JoJo, B5, SAILORR, And More New R&B For Folks Who Tried Everything But Therapy

This week in R&B, healing is packaged differently as nostalgia is made new and artists are exploring what it means to get through the woes of life and love—with and without a professional’s help.

Both JoJo and B5 return with their respective long-awaited new EPs while SAILORR brings Summer Walker along for the next edition of “POOKIE’S REQUIEM.” Ann Nesby is singing for all the lovers who scream, “my man, my man, my man” as Teddy Swims brought all of R&B’s current heavyweights together for part two of his album.

GIGI makes her debut while Bathe and Kevin Ross tease their next albums with their latest single. We introduce you to the music stylings of Charlie Bereal as JAWAN.mp3 makes his new album available for public consumption.

Check out all of VIBE’s top new R&B picks below and soundtrack your healing.

JoJo – NGL

JoJo’s NGL will get you together in under 30 minutes. The music echoes themes and sentiments from her memoir and it’s a earnest display and celebration of her strength and resilience.

“We made these songs while I was in a season of simultaneously trying to hold on and let go. Inspired by the energy of living in a new city and being truly unattached for the first time ever (no romantic entanglements or record label) sparked a tinge of fear, but mostly a huge wave of relief and excitement,” JoJo explained when speaking on the project. “My journey to self-love has looked a lot of different ways and it’s had plenty of starts, stops, twists and turns. [Not gonna lie], I’m just out here. Finding my way.”

The standout of the EP, outside of the lead single “Porcelain” and new single “Ready For Love,” is easily “One Last Time.” It’s a vivid story of telling someone goodbye for the final time because you’ve found peace with the end of that chapter. The sentiment can also double as the track that may best define this EP.

B5 – STAY (Still Think About You)

B5 is back and all grown up. The quintet’s new EP drew inspiration from their debut album—which turns 20 this year. However, them partnering with The Exclusives was their reintroduction to welcome fans into their present and future.

The project was led by the sultry record, “Spooky” and the intimate albeit sexy ballad, “Nervous.” The best part is that the group still knows their strength and didn’t stray away from their signature sound. Some moments may transport you back to 2005, but it’s clear they’re here to stay.

SAILORR feat. Summer Walker – “POOKIE’S REQUIEM [hehe look y’all I made it longer]”

Rising phenom SAILORR’s hit breakup anthem got taken up a notch when she linked up with the heartbreak queen, Summer Walker.

The viral song was just shy of a two-minute runtime, but with the delightful addition, it’s now just under three minutes—causing SAILORR to tease fans with the joke: “hehe look y’all I made it longer.”

Of the record’s concept, she said in a statement, “I watched ‘Requiem for a Dream’ right after a bad breakup. I was like, ‘Damn, I really identify with this’ — just struggling with addiction, whether that be with sex, love, substances, whatever. I feel like anybody can identify with trying to unlearn unhealthy habits, so ‘POOKIE’S REQUIEM’ was a direct reflection of what I was struggling with at the time.”

This is just the beginning of what the Vietnamese powerhouse has up her sleeve.

Teddy Swims – I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)

Just when you thought Teddy Swims’ I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy couldn’t get better, he releases the second installment with some of Hip-Hop and R&B’s top acts.

“This album is a continuation of Part 1,” said Teddy. “I’ve been evolving, growing, and healing in so many ways since the first one! On the last album, I felt as if it just left you with so much heartbreak and no resolve. Of course, there is still heartbreak on Part 2, but I believe we’ve given just a little more closure this time around!”

This go ’round, he partnered with Givēon, Muni Long, GloRilla, and Coco Jones. Who knew these were the collaborations music had been missing?

Ann Nesby – “My Man”

Will the real lovers please stand up? Ann Nesby would like to have a word.

The two-time Grammy winner is still in love and telling the world all about it. Her new single, aptly titled “My Man,” was co-written by R.L. of Next along with Brian Cook and is a tribute to her husband and manager.

“This song is about love and loyalty that endures life’s challenges,” Nesby shared. “It reflects my personal journey while celebrating the love stories that inspire my music.” For those who can’t stop gushing about their man or mate, this song is for you.

Bathe – “Here”

Bathe’s new album, Inside Voice(s), is coming out on March 21, but until then, we have its lead single, “Here.”

A relatable ode to “the winter blues,” the men explained that “Here” is “a soundtrack for anyone fighting that feeling [of staying bed and forgetting the outside world] and finding a way back to their feet.” It somewhat serves as a battle with one’s mind and body.

It’s a chilling start to welcome the album that “explores the dissonance that comes from being split between two places—where you are and where you want to be” and is “our attempt to make sense of the noise around and inside of us.”

GIGI – “Diamonds Dancing”

An artist’s debut single can really make or break them, and in GIGI’s case, we’re excited to hear more.

With “Diamonds Dancing,” the budding songstress brags about confidence and the importance of bouncing back. “It’s the sound of reclaiming yourself after disappointment—a triumphant declaration of resilience, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Bold, unstoppable, and glowing brighter than ever,” GIGI explained.

The record also reclaims the narrative of you being “his loss.” It’s the lead single from her debut EP, Waves Of It.

JAWAN.mp3 – Reverie

JAWAN.mp3’s new album dropped at the top of the year, exclusively on Bandcamp, but it’s now available on DSPs.

Reverie is sweet, heartwarming, and honest. It boasted collaborations with Elijah Dai, Mal Saunders and BeMyFiasco plus viral singles, “Still (For You)” and “Only Want U.” 

“This is six years in the making and I’m glad I took my time,” the crooner admitted. “As urgent as music feels sometimes, I believed it was more important to be proud of the work and sure that it matched what I needed to express. Like my friend Ankn once said, ‘The industry is no match for the Universe. Resonance is a timeless and underrated emotion.’ I believe that with everything in me.”

Press play and get lost. This is definitely a contender as one of the best projects of the year.

Kevin Ross – “Love In The Middle”

Ahead of Kevin Ross’ new project, Love Uptempo, he shares his new single, “Love In The Middle.”

Produced by Louis York, the track is a soulful, feel-good anthem that speaks on the balance needed to navigate the good and bad of a relationship.

“‘Love In The Middle’ is the magic you get when three friends lock-in to make a timeless love song that the people can still dance and sing along to forever,” Claude Kelly of Louis York explained. The full EP will be out in March.

Charlie Bereal – Walk With The Father

Death Row Records is trying to conjure up R&B of the past and we’re here for it. If October London is a reincarnation of Marvin Gaye, Charlie Bereal is Teddy Pendergrass.

Just as smooth and nostalgic as he wants to be, Charlie’s debut album is a self-produced, self-proclaimed “soothing escape and message of hope.” Set out to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while speaking to the devastation that enveloped his hometowns of Pasadena and Altadena, his album is a heartfelt method to ease angst and spread love.

Mission accomplished.