I can't explain what sound I'm talking about but will try, it's that cozy warm feeling with those melodies that are emotional, but the sound radiates a sort of energy that feels like a warm blanket, it wasn't trying to sound "alternative", or irritating to the year, all the instruments and notes hit are "rounded" per say, like the don't have sharp edges and are relaxing and soft.

Songs like this

I know exactly what you mean, the modern R&B aesthetic and sound is generally very cold and black & white
It still exists tho but it is often muted by "trap" drums

Because being a dark RnB edglord that can sing makes the big bucks

Exactly, that's exactly what I'm talking about, I believe that PARTYNEXtDOOR brought that sound in and it has never left since

bring back this sound

mainstream r&b has either become very POP or dark Trap influenced. Of course you have Weeknd and Bruno who are doing their own things but their current styles aren’t constantly repeated.

time is a flat circle

It’ll come around

also America is more depressed than ever sooo its more of a reflection

yeah but who constantly need a depressing echo chamber

bring me some vibes

Rnb now is overall just darker and cynical from the writing to the production. And then throw in singers tryna sing over 808s and add in how music in general is recorded today is less likely to be recording a***og then that warmth is no longer exists

Persian Rugs out now

Bro PND1 had trap staccato drums before Weeknd ever did

I find a lot r&b recently is actually pretty soulful recently with more organic textures and instruments

this rings more true for mid 2010s when we had more trap sound which was more popular

Novacane and Marvin’s Room ruined this sound

great album

guys can't really sing anymore and aren't growing up in the church

Luke James out now

this ain’t the topic but f*** it, sunshine all over this song ☀️

Need this sound back cause my comment on an ig thot’s page got ignored and everyone else’s didn’t

Soo generation after next gonna handle it then

reggae lowkey needs some comeback

as said before females really carrying these days