The weekend of Feb. 3 was a great time for music. Three highly-anticipated albums came out on the exact same day: “I Decided.” by Big Sean, “Fin” by Syd of The Internet, and “Process” by Sampha. Syd and Sampha both gifted us with the masterpieces for debut albums. Big Sean’s was definitely everything we expected it to be an even more. All three of these albums offered different things to me personally.

Big Sean’s fourth album “I Decided.” was by far his best, and also a great follow-up to his 2015 album “Dark Sky Paradise.” Sean had all of us excited once he released his first single for the album “Bounce Back” in late 2016. That was followed with an amazing visual for the song. He later released other tracks from the album like “Moves” which was partnered with a kaleidoscope-like visual, and the week before he gifted us with “Halfway off the Balcony.” These were great appetizers, but I needed the album. Thankfully, a few days later, the album came and it was exactly what I needed and expected from him. When I listen to Big Sean I feel like I’m the man! He makes you feel like you’re on a balcony in the south of France in a vintage Versace button-down.

After I digested Sean’s album I was more than ready to listen to “Fin” by The Internet. When I had first heard she was coming out with a solo project I was very intrigued because The Internet is very much misfit hip-hop/R&B, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect from her. I decided the best thing for me to do was go in blind. I avoided every visual, every post, every Spotify notification when she released a song until the full album came. I was very surprised and pleased by it. It was really good. It had a vibe that you can’t resist. It honestly gives you some Aaliyah and Erykah Badu vibes. The standout tracks for me were definitely “Nothin’ to Somethin,” “Drown in It,” and “Smile More”. She is definitely playing a part in the return of R&B.

Last, Sampha came in with a very hauntingly beautiful debut, “Process”. I came across him from hearing his music on TV shows like “Scandal” and “How to Get Away with Murder.” He makes great songs for those little emotional moments we all go through. As of recent the public may know of him because of his feature on Solange Knowles’s album on the song “Don’t Touch My Hair.” His album was full of all the emotions from loss of love, finding love, being hurt in general, etc. It’s just a collection of songs you know you’re going to hear on TV or movies, or when you’re in the mood to feel some things. He has a great way of mixing the traditional elements of alternative music with hints of R&B and EDM.