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Sometimes the best new R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm-and-blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the best new R&B songs that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

Since the last update of this weekly R&B column, we’ve received plenty of music and news from the genre’s artists.

Drake and PartyNextDoor’s Some Sexy Songs 4 U debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 while Coco Jones announced her Why Not More? Tour dates. Chxrry22 unveiled a snow-covered video for “Just Like Me” and Roberta Flack, the legendary singer behind “Killing Me Softly,” sadly passed away at the age of 88.

Here are the new music releases you need to listen to:

Fridayy — Some Days I’m Good, Some Days I’m Not

Nearly two years after his self-titled debut album, Fridayy returns with his second LP, Some Days I’m Good, Some Days I’m Not. The double-disc project offers 21 songs with features from Teni, Wale, Kehlani, Joé Dwèt Filé, Chris Brown, Meek Mill, and Llona. “There’s no lane I can’t touch at a high level,” Fridayy said about the album. “I’ll give you a life record, an uplifting record, a R&B love song, a rap song, or a pop song. I feel like I can do anything, and I just want this project to reach as many ears as possible.”

Highlights: “Shotgun” Feat. Wale, “Saving My Love” Feat. Kehlani, and “Proud Of Me” Feat. Meek Mill.

Alex Isley — “Hands”

I have great news: 2025 brings new music from the incomparable Alex Isley. She begins with “Hands,” her first single since 2023’s I Left My Heart In Ladera. Isley’s new single is equal parts soulful and passionate in what makes for an excellent start for her 2025 campaign, one that promises a new EP and album by year’s end.

Honey Bxby — “Right On Time”

New Jersey singer Honey Bxby recently announced her upcoming Raw Honey EP and with that announcement comes her new single “Right On Time.” The breezy single blends pop and R&B sounds as Honey Bxby sends an ex home with their bags packed as she celebrates the arrival of a more formidable lover.

Lila Iké — “Too Late To Lie”

With her album on the way, Jamaican singer Lila Iké tackles heartbreak and its aftermath on the honest single “Too Late To Lie.” The record is a humble offering of vulnerability as Iké is forced to accept the decision her past lover made. “While this song is predominantly a song about heartbreak, it also highlights the importance of protecting one’s space and energy,” Iké says about the song. “It highlights the importance of being vigilant about where you invest your time, energy, and trust.”

Johnny Venus and 6lack — “So Beautiful”

Johnny Venus, one-half of Dreamville duo Earthgang, recently inked a deal with Sincethe80s/Epic Records and released his debut solo single “So Beautiful” with fellow Atlanta singer 6lack. “This is my saga,” Venus says of his decision to set out to be a solo artist. “This is the story that I’m telling about myself and my journey and growth, but there will still be those easter eggs.”

Jaz Karis & Kenyon Dixon — “LYTM (Remix)”

Jaz Karis’ Safe Flight was by far one of my favorite R&B albums of 2024, and in case it fell out of your rotation or slipped by your ears, Karis is back with a sweet new reminder. She returns with a remix to “LYTM” alongside Kenyon Dixon, who adds on a silky smooth verse that’s full of love and passion, in line with the song’s central message.

Raiche — “Standards”

After releasing her Making Room EP in 2024, Raiche isn’t wasting time getting back to work. She checks back in with “Standards” which arrives as the slick single makes it clear that a certain love interest isn’t up to par with her expectations in romance.

Felix Ames — “Cruel, Cruel World”

After giving us a deluxe reissue of Jena last year, Milwaukee singer Felix Ames is back to work with his first single of the year. “Cruel, Cruel World” is an honest cut about Ames’ struggles to move on from a past relationship and forget about a woman that once meant so much to her.

Ilham — “Roster”

Moroccan-American singer-songwriter Ilham puts her confidence on full display with her new single “Roster.” It’s a scathing record aimed at an ex who refuses to stay in the past. “I wrote “Roster” freshly heartbroken, wanting to create a song that offered some escapism,” Ilham said about the song. “We wrote the song imagining a more empowered version of myself. Even if I didn’t feel that way in my reality, I wanted myself and the listener to feel in control, confident, and on top of the world.”

RealestK — “Deja Vu”

Toronto singer RealestK gets the ball moving in 2025 with his new single “Deja Vu.” The emotional single showcases RealestK’s yearning desire to spend the next years of his life next to his significant other as he sings, “I’m not crazy when I’m saying I saw you in my dreams / It’s like déjà vu.”

Aqyila — “Wolf”

Canadian singer Aqyila just announced Falling Into Place with her new single “Wolf.” The record swipes at an ex who “cried wolf” one too many times, singing that “you and truth are incompatible.” As for Falling Into Place, that album drops on March 28.

Avenoir — “Art Of War”

Avenoir keeps things moving in 2025 with “Art Of War,” his second record of the year following “Crisis Evasion.” The new song dives into the complex emotions and dynamics of romantic relationships, and it lands as another strong release that will hopefully lead to more music from the Canadian singer.

Joe Kay — “Slow It Down” With Cruza and Isaiah Falls

Famed Soulection founder Joe Kay begins his official evolution from curator and DJ to full-fledged artist with his new single “Slow It Down.” The song features Isaiah Falls and Cruza and blends R&B, soul, and electronic influences for a seductive track that is the lead single to Kay’s upcoming EP.

Stranger Things, It, and Ghostbusters star Finn Wolfhard has already put some significant miles on when it comes to his music career, as the 22-year-old has released music with his bands Calpurnia and The Aubreys. Now, though, he’s going about it alone: Today (March 6), he announced his debut solo album, Happy Birthday.

That’s set for June 6, and today, he shared the lead single “Choose The Latter,” which teases him continuing in the nostalgic rock direction established with his previous projects.

Wolfhard notes in a press release that the album started with him challenging himself to write 50 songs by the end of 2022:

“I ended up writing a lot of terrible stuff, but a few of those songs I was really proud of went to the Aubreys. I started realizing a general theme in a lot of the other songs involving my identity, anxieties, nostalgia, childhood and loneliness. All of that was a part of a bigger puzzle. I knew I wanted to make a record, but I didn’t know with which songs.”

He also says of his music career more generally:

“Music for me has always been something that I can control. And while I’m really grateful for acting and for a long time, it really provided me that peace, it’s just a different thing now that I’m an adult and that it’s a career. I still enjoy it a lot, but when I am by myself and get to play guitar and write a song, it’s a different kind of feeling I’m after.”

Listen to “Choose The Latter” above, and find the Happy Birthday album art and tracklist below.

Finn Wolfhard’s Happy Birthday Album Cover Artwork

Finn Wolfhard’s Happy Birthday Tracklist

1. “Happy Birthday”
2. “Choose The Latter”
3. “Eat”
4. “Objection!”
5. “Everytown There’s A Darling”
6. “Trailers After Dark”
7. “Crown”
8. “You’
9. “Wait”

Happy Birthday is out 6/6 via AWAL. Find more information here.

Last year, Charli XCX changed the covers of her previous albums on streaming services to match the instantly-iconic Brat aesthetic, just with different colors. Gone is Charli XCX in a bikini on the hood of a car, having been replaced by the word “Crash” over an all-blue background. With the Brat Tour coming to an end in a few months, does Charli plan on changing the covers back?

“I see that you want this, I know that you want this, and I love that you want it. I love this narrative,” Charli XCX said on TikTok. “But all I’ll say is, every single thing that I’ve done, even the tiniest, smallest thing, has been for a reason. Like to the point where some people wouldn’t even know.” She continued, “What I’m saying is, everything has a purpose, everything I do has a purpose, and so when this happens, it will be for a reason.”

As for what’s next for Charli (other than her movie career), she told Variety, “I don’t really know. I’m kind of at this crossroads, I think, in my life now, where obviously my music has… yeah, reached this new level of success, I suppose. A lot has changed for me with this record, and I do experience things like people taking my photo when I don’t necessarily want them to, or feeling like people in the room are watching me. Sometimes I love that feeling and sometimes I don’t, so I don’t think there’s really a cut-and-dried answer.”

You can watch Charli XCX’s TikTok here.

We, as a society, don’t talk enough about the fact that the star of one of the most popular shows on TV is named Millie Bobby Brown. “Millie”? Sure, that makes sense. But “Bobby Brown”? That name is already taken (and reminds me of the 30 Rock joke where Michael Sheen’s Wesley Snipes vents about the other Wesley Snipes). What’s even crazier is Millie Bobby Brown is not her real name, as the Stranger Things star revealed this week.

During an interview with BuzzFeed UK to promote Netflix’s The Electric State, MBB told co-star Chris Pratt that “my middle name is Bonnie.” After he jokingly wondered if that means her full name is “Millie Bobby Bonnie Brown,” she clarified, “No, it’s no Bobby. It’s Millie Bonnie Brown.” The actress added, “I’ve never told anyone that. You heard it here first.”

So, why the name change? Is it because she loves Ghostbusters II so much? Not exactly:

Still confused by the revelation, Pratt inquired, “Your middle name is Bonnie but you just changed it to Bobby for your stage name?”

“For sh*ts and giggles,” Brown teased, before confirming it was a stage name. “Oh sh*t!” Pratt exclaimed.

But along with a different middle name, Brown recently took on a new last name. Last May, the actress tied the knot with Jake Bongiovi, taking on the name of Millie Bobby Brown Bongiovi.

A small but crucial name change? She really married into the right family.

The Electric State premieres on Netflix on March 14.

Remember when Bill Murray and Kelis were rumored to be dating? That was weird! Now, nearly two years later, the Ghostbusters actor discussed exactly what was going on there — and the way Ol’ Dirty Bastard is involved.

“I met this girl named Kelis. I got great press that I was dating her, which really raised my cred,” Murray said during a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Sway In The Morning. “Well, it was false humility again.”

The actor first became aware of the “Milkshake” singer after watching the music video for “Got Your Money” by Ol’ Dirty Bastard. “That song just kills me,” he explained. “I love that video. And I kept going, ‘That’s the silliest thing. How did I miss that when it came out in the first place? It’s so crazy.’ And I’m going, ‘Who is that girl with the red hair?’ and it was Kelis. I just had to meet her some time. She turns out to be spectacular.”

Murray then gave an update on what Kelis is up to these days. “She bought land in Kenya, in Africa. She’s in Africa,” he said. “She is not afraid of the dark.”

Ultimately, they never actually dated, but Murray hasn’t ruled out the possibility of it happening one day. “Hey, you know, one of us could be on the rebound any second,” he joked. “She might need a plowman down there.”

You can watch the interview above.

Towards the end of last year, Taylor Swift wrapped up her historic The Eras Tour, which ended up selling about $2 billion in tickets. A few hundred fans who paid for their tickets, though, didn’t end up getting to use them, thanks to the efforts of some hackers.

The misdeeds aren’t going unpunished, though: As Deadline reports, Tyrone Rose and Shamara P. Simmons have been arrested and are facing charges of second degree grand larceny, first degree computer tampering, fourth degree conspiracy, and fourth degree computer tampering. Why? They’re accused of stealing over 900 digital concert tickets, primarily for The Eras Tour, and re-selling them on StubHub, ultimately profiting more than $600,000.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement, “According to the charges, these defendants tried to use the popularity of Taylor Swift’s concert tour and other high-profile events to profit at the expensive of others. They allegedly exploited a loophole through an offshore ticket vendor to steal tickets to the biggest concert tour of the last decade and then resold those seats for an extraordinary profit of more than $600,000.”

The operation also targeted concerts from Adele and Ed Sheeran, as well as NBA games and the US Open Tennis Championships. An investigation is ongoing.

Coldplay is two albums away from retirement, but they’re staying busy until then. The Music Of The Spheres World Tour was recently named the most-attended tour of all-time, and singer Chris Martin is working with FIFA to curate the first Super Bowl-style halftime show at the World Cup final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium next year.

“I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey, in association with (advocacy organization) Global Citizen. This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino wrote on Instagram. “I also want to thank Chris Martin and [manager] Phil Harvey of Coldplay, who will be working with us at FIFA to finalize the list of artists who will perform during the halftime show, as well as at Times Square.”

It’s unclear if Coldplay will be the ones doing the performing (now’s your chance, Weird Al!). Infantino also didn’t reveal whether the halftime would be extended beyond the traditional 15 minutes.

Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour returns to the North America in May before wrapping up in London in August.

In January, Neil Young let the cat out of the bag early by revealing he was dropping off of the then-unannounced 2025 Glastonbury lineup (a decision he quickly reversed). Now, we know more about who else is involved in the UK festival: Today (March 6), the lineup was announced.

The festival runs from June 25 to 29, and among the big-font acts are, aside from Young, Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo, Doechii, The 1975, Raye, Rod Stewart, and Noah Kahan.

Also included are Alanis Morissette, Biffy Clyro, The Prodigy, Busta Rhymes, Gracie Abrams, Four Tet, Wet Leg, BadBadNotGood, Denzel Curry, Fatboy Slim, Faye Webster, Franz Ferdinand, PinkPantheress, Deftones, John Fogerty, Amaarae, Beabadoobee, Beth Gibbons, Brandi Carlile, Father John Misty, Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus, Scissor Sisters, TV On The Radio, Weezer, Jorja Smith, Djo, Future Islands, Shaboozey, Snow Patrol, St. Vincent, and Turnstile. Additional artists are still set to be announced.

Tickets for the festival have been sold out for months, but there will be additional tickets available, in a re-sale of any tickets that were canceled or returned, this spring. (As festival organizers advised following tickets selling out in November 2024, don’t fall for any ticket scams: only buy from official sources.) More information can be found on the festival website.

Folks, it’s getting rough out here. Just days after the death of R&B/soul fixture Angie Stone, Variety reports that jazz legend Roy Ayers has died at age 84. Ayers, who primarily played the vibraphone, was sometimes called “The Godfather of Neo Soul,” and was best known for his 1976 composition “Everybody Loves The Sunshine.” His legacy was kept alive through the late ’90s and early 2000s thanks to rappers’ penchants for sampling his works, from Dr. Dre and The Notorious B.I.G. to Tyler The Creator, Joey Badass, and Larry June.

Ayers’ death was confirmed in a statement from his family, which read: “It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist, composer, and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4, 2025 in New York City after a long illness.”

The legendary jazzman’s career started in the 1960s and continued into the ’70s; it included dozens of albums, along with the soundtrack for Blaxploitation classic, Coffy, which starred Pam Grier. Ayers continued to release albums into the mid-90s; his final release, Mahogany Vibe, came nearly a decade after its predecessor, in 2004. Deep into the next decade-plus, Ayers was a coveted collaborator of artists across disciplines, working with house DJs, neo-soul sirens, and even video game developers; he hosted an in-game radio station in Grand Theft Auto IV. Ayers is survived by his wife Argerie, and their children, Mtume and Ayana Ayers.

Reacher isn’t really into bench pressing weights. He also believes that it’s “stupid” to keep track of what he feels is an arbitrary number. This information landed as a blow to new foe Paulie, which set up the first of the pair’s physical conflicts in this third season. The show is steadily cranking through adapting Lee Child’s Persuader novel, and this season finale is (in my unbiased opinion) much better than the second season’s counterpart. Also, Reacher looks fab in an “I Heart Maine” t-shirt, so there’s a lot to enjoy this year on the Prime Video/Amazon series with more on the cusp.

When Does Reacher Season 3 Episode 5 Come Out?

Thursday, March 6 at 12:00am PST and 3:00am EST.

This episode, “Smackdown,” promises more Paulie Drama with the following description: “As Reacher and Paulie’s working relationship grows even more strained, the mission — and Reacher’s safety in Beck’s organization – is jeopardized by a tragic DEA misstep. Reacher, Duffy, and Villanueva must concoct an impromptu plan to salvage the mission.”

Meanwhile, get ready to see much more of Neagley (ahead of Maria Sten’s spin off) as the season finishes its eight-episode run. Alan Ritchson’s career is reaching new heights as well with him recently confirmed to lead a Blue Mountain State revival. Thad will be back? Really.