14 Of The Steamiest Love Songs Released Since 2019 To Play For Your Bae
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Spring is here. Love is in the air. It's time to tap into the love song frequency.
What better way to do that than getting hip to some of the loveliest R&B music songs released? This list is sure to remind you to be grateful for your honey and inspire some bonding time for you two.
1.“Time N Affection” by Rema and Chris Brown
“Time N Affection” is a beautiful island song released in March 2022 by Nigerian rapper Rema featuring American R&B artist Chris Brown, who each sings to the lady they desire. The track is a real treat because Chris Brown introduced me to Rema’s music through this amazing love song. The "WE (Warm Embrace)" singer has a knack for collaborating with international artists, and his affinity for it encourages me to expand my tastes.
The music video for "Time N Affection" features a looped visualization of an upside-down house that is on fire. The piece of art is the cover of Rema's album Rave & Roses.
Not only does Rema want to give the girl his time and affection, but he pledges to stay with her.
Chris Brown’s signature vocals open with airy ad-libs before his performance of the chorus closes with falsetto runs that are exquisite to the ear.
In the second verse, Brown sings about a man who wants to be close to his lady while being open-hearted. “Come here baby, get closer, closer. Ride this wave on an open ocean. Eyes closed with a heart wide open,” he sings.
By the end of Chris Brown’s verse, he gives his lucky lady lavish gifts and something immeasurable in value — his love and respect. “Girl, I give you all my time and affect—. Prada bag, know you lagged from the jet. If I was your man, I'd give you respect. I love you no sweat (whoa),” he closes the verse. Yes to Chris for giving emotional maturity in lyrics that just may reference a book called Love and Respect, which I've seen moving through influential circles.
2.“Come for Me (Unlocked) (feat. Khalid & Lucky Daye)” by Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys high-key released a banging R&B album in 2021 called Keys. The very smooth "come hither" track “Come for Me (Unlocked)” appears on disc two of this 27-song, two-disc project. It features Khalid and Lucky Daye, who join Miss Keys in a song that is a serenade to a lover.
The music video has behind-the-scenes vibes. It begins with friends drinking wine and playing dominos. They hum and harmonize the chorus of the tune that is oh-so-catchy. “Is it too much to need someone to come for me? Just need someone to run to me. I need someone to run to me. And that’ll be enough for me,” Alicia sings on the chorus while each artist performs a verse solo.
The electronic drum loop and synthesizer create an easygoing vibe. The artists' voices truly complement the instrumentation to make a song that feels complete and ready to repeat.
“Come for Me (Unlocked) (feat. Khalid & Lucky Daye)” is the type of track to cut on late at night while you two are out for a drive or staying in for some stay-at-home slow dance parties. 👀
3.“Magic Hour” by Jhené Aiko
“Magic Hour” by the singer with the softest voice, Jhené Aiko, is a hidden gem. The song can be found on her 2020 album Chilombo. It hasn’t been promoted as one of the project’s singles, and it doesn’t need to be. The fact that I discovered this deep track makes it that much more magical for me. The lyric video for “Magic Hour” features a seated Jhené Aiko, who sings the song at the magic hour.
The song rings like a lullaby. In some traditions the magic hour is also known as the "golden hour," which is the last hour before a golden sunset.
“Magic Hour” is the type of song to listen to while embracing or being embraced by your significant other while sitting before the golden sunset during the magic hour. Go ahead — wish for miracles. Why not?
4.“Oxygen” by Emeli Sandé
I discovered the British soulful R&B singer Emeli Sandé in the 2010s when her voice hit me like a deck of cards on the track “Next to Me.” Since then I have followed nearly every release from this artist because the spiritual quality of her music is unmistakable.
The March 2022 single “Oxygen” by Emeli Sandé is a love song from someone who seeks to get to know the depths of their partner.
The instrumentation is simple and elegant.
Sandé's background vocals kick up the airy sound of her voice, creating an effect that does feel as if the listener is between the sheets. The lyric “kiss me hard like I’m your only oxygen” could be mistaken to mean that she is the source of his oxygen. But this is quickly dispelled when the singer continues, “Feels as if you’re teaching me to breathe. Baby, please stay close. You are my oxygen.”
In fact, it seems oxygen is a metaphor for the profound impact the mates have on each other’s lives.
“Too much small talk, well, my darling, that's bad for our health. Turns your talks so small, you'll turn into somebody else,” Sandé opens the first verse.
“Oxygen” is perfect to listen to when the candles are lit and your hearts are open. It’s a song about appreciation for the light that brought you and your mate together.
5.“Too Much” by Jacob Banks
I discovered the sweet melodies of Jacob Banks’ music in 2016 when I heard the knock-out song “Monster,” and ever since then I have been a fan of the Nigerian R&B artist who grew up in England. “Too Much” is a beautiful song that appears on his 2021 project called For My Friends.
The artist sings these words to the lady he loves: “‘Cause I’ve been waiting my whole life to feel your embrace. See I’ve been waiting my whole life to feel the sun on my face.”
Banks uses the booming sound of his voice to express the depth and boundlessness of his love for his woman.
The booming sound rises and falls throughout the song. It even transitions into his falsetto, which showcases his more tender side.
“So if you ever need to change. If you ever need to hideaway. If you ever need some space. You could never be too much,” he sings to a woman who could be his lady, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, daughter. The type of love that this song is written about transcends any relationship title. The song is a pledge to love the woman no matter who she becomes or what she needs because the work of loving her will never be too much. It is a song with a message about pure love and spiritual maturity.
"Too Much" is a song to cut on at the cookout or a grown folks' dinner party to remind everyone in your circle to be the mate that promised their significant other they would be.
6.“Ooh Ahh!” by Miguel
“Ooh Ahh!” appears on Miguel’s 2021 project Art Dealer 3. The song opens with a slight guitar riff just before Miguel’s voice hits the track with the chorus. “I'm bout it. Baby don't doubt it. Ya keep the bed crowded like (OH AH!).”
When Miguel’s voice enters the first verse, the audience experiences his falsetto slide across the track.
“Ooh Ahh!” is the type of song to cut on when your boo arrives home and you have a sexy playtime surprise for them.
7.“Energy” by DJ Tunez, Ashanti, and Adekunle Gold
I stumbled upon this little sweet song while searching through Spotify for new R&B music to throw into my mix. That’s when I was happy to hear this new music from R&B artist Ashanti. “Energy” is an Afrobeats and R&B cross-over song that comes from Brooklyn-bred Afrobeats artist DJ Tunez, Ashanti, and Nigerian singer-songwriter Adekunle Gold.
“Oh, I want your energy. Always all over me. Don’t let go,” Ashanti’s background vocals echo lightly as the song opens.
The R&B singer visited The Breakfast Club in December 2021 to share the news about re-recording her masters so she could collect her coins.
The song is about a woman who is enveloped in a man’s energy — energy so good that she doesn’t want to let go.
Kick up the “Energy” with bae by turning on this sultry song for some quality time in sandy waters on the beach.
8.“What’s Up” by Anthony Lewis
There’s some talk about erotic happenings near a window, but for some reason, she is acting like she doesn’t know his name anymore, and he is not with that undercover lover life.
“Didn't even know we was undercover. Acting like we not underneath them covers. But you didn't have to change, girl?” Unfortunately for the crooner, it sounds like she did change up on him.
“What’s Up” has club banger vibes that could work well for some role play with bae where you meet up in a club for a sneaky link scene.
9.“Pressure” by Ari Lennox
If you haven’t heard “Pressure” yet by Ari Lennox, then gone head and kick that song onto a speaker because it is live. Lennox delivers “come hither" vocals over an upbeat track. The single was released in 2021, and so was its video, which has racked up over 18 million views on YouTube.
“Pressure” here can mean many things, but I’ll let your imagination run wild.
“Pressure” is perfect to playfully tease your lover with when you two are coming out of a little tiff. Use it to acknowledge the conflict and ignite reconnection.
10.“Ooh Laa” by John Legend
“Ooh Laa” appears on John Legend’s 2020 album Bigger Love. Legend is the man you can depend on for soulful R&B music with a certain vibe where his themes are often about how he’ll love, protect, and lead his woman as her priest. “Ooh Laa” is a unique song that is both 1940s-themed and bedroom-themed simultaneously, which has John Legend written all over it.
I love the range of John Legend’s soulful music because even the songs about sex come through his emotionally mature lens. It’s sexy, sexual, but not lewd. It’s freaky and respectful. It’s a gift Legend has. I love this song so much that I introduced it on The Kelly Clarkson Show for Kellyoke.
Oh my… “Ooh Laa” is a banger. How does John Legend do it?
Cut on “Ooh Laa” around your lover when you want to remind them how good their bedroom game is to you.
11.“And Then Life Was Beautiful” by Nao
Nao opens the first verse with lyrics that are so relatable. “Change came like a hurricane. 2020 hit us differently. And even though I didn't want it. The slow life got a hold of me. How to float when there's no control?”
By the end of the first verse, Nao sings about hope, clarity, and truth.
“And Then Life Was Beautiful” is a great song to send to your love just to remind them that growth is beautiful.
12.“Could Be” by Brandy Haze
In the chorus, Haze essentially says that if the two are in agreement with each other about what they want, then they’re a couple.
“Could Be” is the song to drop in a text to someone as a cute way to show that you want to make things official, or send it to bae as a playful flirt.
13.“Love Is the New Black” by Anthony Hamilton
I love to keep up with Anthony Hamilton’s music because he is a true soul musician. His music tells the stories of soul-to-soul connections and how they play out in a 3D world. His voice is emotive and it gives “I grew up on cornbread” vibes in the most beautiful ways. Hamilton was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and those Southern roots resonate in his R&B and neo-soul sound.
“Love Is the New Black” appears on Anthony Hamilton’s album of the same title.
Hamilton keeps it simple and soulful with this sleek track. “I know where I'm going. You know where it's at. One thing that's for sure. Love is the new black,” he sings. Hamilton can also be heard singing, “You’re welcome,” in the background.
Hamilton’s message is about Black Love. He is about that Black Love. It’s where he’s going. It’s where it’s at. That’s it. This type of songwriting is common in soul music. Phrase repetition with varying emotive effects can be seen in the work of James Brown and Ray Charles.
“Love Is the New Black” is a song of celebration for Black couples and Black Love admirers to cut on at the kickback.
14.“U Move, I Move” by John Legend featuring Jhené Aiko
“U Move, I Move” is another song on John Legend’s album Bigger Love. This one features the light vocal stylings of Jhené Aiko to complement Legend's rich raspy voice.
The is a song about being in union with your mate. A connection that is so divine that it does not require words. It breathes through the synchronicity of their actions. “I don't need words. You don't need to say it. Go with the feeling, and I'll do the same, whoa. That’s how this works. I put you first. You twist and you turn. I wanna learn,” John Legend opens the first verse of the song.
The pre-chorus and chorus describe a loving relationship that exhibits balance and order.
"U Move, I Move" also has a clever connection to the culture.
This song references Ludacris’s single “Stand Up,” which features the chorus “When I move, you move. Just like that.” To take it a level deeper into the culture, Ludacris’s “Stand Up” bares a similar message as the song “Da Dip” by Freak Nasty, where the chorus is “I put my hand upon your hip. When I dip, you dip, we dip." John Legend’s “U Move, I Move” is his take on the same concept presented in these hip-hop songs but through his R&B and soul lens.
Jhené Aiko opens the second verse with words that get at the heart of sharing one's soul.
“If you're ever hurt, then I'm gonna bleed. But I'll pick you up and, put you back on your feet,” she sings. This is a love where lovers are so spiritually intertwined that she is in tune with his emotions and supports him in healing.
“U Move, I Move” is the cut for candlelight dinners and boat trips with bae.
This is my list of love songs to enjoy while basking in the "warm embrace" of your mate. Go forth and be loving.
Write in the comments to tell me your fave R&B love songs that have dropped since the pandemic began.
