I hate when people say “there’s no real rap/rock/R&B/jazz anymore,” mainly because there always “real” music, even among the poppiest of the pop songs. That said, I understand the sentiment; I often find myself wishing for current R&B that’s sexy without being absurdly sexual. I come from the ’80s and ’90s; Gen Xers and Millennials practically invented sexually explicit R&B.. But there are only so many times I can hear bad innuendo sang with heavy Auto-Tune without rolling my eyes right out of my head. Thankfully, “Need You” isn’t laden with NSFW thoughts or anything of the sort.

Instead, we get a love song that could be played during hot-and-heavy time, a wedding, or even a night at home with ya boo thang. And that, SOTB Faithfull, is why I’ll never buy someone saying that “R&B is dead.” The harmonies here are so good, as they bring to mind 1990s R&B for me. The vocals are rich and emotive. The lyrics make this song one that’ll make you find a significant other if you were iffy about it. This song is about one person making the other the happiest that they’ve ever been ad acknowledging the couple’s combined awesomeness. This is what love sounds like and I love it, plain and simple. I hope you do, as well, because I see big things for both of these artists.

Check out the latest from musician/producer Malcolm Payne and his partner in harmony Tony Ballard below and support dope music in all its forms. Also, and this is important, there’s always great music out there. You’ve just got to look for it.