5 Great R&B Albums You May Have Missed in 2024

A couple of days ago, we revisited a few great hip-hop albums that may have fallen through your cracks. Never fear, your boy is always here to help you fill in the gaps in your playlist.

Today, we look at R&B in 2024 and, well, it just hasn’t been the strongest year for the genre. Things looked very promising at the beginning of the year thanks to several high-profile releases. Unfortunately, several of them underwhelmed – a trend that continued throughout the months. That said, there are still a few wins to celebrate, from classic soul to more modern R&B fare.

Here are five albums that certainly deserve a listen.

Tyrese, Beautiful Pain

Tyrese has been through it – just ask him. And while you can certainly question some of his more public antics – y’all know I have – there are two things you can’t take away from him: his passion and his talent. Beautiful Pain is a heavy but mesmerizing look at Tyrese’s romantic struggles, leaning heavily into 70s-inspired production and performances. Despite it being a lengthy project, it rarely drags, thanks to Tyrese’s stirring performances. Seriously, it’s some of his best vocal work in his career. Heartbreak always makes the best music, and Tyrese is keeping that tradition alive.

Syleena Johnson, Legacy

Word around the block is that Legacy might be Syleena’s final solo R&B project. That would be a shame – she’s spent more than two decades releasing some of the most underrated LPs of her generation. But if this is the end, it’s a sweet way to go out. Legacy is a tribute to her legendary father Syl, building upon the samples, production and life lessons he shared with her over the years. The result is a album that visualizes the stong bond between father and daughter, with all the joys and heartbreak that come with it. It’s not just a strong tribute to Syl’s memory, but it makes Syleena’s legacy even stronger too.

Leon Thomas, Mutt

Leon Thomas’ debut Electric Dusk was one of 2023’s most overlooked releases, so I hope y’all pay close attention to album No. 2. Mutt’s biggest claim to fame is the feisty title track, but there’s much more to discover here. Mutt is an ode to the complexity of relationships, from erecting emotional boundaries to tearing them down to rekindle lost loves. Even though the mood is mostly mellow, Thomas picks of the pace of the production when it best serves the story he’s telling. Leon is evolving into one of R&B’s most eclectic, yet consistent voices. Not bad for a mutt.

Muni Long, Revenge

Most Soul In Stereo regulars know that Muni Long has been in the game a mighty long time – I’m talking before Instagram was even invented – and it’s cool to see decades of hard work finally pay off. “Made for Me” became THE viral hit of 2023 but she’s not coasting of the success of that one hit. Revenge, her best LP to date, is proof that she’s ready to strike back against  the doubters. Songwriting has always been her greatest strength, which gives  the sonic stories of tracks like “30s,” “Things I Never Said” and “Superpowers” (one of my favorite tracks of the year) much more meaning. Her fiery delivery and flashes of vulnerability make this project as entertaining as it is sincere. Even with all her experience, Muni’s still growing as an artist. Growth looks good on her.

October London, October Nights

Last year this time, October London was a gaining momentum, and growing fanbase, after his debut album invoked the spirit of Marvin Gaye. As impressive as it was, I was more interested in the next step of his evolution. October Nights proves that he can be more than a Marvin tribute act. On his latest, the nods to 70s soul are still strong, but has no problem branching out, giving listeners upbeat cuts and soulful midtempos that serve his vocals well. He also finds great chemistry with guests like Tyrese and Ledisi, and his effort with Babyface, “Missing You,” might be his best track to date. He’s clearly an old soul, but he has no trouble bringing that soulfulness into a new era of R&B.

Now it’s your turn – share your favorite underrated R&B releases this year below.