The Best R&B Albums of 2015

Hug your pillow tightly and check out the best of 2015.

A Soulful Year - It’s a wrap for 2015, and now it’s time to tally up the scores of some of the best R&B albums released over the past 12 months. This year marked the return of some of our favorites artists like Erykah Badu, Tyrese, and Ms. Jackson herself, but those aren’t the only ones that brought the heat. Behind the scenes, songwriters were shining brightly alongside other artists that, even though years out from their debut, are still proving they've got the staying power needed to become legends. A favorite newcomer even managed to break into the mix for an imaginative hip hop/R&B ride. It’s been a good year. Here are some R&B albums that had us loving, vibing, and rocking. —Jon Reyes(Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images, Jason Merritt/Getty Images, Mike Windle/Getty Images)

1 / 10

A Soulful Year - It’s a wrap for 2015, and now it’s time to tally up the scores of some of the best R&B albums released over the past 12 months. This year marked the return of some of our favorites artists like Erykah Badu, Tyrese, and Ms. Jackson herself, but those aren’t the only ones that brought the heat. Behind the scenes, songwriters were shining brightly alongside other artists that, even though years out from their debut, are still proving they've got the staying power needed to become legends. A favorite newcomer even managed to break into the mix for an imaginative hip hop/R&B ride. It’s been a good year. Here are some R&B albums that had us loving, vibing, and rocking. —Jon Reyes(Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images, Jason Merritt/Getty Images, Mike Windle/Getty Images)

Stacy Barthe, BEcoming - Where do genres begin and end for Stacy? BEcoming doesn’t really answer the question for us, but it does let listeners inside of what drives the artist to write songs for the likes of Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, and Rihanna: solid R&B love songs.(Photo: Motown Records)

2 / 10

Stacy Barthe, BEcoming - Where do genres begin and end for Stacy? BEcoming doesn’t really answer the question for us, but it does let listeners inside of what drives the artist to write songs for the likes of Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, and Rihanna: solid R&B love songs.(Photo: Motown Records)

James Fauntleroy and India Shawn, Outer Limits - James has already proven his prowess contributing to Rihanna, Frank Ocean, Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, and Kendrick Lamar’s respective catalogs. On Outer Limits he brings in Los Angeles-born artist-songwriter India Shawn for a tempered and layered R&B album. Between India’s vocals and the dynamic instrumentation throughout the album, you get the sense you’re listening to something happening in the future.(Photo: James Fauntleroy & India Shawn)

3 / 10

James Fauntleroy and India Shawn, Outer Limits - James has already proven his prowess contributing to Rihanna, Frank Ocean, Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, and Kendrick Lamar’s respective catalogs. On Outer Limits he brings in Los Angeles-born artist-songwriter India Shawn for a tempered and layered R&B album. Between India’s vocals and the dynamic instrumentation throughout the album, you get the sense you’re listening to something happening in the future.(Photo: James Fauntleroy & India Shawn)

Tyrese, Black Rose - Social media fanatic and singer Tyrese actually delivered an album worth stacking up against R&B releases of the year. Why should we be surprised? The voice has always been there, yet, on Black Rose, rap gimmicks and radio pandering are left behind. Tyrese is fully concentrating on interpretation here and it works all the way through. He sounds sincere and there’s no doubt about that on songs like “Shame” or the star-size duet with Brandy, “Rest of Our Lives.” Tyrese is always at his best in the studio.(Photo: Voltron Recordz)

4 / 10

Tyrese, Black Rose - Social media fanatic and singer Tyrese actually delivered an album worth stacking up against R&B releases of the year. Why should we be surprised? The voice has always been there, yet, on Black Rose, rap gimmicks and radio pandering are left behind. Tyrese is fully concentrating on interpretation here and it works all the way through. He sounds sincere and there’s no doubt about that on songs like “Shame” or the star-size duet with Brandy, “Rest of Our Lives.” Tyrese is always at his best in the studio.(Photo: Voltron Recordz)

Janet Jackson, Unbreakable - Not all comebacks need pyrotechnics and bullhorns, but it does need fanfare. In this case, fans were definitely hyped for Janet Jackson’s first album in eight years. Sticking to what has always made her sound stronger, she teamed up with long-time collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for Unbreakable. The collection of songs were less pop-and-lock Janet and more of introspective Janet. The mid-tempo tracks and ballads leave us with a sense that Janet is still a recording artist with things to sing about.(Photo: Rhythm Nation / BMG)

5 / 10

Janet Jackson, Unbreakable - Not all comebacks need pyrotechnics and bullhorns, but it does need fanfare. In this case, fans were definitely hyped for Janet Jackson’s first album in eight years. Sticking to what has always made her sound stronger, she teamed up with long-time collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for Unbreakable. The collection of songs were less pop-and-lock Janet and more of introspective Janet. The mid-tempo tracks and ballads leave us with a sense that Janet is still a recording artist with things to sing about.(Photo: Rhythm Nation / BMG)

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Jill Scott, Woman - Not that Jill abandoned her roots or anything, but Woman is her return to original form. For starters, the album kicks off with a spoken word very reminiscent of her debut album 15 years ago and she sounds just as fresh and on top of it. While she’s been known to take certain elements from different genres, tracks like “Say Thank You,” “Run Run Run,” and “Coming to You” show her delving deeply into blues, funk, and retro R&B without the need to lean on fusion. Very few artists can have both their vocal talent and charisma shine brightly hand-in-hand, but Jilly from Philly is the pro we need in the game.(Photo: Blues Babe Records)

6 / 10

Jill Scott, Woman - Not that Jill abandoned her roots or anything, but Woman is her return to original form. For starters, the album kicks off with a spoken word very reminiscent of her debut album 15 years ago and she sounds just as fresh and on top of it. While she’s been known to take certain elements from different genres, tracks like “Say Thank You,” “Run Run Run,” and “Coming to You” show her delving deeply into blues, funk, and retro R&B without the need to lean on fusion. Very few artists can have both their vocal talent and charisma shine brightly hand-in-hand, but Jilly from Philly is the pro we need in the game.(Photo: Blues Babe Records)

Erykah Badu, But You Caint Use My Phone - It had to be Badu. Who else could deliver a collection of songs revolving around everyone’s love for their cellphone? The heart of the album is her rendition of Drake’s “Hotline Bling” and on top of it totally working, you get the feeling that as elusive as Erykah is, she likes the same things we do. Case in point: bringing in André 3000 for a collaboration? It’s like she’s listening to us.(Photo: Motown Records)

7 / 10

Erykah Badu, But You Caint Use My Phone - It had to be Badu. Who else could deliver a collection of songs revolving around everyone’s love for their cellphone? The heart of the album is her rendition of Drake’s “Hotline Bling” and on top of it totally working, you get the feeling that as elusive as Erykah is, she likes the same things we do. Case in point: bringing in André 3000 for a collaboration? It’s like she’s listening to us.(Photo: Motown Records)

Ty Dolla $ign, Free TC - It’s been a good wait for this debut album by Ty; three years to be exact. The wait was so worth it. Whether paired with Kanye, Diddy, and E-40 or a piano, Ty Dolla $ign adapts and manages to not get lost among these heavy hitters. Even Babyface himself jumped in on Free TC to show us that he can handle his own among R&B’s finest pens and voices. Quite frankly, he doesn’t need all the help because Ty shines alone — just check “Horses in the Stable” if there’s any doubt.(Photo: Taylor Gang Records)

8 / 10

Ty Dolla $ign, Free TC - It’s been a good wait for this debut album by Ty; three years to be exact. The wait was so worth it. Whether paired with Kanye, Diddy, and E-40 or a piano, Ty Dolla $ign adapts and manages to not get lost among these heavy hitters. Even Babyface himself jumped in on Free TC to show us that he can handle his own among R&B’s finest pens and voices. Quite frankly, he doesn’t need all the help because Ty shines alone — just check “Horses in the Stable” if there’s any doubt.(Photo: Taylor Gang Records)

The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness - Nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year, Beauty Behind the Madness is officially Abel Tesfaye's second album. While for many fans who’ve been with Abel since his 2011 mixtapes, this is already an extension of an extensive collection of songs. The Canadian crooner purposed himself for a more mainstream approach, enlisting pop producer Max Martin for “Can’t Feel My Face” and “In the Night,” but the real jams on the record are ones produced by him and long-time producer Illangelo.”The Hills” and “Earned It” topped the charts without compromising the Weeknd’s signature sound of eerie R&B. They're actually the tracks produced by the Weeknd himself that provide the core theme of what happens after lust takes over. Opener “Real Life” has the singer pleading, “Don't waste precious tears on me, I'm not worth the misery…” and even “Acqua...

9 / 10

The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness - Nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year, Beauty Behind the Madness is officially Abel Tesfaye's second album. While for many fans who’ve been with Abel since his 2011 mixtapes, this is already an extension of an extensive collection of songs. The Canadian crooner purposed himself for a more mainstream approach, enlisting pop producer Max Martin for “Can’t Feel My Face” and “In the Night,” but the real jams on the record are ones produced by him and long-time producer Illangelo.”The Hills” and “Earned It” topped the charts without compromising the Weeknd’s signature sound of eerie R&B. They're actually the tracks produced by the Weeknd himself that provide the core theme of what happens after lust takes over. Opener “Real Life” has the singer pleading, “Don't waste precious tears on me, I'm not worth the misery…” and even “Acqua...

Miguel, Wildheart - Mix in a little bit of rock, sex, and moans and you get Wildheart, Miguel's third album. This follow-up to Kaleidoscope Dream shows the artist growing past the popularity of his massive hit, "Adorn." Miguel knows his strengths and plays heavily into them. We're not mad.(Photo: RCA Records)

10 / 10

Miguel, Wildheart - Mix in a little bit of rock, sex, and moans and you get Wildheart, Miguel's third album. This follow-up to Kaleidoscope Dream shows the artist growing past the popularity of his massive hit, "Adorn." Miguel knows his strengths and plays heavily into them. We're not mad.(Photo: RCA Records)