Alternative R&B

Hertfordshire’s Owen Saward unveils Belief: Chapter 1, a soulful EP blending classic 2000s R&B with modern flair. Showcasing infectious hooks, rich melodies, and club-ready production, this release marks a bold step in the genre’s resurgence and cements Saward’s growing reputation for emotionally resonant, contemporary R&B.

Doechii’s “Anxiety” video is a raw, visually arresting portrayal of inner turmoil and emotional vulnerability. Through haunting imagery and poetic lyricism, she explores the complexities of mental health, self-acceptance, and survival. The video amplifies her message with surreal aesthetics, making “Anxiety” a powerful statement on strength through struggle.

Harlem-based visionary Candice Hoyes returns with “Far Away Star,” a powerful jazz reinterpretation of a Swedish traditional song, inspired by Duke Ellington’s 1978 recording. Collaborating with Grammy-winner Ted Nash, Hoyes delivers soaring opera-infused vocals and original lyrics that explore Black ancestral history, justice, and freedom—marking a stirring and genre-blending start to her year.