Saint Heron

It's the new new-jack swing. While the wait goes on for Solange Knowles's big album (the one where she will hopefully show that Losing You was no fluke), she took time out to oversee this 12-track recce of what's what and who's who on the new-school r'n'b beat. If r'n'b is having a moment in the wake of Frank Ocean and The Weeknd, Saint Heron is about amplifying the sound's more soulful side – and not at the expense of its buckwild tendencies. Time and time again, acts such as Cassie, Sampha, Jhené Aiko and Petite Noir plough the leftfield terrain and come up trumps with beautifully pared-back space-age sounds, harmonies and melodies. Each time, though, there's a pop lilt or riff or hook at the heart of the dramatics to remind you of where these tunes ultimately want to reside. A real statement of intent. saintheron.com
Download: Sampha, Beneath the Tree; Solange, Cash In, Keela, Go All Night