Playlisters’ A-Listers, Vol. 13

One of TIDAL’s founding principles is that we do not rank creativity. To each their own, in terms of what constitutes a great song or makes one song “better” than another. However, each week there are a few tunes that really test our belief system, and we can’t help but elevate them above the thousand-plus tracks we’re pitched across genres. So keep checking this space on Fridays for a list of new songs that are sitting atop our own personal playlists. Maybe yours are different. That’s cool. After all, if you are part of the TIDAL family, your opinion matters and, also, you clearly have better taste in music than your friends. That’s one ranking we can make with certainty. - Tony Gervino

Justin Bieber
SWAG

Justin Bieber returns with SWAG, an album that blends smooth R&B vibes with bold pop hooks, showcasing his evolution as both an artist and a cultural icon. With infectious beats and heartfelt lyrics, it explores themes of confidence, love and self-reflection while still keeping things fun and effortless. Featuring a mix of high-profile collaborations and solo standouts, SWAG delivers a sound that feels fresh yet unmistakably Bieber. It’s the kind of album that’s easy to put on repeat. - Amberliz Mateo

As a surprise lead-up to his forthcoming Icon album, Brent Faiyaz delivers two tracks that capture the sharp duality of his artistry. On “tony soprano.,” he channels the cold resolve of a mob boss, his falsetto gliding over cinematic strings and reflections on wealth and fame. But “peter pan.” really stands out, with Faiyaz stripping away more of his guarded persona. The raw, devotional lyrics — “I will swim through the deepest ocean to be where you are, babe,” — feel authentic and refreshingly unfiltered. Faiyaz’s juxtaposition of intimacy and detachment reminds us why he’s a singular voice in modern R&B. - Juan Navarro

Every so often, Canadian dance floor conductor KAYTRANADA teams up with one of the most exceptional voices of the R&B zeitgeist to drop a tune that will slow-cook its way into all of our playlists and DJ sets. “The Mood,” a new track alongside British R&B trio Flo, is no exception to this rule, making good use of an infectious combo: great vocals and the trademark KAYTRA groove. “The Mood” is also the latest addition to a steadily growing catalog of incredible Flo releases, cementing their position as the most remarkable UK R&B export in recent years. - Philipp Senkpiel

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Meg Duffy has a rich résumé, including work with Kevin Morby, William Tyler, the War on Drugs and Perfume Genius. Duffy’s Hand Habits, which began over a decade ago, is not limited within the boundaries of “indie folk,” but functions as an imaginative outlet for their introspective storytelling and virtuosic guitar skills. Their new music is no exception — “Jasmine Blossoms” is Hand Habits at their most dreamlike and spellbinding. Written while Duffy was living in a gorgeous part of L.A., but still dealing with the unthinkable in the news every day, the song is a proper entry point into the musical world of Hand Habits. Duffy manages to create beauty amidst turmoil, and right now that’s something we all need. - Bjørn Hammershaug

At the 1994 Grammys, Digable Planets won Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group for “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat),” which samples the 1979 Art Blakey deep cut “Stretching.” Yesterday, drummer Kassa Overall released a jazz interpretation of “Rebirth” that sounds like it could have been recorded in the mid-’60s. It sounds like the John Coltrane Quartet covering Digable Planets. Kassa also recently toured as the drummer for Digable Planets. There’s a lot going on here. All of it is awesome. - Brad Farberman

Even though Paloma Mami is only on her sophomore album, CÓDiGOS DE MUÑEKA, she’s already established herself as a music game-changer. She is one of the first to rep Chile; one of the first of her generation to seamlessly blend English and Spanish lyrics; and, of course, one of the first to give vibrant life to R&B en Español. On her second set, the Ñueva York native stakes her claim as one of the most dynamic artists in the genre, delivering bangers in reggaeton, R&B, pop and more. On the seductive “LA FREAK,” the Tidal Rising alum trades bedroom bars with the one artist who can match her, well, freak — Rauw Alejandro. But it’s her solo tracks (“iGO,” “Mi KAMA,” “ASTROS,” “10+1”) where you can truly see Paloma’s growth. It proves that this muñeka doesn’t play around. - Jesús Triviño Alarcón

Teyana Taylor is back and reminding us why she’s one of R&B’s most cherished voices. After a lengthy hiatus, her latest string of singles builds anticipation for her forthcoming album. Her latest track, “Bed of Roses,” is a standout, dripping in the soulful, sultry energy of the ’90s. It’s smooth, sexy and soaked in nostalgia. Taylor hasn’t missed a beat, and is still delivering the timeless sound R&B lovers crave. - Tonya Nelson