longing, pain, and quiet reflection. Isaiah’s sultry vocal delivery adds depth to the thematic beats, enhancing the overall cinematic vibe of the project.
There’s an unfiltered honesty in this album, a willingness to explore the darker corners of the soul. While sonically contemporary, Drugs n’ Lullabies is a bold step forward, showcasing an artist unafraid to reveal his vulnerabilities. This is R&B at its most introspective, capturing emotions that resonate with anyone who has experienced the complexities of relationships and love. Drugs n’ Lullabies stands out as one of the best R&B albums of 2024, offering a profound listening experience.
