With the music scene bursting with new albums, I felt it was only safe to recommend some of my favorites of some of the newest releases. 2025 did not have many exceptional releases, but, it looks hopeful that we will get some amazing projects.
- Samm Henshaw, It Could Be Worse (Dorm Seven/AWAL)
This is my first time venturing into Samm Henshaw’s music, but I was really impressed with what I had heard. Listening to the soulful vocals, drums and the funky bassline flowing through the air was like listening to a young Marvin Gaye. I went back to listen to his debut project, Untidy Soul, and he shows clear artistic evolution. With standout tracks like, “Don’t Give It Up,” “Tangerine” and “Hair Down,” Henshaw skillfully lives up to the name of the album, It Could Be Worse. - Alex Isley, When The City Sleeps (Free Lunch/Warner) (Releases on March 20)
Daughter and niece of the Isley brothers, R&B singer Alex Isley has been gracing the music scene for many years now. She is known for sleeper hits like “Good & Plenty (feat. Masego)” and “Love Again”. Her 2025 EP When showcased her prowess in the neo soul world and left us in anticipation for her fourth solo studio album, When The City Sleeps, considering all six tracks on the EP will be featured on the upcoming LP. Isley takes clear album art inspiration from Minnie Riperton’s 1975 album Adventures In Paradise to create a cover that portrays this album as a perfect nighttime listen. This is one of my most anticipated projects this year and I hope it turns out great. - WILLOW, petal rock black (Three Six Zero Recordings)
WILLOW surprise-returned to the scene with petal rock black after nearly two years of little to no releases. If I were to describe this album in one word, it would be “experimental”. I was not expecting to hear a purely acapella song in the form of “vegetation” or the narrative elements of “ear to the cocoon”. WILLOW shows that she is one of the most versatile artists of her time with petal rock black. By fusing jazz, R&B, soul and hip-hop, WILLOW creates a cinematic experience that is one of the most unique projects we have gotten so far. - GENA, The Pleasure Is Yours (Lex Records)
The newly formed duo meaning “God Energy, Naturally Amazing” and consisting of singer Liv.e and drummer/producer Karriem Riggins released “Circlesz”, “HOWWEFLOW” and “Lead It Up” their first 3 singles to promote this debut album. These alone had me anticipating the project for the longest time and it did not disappoint. Liv.e’s mellow vocals blended with Riggins’ funky, experimental production fusion of R&B, hip-hop and soul make for a full experience. “omo iya ati baba,” one of the standout tracks, pay tribute to parents and their impact. “You’ve Outdone Yourself Today” tells the listener to take a break, but to “keep moving”, a message I listen to every now and then. - Harry Styles, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. (Erskine/Columbia)
Harry Styles returns after nearly four years since his Grammy-winning third studio album Harry’s House was released in 2022. This might not be his best work, but to me, it is his most outstanding work. “Aperture,” its lead single and opening track, really impressed me and caused me to dance with all of its beat switches from classic pop to house and vice versa. While this still contained Styles’ retro pop style, he dabbles in house, pop rock and synth-pop. “Pop” was the highlight of the bunch; it narrates a relationship where the special someone is being prioritized and he would “do it again and again”. It lives up to its title and gives one the feeling of being in dance clubs. - Jack Harlow, Monica (Atlantic)
Jack Harlow is back after his 2023 single “Lovin’ On Me” broke the internet. He has come back with a fully R&B/Blue-eyed Soul-influenced record. Here, he is not a player at all; he is completely romantic. He is yearning. There is even some jazz influence at the end of “My Winter”, along with some 2000’s R&B influence on “All Of My Friends” and “Living Alone”. He has done something that I never would have expected: release one of the most soulful albums of 2026 so far with a raw voice, well-conveyed emotion and smooth transitions. This is also by far his shortest album; there are only 9 tracks. Now I see why Harlow chose not to release any singles and spoil the surprise.