@kendall peterson

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After self-releasing a couple of EPs in her early twenties, SZA (born Solána Rowe in 1989 in St. Louis, Missouri) became the first female artist signed to Top Dawg Entertainment, joining future collaborators Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock. Her 2017 debut album, <i>Ctrl</i>, put her at the vanguard of contemporary R&B, mixing the expressivity of classic soul with a hazy, synth-heavy atmosphere and a playful sense of lyricism (“Broken Clocks,” “Garden (Say It Like Dat),” “Tread Carefully”) that brought out Rowe’s inner monologue. Following a five-year gap, 2022’s <i>SOS</i> crystallized her status as one of the most dynamic and commercially dominant singer-songwriters of her era. Coated in an eclectic mix of hip-hop, R&B, folk, electronics, and more, the sophomore LP (and its 2024 deluxe edition, with 15 new tracks) finds SZA tackling imperfect love, with tracks like the chart-topping “Kill Bill” and the Grammy-winning “Snooze” embodying the type of songwriting that can be as ironic as it is heartfelt—a trademark for artists that turn emotional chaos into idiosyncratic grace.

“Hey Siri, play the Escape playlist.”

Just as they carved out a unique lane in hip-hop with Latin trap and reggaetón, artists from all over the globe have been making equally bold moves in R&B. This is the sound of the genre getting its passport stamped—a mix that encompasses soulful new voices from the Spanish-, Portuguese-, and English-speaking worlds. Our editors are constantly adding new tunes to this playlist. If you hear something you like, add it to your library.

“Winter definitely shifts things for me,” Leon Thomas tells Apple Music. “It’s more of an introspective time. I find myself focusing on creative projects, staying cozy and tapping into deeper thoughts that can sometimes get lost in the rush of the year. This season brings a slower pace that I really appreciate—it lets me get in tune with my craft and reflect on what I want to bring into the new year.” The singer-songwriter, producer, and actor knows, too, that there’s a certain kind of music that can help ease you into that slower, more contemplative place—and he’s shared 90 songs that hit the brief right here. This music harnesses, he says, a “richness that’s comforting and reflective. Winter has a low-key, moody sound—a mix of soul, jazz, and R&B that feels like sitting by a fire or watching snow fall, if you’re in the right location. It’s something with weight and warmth, like a bassline that wraps around you.” He envisions these songs being heard “anywhere cozy—a cabin in the woods, chilling at home with a candle lit, or even on a night drive,” but what counts most is where they take you. “This playlist is all about setting a mellow, introspective vibe, wherever that may be,” he adds.