SiR, Dana Williams, Sinéad Harnett, And More New R&B Music For Wandering Souls
Around here, it’s always R&B season and this week’s new music is dedicated to the wanderers and the wonderers—those who travel for leisure, get consumed by nature’s beauty and those who thrive on the thrill of the unexpected.
The artists chosen for this roundup exude vulnerability and honesty. SiR is thwarting off evil. Dana Williams is grieving the loss of platonic love. Sinéad Harnett is questioning her partner’s silence and Rhyan Douglas is basking in the glow of hearty conversation. Lily Massie and Amanda Perez are talking lust as Essence Martins is fine-tuning her childlike curiosity.
Each record emotes something familiar, but different. So, enjoy our new R&B picks of the week. You might unlock something new within yourself.
SiR – “No Evil”
SiR is channeling D’Angelo circa “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” with his first solo release since 2022.
His Taylor Hill-produced single, “No Evil,” is a moody single for the “misunderstood,” according to the Inglewood-bred crooner. After dominating the scene with his back-to-back masterpieces—November and Chasing Summer—and earning two Grammy nominations, SiR is now displaying more of his vulnerable side.
“I been lonely for days and days/ But we’re one and the same/ Pardon my superstition/ But with my supervision/ I see so much of myself/ My past, my pain, my pride and my ego/ But I see no evil,” he sings in a chilling manner as he distracts listeners with his chiseled, oiled-up physique in the song’s Loris Russier-directed visual.
SiR is back—and has already declared that the album is done with a tour to follow.
Dana Williams Feat. Miki Ratsula – “Growing Up”
Dana Williams has partnered with her longtime friend and collaborator, Miki Ratsula, for their delightfully soothing albeit bittersweet record, “Growing Up.”
Feeling as though the single was plucked from an angst teenage movie like Perks Of A Being A Wallflower and others alike, the alt-R&B darling soundtracks the feelings associated with friendship breakups, which are often said to be harder than romantic ones.
“Like any breakup, I’m grieving the loss of a loved one,” said Williams in a statement. “I think it is possible to care for someone but to also to understand that your values no longer align. In order to grow into your full potential, sometimes, it’s important to let go of certain habits and relationships […] ‘Growing Up’ is about setting boundaries, and in doing so, connecting with your higher self.”
“Growing Up” follows her EP, Talk Therapy, which also stems from a series of self-introspections and wisdom obtained from that internal reflection.
Sinéad Harnett – “Say Something”
Sinéad Harnett’s new ballad is poetry set to an entrancing melody.
As the Thailand-Irish songbird yearns for her partner to not wallow in silence. You feel the heaviness of looming thoughts as she coos, “I yearn to know/ Was the glimmer only from my mouth?/ As light as a feather, faith starts to float/ The weight of your absence is far more than gold.” It’s eerie yet relatable as many people toy with the feeling of holding something in versus letting it out. This marks Harnett’s first solo release since 2022’s Ready Is Always Too Late.
Rhyan Douglas – “Conversations”
Rhyan Douglas’ “Conversations” needs to be in somebody’s movie. The Elkan production is subtly warm and oozes the innocence of young love, paired with the knowledge of an old soul.
He may be a newcomer, but has his talent has been here before. The richness of his tone screams traditional R&B, which breeds an infectious familiarity. However, he considers himself to be a folk-soul singer, similar to Daniel Caesar and Frank Ocean.
With “Conversations,” he focuses on getting lost in words with his love interest, asking her to give him her love and time, so they can conquer the world. It’s sweet and reserved as pursuit of love should be.
Essence Martins – “Wandering Souls”
As Essence Martins announced the release date for her debut EP, she issued the first single, “Wandering Souls.” The British-Nigerian songstress was inspired by the likes of Norah Jones and Lauryn Hill, but her sound isn’t limited to one genre. With “Wandering Souls,” her airy vocals penetrate deeply as she sings of sweet daydreams.
“’Wandering Souls’ is about curiosity,” she explained in a statement. “It is a small window into my mind. I often wonder what happens to us when we complete our journey on earth. To me, ‘wandering souls’ feels like a child who has an endless curiosity about the ways of the world. It has all these questions that no one can really answer.”
This ballad will appear on her debut project, Deer In The Headlights, which is slated for release on February 23.
Lily Massie feat. Amanda Perez – “So Good”
If you’re a fan of Kehlani and SYD, meet Lily Massie.
The rising sensation has teamed up with music veteran Amanda Perez for her newest single, “So Good.” The seductive tune has the ladies comparing experiences about wooing women away from their men and succeeding in lust.
Massie is a New Jersey native, intent on becoming an impactful voice within R&B by expressing herself unapologetically through potent, confident songwriting. You can catch her live on Journey Montana’s Stargirl Tour, kicking off next month.
