The Archive: New Music from Tone Stith, Giveon & Drake
From Drake’s raw returns to Mya’s independent funk comeback, Azarian Magazine charts the week's biggest music releases. Stream our curated playlists featuring Giveon, Tone Stith, and Jorja Smith.
Welcome back to The Archive, your premier weekly guide to the culture’s definitive sonic offerings. This week, the landscape is shifting. R&B is reasserting its dominance with vulnerable, legacy-defining statements, while hip-hop tests the limits of raw emotion and pure street resilience. From highly anticipated independent comebacks to sudden multi-album drops, we are sifting through the noise to bring you the projects you need to hear.
Staff Picks: The 7 Essentials You Need to Hear
Mya, ‘Retrospect’
Independent power player Mya returns after an eight-year album hiatus with her ninth studio effort, Retrospect, distributed via Virgin Music Group/Planet 9. Deeply rooted in late-’70s and early-’80s funk, the album is positioning itself nicely in the urban contemporary landscape. The project balances commercial appeal with meticulous musicianship, capturing a sophisticated demographic that values live instrumentation over standard MIDI programming.
“A celebratory and joyful yet introspective record... it blends funk-oriented sounds and signature harmonies of that time with ‘90s R&B.”
Drake, ‘Iceman’
In a characteristically polarizing market saturation strategy, Drake dropped a triad of solo efforts this past week, anchored by Iceman. Commercially, it marks a significant pivot back to aggressive solo rap since his collaborative era. The album’s sonic texture plays heavily on cold, atmospheric production that attempts to process the collateral damage of his public industry feuds.
“Iceman makes it evident from kick off that the scars of Drake’s feuds are still painful for him.”
Tone Stith, ‘The Edge’
Tone Stith’s The Edge represents a major commercial risk that is paying off in artistic dividends. Stepping away from the traditional, formulaic R&B love song, Stith leans into a refined, full-band energy. Track performance indicates strong streaming stickiness due to its high-octane emotional vulnerability and immaculate vocal arrangements.
“Music really chose me... The Edge marks the first time he feels he has a complete message that goes beyond love songs.”
Giveon, ‘Beloved: Act II’
Giveon’s Beloved: Act II is less of a standard deluxe cash-grab and more of a profound third act to a cinematic tragedy. The eight-time Grammy nominee expands on his sophomore masterwork by adding five vital chapters that plunge deeper into his striking baritone range. It is an exploration of isolation, luxury, and the suffocating realities of modern romance.
“This deluxe edition unveils five exclusive bonus songs, offering a deeper look into the artist’s introspective lyrics and captivating baritone.”
Tayc, ‘JOYA’
The French-Cameroonian maestro returns with JOYA, an expansive 20-track treatise dedicated entirely to the philosophy of joy. Standing out against a global landscape frequently bogged down by existential dread, Tayc introduces a vibrant cross-pollination of “Afro Love” and classic R&B. The album operates as an invitation to movement, heavy with personal references and radiant musical arrangements.
“Avec ‘Joya’, Tayc lance la Joy Music, un univers nourri d’Afro Love, de R’n’B et de références personnelles.”
414Junglebaby, ‘Jungle This Jungle That’
Hailing from the trenches and backed by 300 Entertainment, 414Junglebaby delivers unfiltered realism on Jungle This Jungle That. This 10-track project doesn’t ask for permission; it demands attention. It is street-level storytelling at its most urgent, driven by erratic percussion and a vocal delivery that sounds like survival itself.
“A raw hip-hop project... driven by street-level stories and erratic energy that captures the reality of the hustle.”
Shaylin B, ‘Brand New’
Rising R&B powerhouse Shaylin B clears the air on her 10-track project Brand New. Refusing to play the victim of modern love, she leans directly into the messy, uncomfortable, and highly relatable realities of heartbreak and self-restoration. The production bounces, but the lyrics slice deep.
“Rather than presenting a perfect version of love, Shaylin B leans into the messy, emotional reality of it all.”
Songs to add to your rotation
The auxiliary soundtrack keeping our offices locked in this week. No skips allowed.
‘Just Call My Name’ by Mýa
‘Cast All Your Cares’ by Beverley Knight
‘KEEPER’ by GIVĒON
‘Apollo’ by Bryant Barnes
‘CANDY BOY’ by Tayc
‘BETTER DAYS’ by Tone Stith
‘I Like It (The Longest First Date Version)’ by YawnyBlew, Je’Vel, Ty McKinnie
‘Moonflower’ by Devon Gilfillian
‘Classic’ by Drake
‘Saying My Name’ by 414JungleBaby
‘Holyoke Mall (Yukon)’ by Ish Akanour
‘One on One’ by Adanna Duru, Bas
‘No Pressure’ by Mýa, Snoop Dogg
‘Down For The One’ by Beverley Knight
‘Money Money Money’ by Autumn Paige
‘PUNK B!TCH’ by PARTYOF2, Jadagrace, SWIM
‘Janice STFU’ by Drake
‘COME TO ME’ by Tone Stith
‘Wait’ by rodiswell
‘CAN YOU FEEL IT TOO’ by Tone Stith
‘Storm tracker’ by Midelle
‘Press Back’ by Sean Paul
‘Dirty Rosie’ by Shania Twain
‘bandaids’ by Katy Perry
‘Hell’s Belles’ by Zolita
‘But, Nvm’ by Baby Rose
‘What’s Done Is Done’ by Jorja Smith
‘Memphis’ by rachel ruzumna
‘Infinity (123)’ by December 10
‘MASTERPIECE’ by Tayc, Masego
‘cul-de-sac’ by Maya J’an
‘Life is What You Make It’ by Mýa
‘Try Again’ by Brooke Hogan
‘Happy Tears’ by Quail P
‘AVALANCHE’ by GIVĒON
‘Sos’ by Shaylin B
‘Ran To Atlanta’ by Drake, Future, Molly Santana
Listening Room
“What Is Done Is Done” by Jorja Smith
Few voices in modern soul possess the gravitational pull of British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith. Over the years, she has mastered the art of restraint, using her sultry, jazz-inflected vocals to dissect love, loss, and the heavy spaces in between.
This week, we are looking closely at her standout track, “What’s Done Is Done.” Clocking in at a tight 2:54, the record acts as an auditory deep breath. Smith effortlessly navigates the heavy realization that certain bridges must burn for personal evolution to take place. Her vocal delivery is characteristically smoky and grounded, floating over a production that feels both minimalist and profoundly cinematic. It is a stunning masterclass in finality—proving once again that Jorja’s deepest strength lies in her ability to make peace with the past while looking directly ahead.
To dive deeper into these curated collections, head over to Audiomack. Whether you’re sinking into the smooth, melodic flows of Liquid Vibes, catching the undeniable heat of The A-List, or taking a moment for yourself with The Check In, plus stay in the loop of queer talent with PRISM. We’ve got your soundtrack covered. Tap in and stay connected.