R&B Albums from 2018 That Deserve More Appreciation

We are shining a light on R&B’s underappreciated albums of the 2010s. Right now, here are fourteen albums from 2018 that are often forgotten or overlooked.

Where do we start for 2018? When Jacquees dubbed himself the “King of R&B,” he faced a wave of mockery from music veterans and online users. The dispute felt pointless. A few years earlier, R&B was pronounced dead, and no artist today consistently delivers hits to justify such a claim. However, the intense reactions indicated that people passionately cared about R&B again. Although that year lacked a standout artist, the genre achieved several modest successes, suggesting it was finally adopting strategies rap embraced before. The hip-hop genre initially rose to fame outside traditional platforms. Rather than focusing on headlines, take a look at these underappreciated albums.

Chris Dave and the Drumhedz — Chris Dave and the Drumhedz

Chris Dave’s impressive credits include collaborations with many artists, such as D’Angelo, Robert Glasper, Adele, and Justin Bieber. This diverse musical experience has equipped him to work effectively with artists across multiple genres. His self-titled debut shares stylistic similarities with Robert Glasper’s work as they strive to break down musical barriers. The band’s distinctive sound blends elements from various genres, including jazz, R&B, funk, hip-hop, and neo-soul, creating an unclassifiable hybrid. Several notable artists have made cameo appearances, including Anderson .Paak, SiR, Phonte, eLZhi, Keyon Harrold, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. This diverse roster of collaborations reflects the band’s ability to work across multiple musical styles.

The Secret Life of Planets — Zaki Ibrahim

Canadian culture grapples with self-deprecation, often undermining its worth. This tendency, exemplified by Mavis Gallant’s quip about a “Canadian-looking lawn,” persisted through the ‘90s Toronto suburbs. Recent global interest in Canada’s youth culture, propelled by diverse artists, challenges these dated notions. However, this newfound attention overlooks a rich history of cultural contributions. Zaki Ibrahim’s career illustrates this ongoing narrative. Her second full-length album, The Secret Life of Planets, arrives after 12 years of musical development. Ibrahim’s time in Toronto’s R&B, rap, and house scenes, followed by a sojourn in South Africa, shaped her artistic vision. In Cape Town, she absorbed kwaito influences, collaborated with local and international artists, and recorded parts of her Polaris Prize-nominated album, Every Opposite. The Secret Life of Planets highlights Ibrahim’s unique blend of analog and digital elements and past and future sensibilities.

Language — Starchild & The New Romantic

With each new entry into his catalog, streaks of brilliance shine through, illuminating a portrait of an artist who deserves a seat at the table. Bryndon Cook, aka Starchild, has been releasing music since at least 2012, but Language is his first full-length album—a slick, dynamic exploration of ‘80s-influenced funk that solidifies his artistic identity. Although Cook shares his nickname with a character from Parliament’s Mothership Connection, it’s clear that Prince and the Minneapolis funk scene have had a profound impact on the young musician. Cook’s credentials are undeniable, but his true challenge lies in forging an original path among the genius surrounding him. His artistic voice is still evolving, and Language represents the most forceful expression of his identity to date, as he skillfully incorporates agile guitar riffs, effervescent brass, and piercing organs. With Starchild & the New Romantic, we’re finally witnessing Cook’s vision take center stage as he confidently channels his influences into something fresh and distinct. 

The Kids Are Alright — Chlöe x Halle

The description from 2006, when Chloë x Halle first launched their page, feels too modest for the talent and ambition displayed on their debut album, The Kids Are Alright. Their fearless musical style reshapes pop and R&B uniquely, making even high-profile endorsements seem secondary. The Bailey sisters write and arrange all their songs, with Chloë producing all but three tracks. They fill the space with layers of angelic voices, radiating soul and joy without a single stray note. Their inventiveness shines through on every track. The title song is an encouragement to youth and a statement to adults that the future is secure. Their vocal harmonies make two voices sound like an entire choir, intertwining to reveal small pieces of heaven. Throughout the album, they excel by pushing their artistry to its limits. There’s divinity in their unafraid hopefulness and comfort in being themselves, projecting that gift outward.

Wanna Be Your Man — Prophet

Prophet experienced a career rebirth. His love for sweet and sour juice exemplifies this development—he’s taking life’s lemons and creating something unique with them. His debut, Right On Time, became highly prized among collectors, leading to a 2013 reissue and a new LP released on May 11. Conceptualized by Mndsgn, Wanna Be Your Man includes three reimagined classics from Right On Time and seven new compositions. The album is defined by its unconventional blend: driving slap bass, rapid-fire drum machines, and spaced-out synth lines, to name a few of his distinctive musical elements. Hovering above the psychedelic headphone boogie, Prophet’s whispery near-falsetto adds another dimension. While Prince is often associated with purple, Prophet’s musical world is wrapped in a playful yellow hue, similar to the lemons he enjoys. According to the artist, this color holds deep personal importance. 

Sex & Cigarettes — Toni Braxton

With a follow-up to her and Babyface’s collaborative effort, Toni Braxton’s Sex & Cigarettes is a solid effort from R&B’s true queen of heartbreak, even if it doesn’t quite reach classic status. The title track, a haunting piano ballad, tells a tale of emotional abuse that leaves Braxton at a devastating level of trauma. Her heartfelt delivery rescues even the lesser cuts, such as “My Heart,” which features Colbie Caillat but suffers from overly melodramatic production. A trio of strong songs opens the record, beginning with “Deadwood,” its fantastic singalong chorus accompanied by acoustic strumming and lush, chardonnay-doused strings. “Long As I Live” boasts an even stronger central melody, but the title track truly dominates this opening salvo. Despite her odd engagement to hip-hop mogul Birdman, Braxton seems stuck in a deep well of post-breakup misery, with no sign of a euphoric, love-struck high in sight. While some tracks, like the trite, tropical house excursion of “Missin’,” feel like missteps, Braxton’s emotive vocals consistently elevate the material.

Exotic Worlds and Masterful Treasures — Stimulator Jones

With Exotic Worlds and Masterful Treasures, Sam Lunsford, aka Stimulator Jones, presents a remarkable debut album that whisks to a bygone era. The songs on this album are so evocative of late-‘80s and early-‘90s R&B that it’s easy to imagine them as long-lost demos, dusted off and polished for release 20 years later. Lunsford’s blend of grooves, from boogie to G-funk, and his sweet, soaring harmonies infuse the album with a unique character that transcends time and place. Despite the nostalgic value, these songs stand firmly on their merit, with a sturdiness and craftsmanship that belies their retro vibe. Whether or not one buys into the fictional backstory, the fact remains that Lunsford’s songs are expertly crafted and imbued with a sense of authenticity that’s hard to fake.

Eleven — Melo-Zed

South London’s Melo-Zed infuses his debut album with an element of surprise. Glitch-driven beats meet street sounds, communal singing, and snippets of television audio before disappearing abruptly. While these sonic choices might seem erratic, they serve a clear purpose. “Overtired” opens with disconcerting static and the echoed words “Everybody’s in blackface,” conveying a sense of being inundated by the world’s chaos and a desire for rest and disconnection. African vocals blend with Cari’s soft singing on “Here for Me,” setting two worlds against each other as gentle steel pan notes enchant in the background. Underneath tracks that appear playful and light, deeper emotions often lie. On “Still Hungry,” Emmavie’s innocent lyrics sound like a sugar addict’s confession but allude to an unfulfilled internal void upon closer examination. Eleven shines most in its serene moments.

Travel Light — Children of Zeus

The rainy urban landscape of Manchester becomes a creative catalyst for Children of Zeus, compelling duo Tyler Daley and Konny Kon to channel their energy into a rich, genre-bending musical experience. Their debut album arrived as an evocative fusion of hip-hop, jazz, and soul, reflecting the distinct flavors of their hometown. The celestial collaboration “All On You” shines with R&B crooner [ K S R]’s sumptuous voice, while Layfullstop’s contribution to “Fear of a Flat Planet” underscores the tale of positives in a gloomy town. In this relentless shower of musical creativity, Daley and Kon effortlessly toggle between rapping and singing, masterminding a laid-back admixture that perfectly embodies the leisurely nature of Manchester’s rainy afternoons.

Childqueen — Kadhja Bonet

There are still retro elements to Childqueen, hints of gentle psychedelia, and charged excursions into 1970s funk and soul, but comparing Kadhja Bonet and her artistic output to anything else misses Childqueen’s central premise: that Bonet not only stands alone but knows exactly how to manifest her originality. When her 2016 debut arrived, it was challenging to categorize it within established musical frameworks with soft 1960s pop and soul ballad elements, layers of classical strings and dreamy synths, and Bonet’s ethereal voice. It’s advisable not to view her sophomore release, Childqueen, through a reductive lens. Her music is beyond comparison by its essence, and it strives to be so by rejecting rigid structures and genre conventions to offer insights into its creator’s extraordinary artistic vision.

I’m a Dream — Seinabo Sey

The sophomore album from Seinabo Sey arose from a phase of creative reassessment. Inspired by Beyoncé’s bold creativity and life-changing trip to West Africa, Sey created a beautiful album. The opening, “I Love You,” establishes a tone of understated passion, followed by “Never Get Used To,” which addresses grief through a subtle groove. “I Owe You Nothing” exudes self-assurance, percussion echoing Pharrell’s style. Sey’s vocal range impresses throughout, from the delicate high notes on “My Eye” to her duet with Jacob Banks on the soulful “Remember.” The album’s core, “Breathe,” encapsulates Sey’s ability to infuse optimistic instrumentation with an undercurrent of melancholy.

Overload — Georgia Anne Muldrow

Georgia Anne Muldrow’s latest album, Overload, is diverse and expansive, showcasing a different approach than her previous work. It’s a departure from the Chris Keys-produced rap of Oligarchy Sucks and the personal beat tape style of A Thoughtiverse Unmarred, both released in 2014-2015. This album provides a contemporary, unconventional take on R&B, thanks to the collaborative efforts of producers like Mike & Keys, Moods, and Lustbass. Flying Lotus, Aloe Blacc, and Dudley Perkins contributed as co-executive producers, adding their expertise to the project. For Muldrow, this perspective, perhaps extreme to those unfamiliar with her experiences, underscores the importance of love and appreciation throughout the album. The record highlights the abundance of creativity and artistry she possesses. Having moved from her SomeOthaShip base to Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label, Overload represents a significant step in her musical journey. This viewpoint is further emphasized by the themes of love and appreciation woven into the album’s fabric, making it clear that Muldrow has a wealth of talent to safeguard and share.

Retroflection — Reel People

For those yearning for the authentic sounds of vintage R&B and soul from the 1980s and early ‘90s, Retroflection by Reel People offers a refreshing experience. The album revitalizes twelve foundational soul, disco, and boogie songs interpreted by prominent modern vocalists. Mica Paris delivers a passionate rendition of Alicia Myers’s joyous “I Want to Thank You.” Angie Stone lends her signature style to Yarbrough & Peoples’ “Don’t Stop the Music.” Through “I’m In Love” and “Can’t Fake the Feeling,” Navasha Daya embodies the charm of classic disco.

Caution — Mariah Carey

In a bold move, Mariah Carey shed her old team and rebooted her career by launching a residency in Vegas and signing with Epic Records. The transformation continues with Caution, an understated album that whispers rather than screams. Gone are her previous work’s elaborate arrangements and excesses; instead, Carey presents a compact, expertly crafted collection of R&B ballads that simmer with quiet intensity. Each of the ten tracks boasts a unique combination of co-producers and co-writers, yet despite the varied creative input, the album feels remarkably cohesive.

Carey navigates the ups and downs of love with characteristic nuance, moving seamlessly from flirtation to heartbreak. The lone exception to the album’s otherwise subdued tone is “Portrait,” a strings-and-piano showstopper that bursts forth with dramatic flair, its emotional impact heightened by Daniel Moore’s expressive piano playing. Caution’s stripped-down approach is clever, allowing Carey’s voice to take center stage. Carey has created a surprisingly modern and refreshingly authentic work by paring back the ornamentation and focusing on the essentials.