Best Songs of The Week: ft. SZA, VanJess, and More [Playlist]

The Round-Up playlist is Okayplayer’s weekly haul of the best songs in the worlds of hip-hop and R&B. This week’s set features new music from SZA, VanJess, JWords, Big Sean, YL, and more. Scroll through selections from our latest sequence below and subscribe to Okayplayer’s Spotify channel today.

Slauson Malone feat. Jai - "Simile #7 (see page 127 and Ttrabul 2)"

Following up an expansive experimental debut, Slauson Malone returns with a new transmission, condensing the melancholy of the moment into something brief, beautiful, and glitch-heavy.

The Twilite Tone - "Baby Steps"

Warming the water for his inaugural Stones Throw outing, The Twilite Tone lets loose another sample of what's ahead. Stacking mounds of sleek synths over a kung-fu swing and buzzing bass groove, the producer's latest is a dazzling instrumental suite, tailor-made for an R&B upstart.

Reginald Chapman - "You Got To My Head (Stro Elliot Remix)"

The Roots' Stro Elliot breathes new life into a standout from Reginald Chapman's stellar introductory piece, Prototype. 

Steve Arrington - "Make a Difference"

The march towards Steve Arrington's new album carries on with a hazy and minimalistic DJ Harrison-produced two-stepper.

VanJess - "Come Over"

VanJess may finally be signaling a follow-up to their 2018 breakout, Silk Canvas. Their latest single is a smooth and sophisticated shot of dance floor fodder.

YL and Zoomo feat. Starker - "Ragatoni"

YL and Zoomo's latest collaborative tape, Born Again, is officially free of Bandcamp exclusivity. The project's lead single,"Ragatoni," proves the potency and purity and of their creative kinship.

SZA feat. Ty Dolla $ign - "Hit Different"

Back with her first non-soundtrack single since breaking R&B wide open with Ctrl in 2017, SZA enlists Ty Dolla $ign and The Neptunes for a simmering and sensual late-night anthem.

Big Sean feat. Anderson .Paak, Wale, and Earlly Mac - "Guard Your Heart"

Big Sean's ambitiously expansive Detroit sequel has arrived. Loaded with myriad features, this collaborative cut with Anderson .Paak and Wale is a tender mid-album change of pace.