Tink, Andra Day, BJRNCK, And More New R&B To Answer Rhetorical Questions
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This week in R&B, questions were formed while answers were left to one’s imaginative—and this is why art is subjective. Still, we sifted through the onset of new releases to handpick our new favorites.
Andra Day’s new album has had us in a chokehold for months, so this was a no-brainer. Adding to the momentum, The Spinners unveiled a new album that took us by surprise. Yaya Bey is telling it all. Tink is gearing up for an early winter as rising stars, BJRNCK, Treanne, and Nia Smith remind us that R&B is in great hands.
Check out VIBE‘s top new R&B selects on this New Music Friday.
Andra Day – CASSANDRA (cherith)
Andra Day’s latest masterpiece is here. Her new album, CASSANDRA (cherith), is a compelling sonic experience that boasts radical honesty as a means of healing. It’s equally petty and poetic as she unpacks feelings of anxiety, gratitude, and imposter syndrome, and finds the soul-stirring, all-encompassing medium between Andra and Cassandra.
This is her most intimate and cinematic work of art to date. It’s intended to be listened to from start to finish, without skips and in order. Trust us, it’s worth the ride.
Tink – “Huh”
A wise Black proverb once read, “If you can ‘huh?,’ you can hear.” So, don’t be a simpleton, asking questions to a statement that requires a direct answer. Tink touches on this in her new single, “Huh.” As she tries to answer the dreaded “what are we,” she quickly learns that her man, who’s not her man, will be no help in solving the mystery.
This is a relatable anthem for lovers everywhere, eager to get out of the “talking” phase. It’s the newest release from her upcoming album, Winter’s Diary 5.
BJRNCK – “Espresso Martini”
BJRNCK is a Chicago native who captured our attention with her delightful new single, “Espresso Martini.”
The budding singer-songwriter spotlights the raw emotions associated with dating as she recounts feeling burnt out in the aftermath of an argument. Inspired by the likes of Jhené Aiko, Miguel, and Usher, she is a well-blended mix of contemporary and alternative R&B. By our standards, if you’re a SZA fan, you could be a BJRNCK fan.
Treanne – 20/20
Treanne’s debut EP, 20/20 is one of this year’s most chilling, but in the best ways. It feels earnest, slightly sad, but not the type of sad that warrants sympathy—it’s more hopeful than not.
Though her songs mimic the soundtrack to fragility, the projects actually displays more of her strength and delves into how one should navigate in-flux emotions and varying relationships.
The Spinners – Full Circle
The Spinners are commemorating their 70th anniversary as a group with their new album, Full Circle.
It is, unfortunately, the last album with the esteemed band’s last original member, Henry Fambrough, but is a stellar representation of their legacy and well-versed discography.
As they continue to impact music, the group’s new music is full of danceable grooves like “After Hours” and “Dreamin’ Bout You,” as well as familiar ballads such as “Rainy Saturday” and “Totally Beautiful.” We feel the group is trying to conjure up a younger audience and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Yaya Bey – Ten Fold
Yaya Bey’s new album, Ten Fold, is a lesson in artistry.
As she paints a vibrant albeit vulnerable portrait of what it means to be an artist today, Bey puts her truth at the forefront with the hope that it’ll all pay off tenfold. With the confidence boost (sir princess bad bi**h) and the picturesque “slow dancing in the kitchen,” she reflects on her past to piece together her self-made future.
Nia Smith – “Give Up The Fear”
Hailing from across the pond comes rising sensation, Nia Smith and her debut single, “Give Up The Fear.”
This being her debut proves that she has the talent to make some waves within R&B. Her tone is rich and smooth while her lyrics are universal. Produced by Grammy-award-winning producer Jimmy Napes, the song is about the relentless pursuit that comes with making a dream a reality.
“’Give Up The Fear’ is about finding that inner child again,” said Smith in a statement. “You know how when you’re a kid you don’t overthink or second-guess creativity? I would watch my little brother paint when he wants to paint, draw when he wants to draw, while I second-guess what I want to do.”
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