Music – 8 hours ago

Robyn Mowatt

Robyn Mowatt is a Staff Writer at Okayplayer where she…

A handful of new albums were released this week, beginning with Mac Ayres‘ highly anticipated album Comfortable Enough. Released on Friday, the follow-up to Magic 8 Ball is soulful, reflective, and rampant with nostalgia. Ayres is hopping on tour soon too, so don’t sleep.

Songbird Alex Vaughn shares The Hurtbook (Homegirl Pack) featuring Summer Walker, Ari Lennox, and Muni Long. Elsewhere in the R&B market, ELHAE shares Forgotten Flowers, his first independent project that includes a sole feature from Big K.R.I.T. Love Moor also reveals her new LOVE EP.

EST Gee releases Mad, his latest project. GloRilla drops the deluxe edition of her project, Anyways… Life’s Great. Rising rapper LG Malique shares his debut album Long Story Short. Lastly, Childish Gambino and Kirby surprise drop Swarm. 

Mac Ayres – Comfortable Enough

New albums

For his fifth studio album Mac Ayres puts together an intimate and soulful release. The entire project is fixated on relishing in the healing process that lurks beneath heartache. 

Standout Tracks: “Pretending,” “Me vs. Myself”

Alex Vaughn – The Hurtbook (Homegirl Pack)

Alex Vaughn has been putting the time in to become a skilled R&B singer and songwriter. On her latest release, she blends her ideas with a few of the biggest names in R&B right now, including LVRN labelmate Summer Walker. The end product is a smooth soundscape. 

Standout Tracks: “So Be It” feat. Summer Walker, “Demon Time” feat. Ari Lennox

GloRilla – Anyway… Life’s Great (Deluxe)

GloRilla returns with some heavy hitting remixes on the deluxe edition of her debut EP. Trina lends her voice to the energetic cut “Nut Quick,” making for a standout moment on the project.

Standout Tracks: “Nut Quick (with Trina) – Remix,” “Ex’s (Phatnall Remix) (with Lil Durk)”

ELHAE – Forgotten Flowers

ELHAE is in his feelings throughout his newest R&B EP, Forgotten Flowers. Since his feelings are the focal point of the project, listeners are taken on a poignant journey that explores heartache, secrets, a past version of himself, and so much more.

Standout Tracks: “Worked Up,” “Old Me”

EST Gee – Mad

Louisville, Kentucky native EST Gee uses anger to get out his thoughts on his current state. This project follows his pair of drops from 2022: Last Ones Left and I Never Felt Nun.

Standout Tracks: “Ball Like Me Too,” “Hotboys” feat. Boosie Badazz

LG Malique – Long Story Short

LG Malique’s debut EP, Long Story Short, features melodic elements. But it also drives the point home that he’s one of the rappers from Arkansas that you should keep your eyes on this year. The intro, “Too Easy,” is ambitious, and so is another standout on the release, “Work Fa My Spot.”

Standout Tracks: “Too Easy,” “Work Fa My Spot”

Childish Gambino, Kirby – Swarm

Swarm is the accompanying project to the new Amazon Prime Video series of the same name. It’s a genre-blending EP.

Standout Tracks: “Something Like That” feat. Kirby, “Sticky” feat. Childish Gambino & Kirby

Love Moor – LOVE

Love Moor released her sultry LOVE EP earlier this week. On it, she mixes R&B with elements of pop. The project is deeply personal, but it’s also sex-positive and empowering.

Standout Tracks: “Pacifier” feat. Moliy, “Sequel”