R&B has given us music that gets into your psyche and takes complete control: Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Usher, Atlantic Starr, Keith Sweat, Jodeci, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, the list goes on.
But for a while, the genre seemed to have lost its charm. The sound shifted: too much pop influence, too much trap bleeding in, a blend of genres that pulled R&B away from what made it special.
Nobody was making those kinds of records anymore, the ones with vocals that hit you, intimacy you could feel, lyrics that left something to the imagination and weren’t so crude.
The baby-making music that soundtracked your joy and soothed your heartbreak.
At Neon Music, we’ve watched the tide turn. Artists like SZA and Ella Mai sparked a revival, and in 2025, there’s a wave of new talent maintaining that momentum.
We’re talking 10 tracks here, from Ebony’s ethereal “Only You” to Isaia Huron and Kehlani’s soul-stirring “See Right Through Me,” that remind you what R&B does best: emotion, intimacy, and records that stick with you.
These are new and upcoming artists doing it right, and we’re excited to show you what’s out there on Neon Music.
If you know a track that carries the same spirit, drop us a recommendation. This list isn’t stopping at 10. It’ll keep growing as long as artists keep delivering.
ESTA. & Leon Thomas – “dangerous game” (May 17, 2024)
Producer ESTA. and singer Leon Thomas create a late-night mood with jazz chords and neo-soul grooves. Thomas warns about passion’s risks over rolling hi-hats and deep bass, his falsetto riding ESTA.’s textured production. The result feels like D’Angelo’s Voodoo: seductive and cautionary in equal measure.
KWN – “Back Of The Club” (June 20, 2025)
KWN captures dance-floor escapism with a throbbing four-on-the-floor beat. The lyrics paint a sweaty rave romance where vulnerability meets uninhibited freedom.
His vocals land somewhere between Frank Ocean’s introspection and Kaytranada’s club-ready grooves, bass thumping under shimmering synths.
Victoria Noelle – “In the Name of Love” (June 21, 2025)
A bright, mid-tempo cut that channels early 2000s R&B. Noelle celebrates trust and healing over bouncing synths and warm bass, her breezy vocals promising to catch you when you fall. Love is “contagious” here, and the whole track feels like summer.
Isaia Huron feat. Kehlani – “See Right Through Me” (August 8, 2025)
From Huron’s debut album Concubania, this ballad unfolds over church-like harmonies and shimmering keys. Huron confesses vulnerability while Kehlani adds a hushed verse, both voices asking to be seen unconditionally. The choir-backed arrangement makes the intimacy hit harder.
rjtheweirdo – “Studio Rat” (September 5, 2025)
Los Angeles experimentalist rjtheweirdo pays homage to those who live in the studio. Lean, bass-heavy production features murky synths and jittery drums while rj’s laid-back delivery paints late-night sessions. It’s hazy, hypnotic, and made for headphones; think Knxwledge or early Anderson .Paak.
Isaiah Falls & SiR – “Brown Sugah” (September 5, 2025)
A sultry tribute to Black and Brown women with velvet vocals and groove-driven production. Falls and SiR compare women’s essence to brown sugar over funky guitar riffs and lush harmonies. The smooth delivery recalls ’90s neo-soul and quiet-storm radio.
Elmiene – “Different Too” (September 5, 2025)
Off his Heat the Streets mixtape, Elmiene celebrates a woman whose intellect sets her apart. She writes poetry in bed, and he admires her mind more than her looks.
A gentle guitar line underpins hushed vocals, giving the track an intimate feel reminiscent of Sampha or Cleo Sol.
Jaymin – “Something Real” (September 26, 2025)
Jaymin’s yearning for authenticity drives this track. Over smoky guitar licks and finger-snap percussion, he contrasts superficial flings with the desire for something unfiltered.
The hook sticks: he croons “give me something real” as stacked vocals echo his plea. Sleek mid-tempo R&B with deeper vulnerability underneath.
Ebony – “Only You” (October 10, 2025)
Detroit singer Ebony Riley explores devotion and intimacy in two measured minutes. Her voice moves from whispers to powerful notes over minimal production, each one lingering.
The song’s brevity makes the repeated refrain hit harder. Fans of Jazmine Sullivan or H.E.R. will hear the mix of classic tenderness and contemporary minimalism.
JayDon – “Brand New” (October 10, 2025)
Teenage phenom JayDon seeks a fresh start after a toxic relationship. His soaring vocals recall classic R&B while he questions whether his love ever felt genuine over a smooth, guitar-driven groove. The track underscores his potential as Usher’s mentee, calm melodies carrying heartfelt vocals.