The Sexiest Songs of 2020 (So Far...)
While most of us are isolated at home, here are some bedroom jams to keep in mind for when the time is finally right
It's safe to say we're not living in the sexiest of times right now.
While mass disease lurks around every corner, the revolting actions of white supremacists and misogynists continue to make headlines around the country. We watch all this transpire from our dark, cramped apartment, where we sit on our coaches and gorge ourselves on Doritos while ghostly pale, unbathed, and clammy thanks to AC units being deemed unsafe by the CDC. We're told repeatedly that to engage in human touch means certain death, and that if we are going to have sex, it will require consulting the most awkward government-issued list of guidelines for how we can "safely" engage in coitus.
With all these pieces at play, to listen to romping sex tunes seems almost comical, but there has remained a surprising number of stimulating tracks in 2020. For those who somehow still find ways not to be turned off, here are the sexiest songs of 2020 so far.
"Let Me Know" by Brent Faiyaz
R&B newcomer Brent Faiyaz has curated a tasteful blend of bad boy minimalist-R&B that portrays sex as a playful game of cat and mouse. "Let Me Know," off the crooner's latest EP F*ck The World, is buoyant enough not to be taken too seriously, but dreary enough to facilitate toxic passion a la The Weeknd. "Who can I love when they tell me I can't love myself?" Faiyaz cries emboldened.
▲"BUSSIT" by Ari Lennox
Lennox's erotic nonchalance is what made 2018's Shea Butter Baby both relatable and compelling. Over a fluid blend of jazz, funk, and R&B, "Buss It" makes for a perfect bedroom excursion, with Lennox's frank songwriting empowering to anyone who wants just to get down to brass tacks. "You scared of love but f*ck your fear," Lennox sings with suave sophistication. "Ain't no gettin' away from this if you wanted to." "Buss It's" colorful music video accommodates the track perfectly, with Lennox and co-stars sporting gorgeous bright outfits that inspire us to look our best even when no one is watching.
▲"Nothing Less" by PARTYNEXTDOOR
While often bordering on toxic, PARTYNEXTDOOR's discography has been facilitating naughty late-night excursions since 2013. "Nothing Less," the intro to his latest PARTYMOBILE, is no different in execution, with his ghostly lo-fi instrumentals more potent than ever. But thematically, the track is more optimistic than a lot of his past work. "You get the best of me," he sings with a glint in his eye. "Anything less, you won't accept it, so I give you the best of me."
▲"Perks" by ELHAE and Eric Bellinger
Perfect for a beloved partner who deserves to be honored and treasured, "Perks" by Atlanta R&B virtuoso ELHAE is a sleek ode to that special someone. With the help of Eric Bellinger's signature slow-jam vibrato, the duo's swagger blends seamlessly in this modern-day love song.
▲"Can I Ft. Tory Lanez" By Kehlani
Kehlani is often lauded for her authenticity. She can authentically dissect tumultuous love affairs with ease, and on "Can I," she once again documents the sexual tension that comes with being restricted from pleasure. Featuring Toronto polymath Tory Lanez, the song is both languorous and urgent.
▲"Wee Hours Ft. Jhene Aiko" by The-Dream
The-Dream is a certified legend in music for lovemaking. His suitably titled 2020 effort Sextape 4 is another collection of sexy jams that have long been The-Dream's calling card. "Wee Hours" is another casual ode to songwriter Teris Nash's favorite activity and is fitting for any bedroom experiences.
▲"Temperature Rising" by Tory Lanez
Over pulsating 808s and a sleek guitar riff, Tory Lanez's "Temperature Rising" is blunt and doesn't leave any room for metaphors. "Temperature risin' and I'm fantasizing about given it to you," he calls out quite literally. But the multi-faceted Toronto artist is no stranger to bedroom romps, with 2019's highly seductive Chixtape 5 being a bloated but charming shoutout to the early-aughts' greatest love songs.
▲"A Muse" by DVSN
No lovemaking playlist is complete without the help of Toronto R&B duo DVSN. A timeless fusion of lo-fi instrumentals with early-2000s R&B sensibilities, the powerhouse group has curated a sophisticated collection of slow-burn R&B in their youthful career.
On 2020's severely under-appreciated A Muse in Their Feelings, DVSN once again crafts a sophisticated collection of smoldering love music. "I want your body in a million ways," vocalist Daniel Dailey calls out on "A Muse," as he pleads for quality time with his lover. "Nobody ever makes me feel the same."
▲"Bloom (Remix)" by K Roosevelt
R&B newcomer K Roosevelt is gaining momentum thanks to his compelling fusion of funk music and R&B. On his 2020 remix of last year's vibrant "Bloom," he enlists BJ The Chicago Kid's soothing old-soul voice and Arin Ray's naughty persona to make the track pop with a splash of eroticism rather than with the overt sexual overtones of most modern R&B.
▲"LIKE I WANT YOU" by Giveon
Another newcomer bursting with passion and old-school flair, Cali-based singer Giveon makes candid R&B perfect for timid lovers re-entering a relationship. His booming voice yearns for emotional connection and longevity rather than a flash-in-the-pan love affair. "Tell me your point of view, tell me am I to blame? You're so good with change," he warbles nostalgically on "LIKE I WANT YOU" before soaring into a soothing falsetto.
▲"Generous" by Amber Mark
Amber Mark's "Generous" is bursting with charisma for those feeling content in their current affairs. The singer's use of electronica makes for a rewarding listen, while her soft voice encapsulates an evening of nothing but good vibes and a lot of wine.
▲"69" by Teyana Taylor
Teyana Taylor is known for her suave persona and mature erudite taste in soul music. 2018s outstanding K.T.S.E. was a timeless blend of new and old-school R&B that somehow secured her spot as one of modern-day R&B's true tastemakers. Her modestly-titled 2020 effort, The Album, elevates her even further, but for those just wanting to listen to her talk her sh*t, "69" is a sultry bedroom bop that doesn't stray away from explicit content.
▲"Circles" by Jacob Latimore
Jacob Latimore's immersive C3 is dripping in passion and angst, but "Circles" finds the singer locked in the throes of a relationship that's as toxic as it is feverish. All over a silky lo-fi instrumental, Latimore effectively manifests the energy of early-day Drake as he sings for those not knowing which way to turn in their affairs.
▲"Surrender" by Jhene Aiko
Jhene Aiko makes music for the girls who are tired of being heartbroken. "Surrender" is a refreshing return-to-form on Aiko's overall stagnant Chilombo, with the singer's floaty vibe and poetic innuendo perfect for a late-night Netflix-and-chill session. "I'm a boss bitch, how you don't f*ck with me?" she whispers emphatically.
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The Sexiest Songs of 2020 (So Far...)