Music
Music has always had a way of evoking all the feels. When you’re down bad, mid-breakup, there’s nobody propping you up quite like music. The same goes for when you’re feeling love or lusty. When you look back in time, you’ll likely associate songs with the struggle. I mean, just think of the days of delicately crafting a playlist (to burn) that stimulated one emotion or another, allowing you to vibe out was a vibe in and of itself. It's the equivalent of that scene from Say Anything with John Cusack.
There’s nothing like a good soundtrack, so consider this your soundtrack to slow-burning, passionate sex. Each of the 20 songs below for sure passed the vibe check – from today’s R&B to a sprinkle of indie rock and throwback (because you can never go wrong with some “oldie but goodie.”). Download these songs via your favorite streaming app, set the mood with your favorite wine, and hit play the next time you have a cute, in-house dinner date or purely a sex date – whichever is preferable on your menu that evening.
Try to keep in mind: vibes over everything. In no particular order, here are 20 slow jams that are as sensual as they are vibey.
"You Right" x Doja Cat & The Weeknd
In true Doja Cat style and, hell, even The Weeknd for that matter, this song comes equipped with a futuristic sound, immoral message, and overall it somehow sets a very sensual mood. The whole song is about infidelity but that never stopped a song from doing numbers – the people seem to love a lowkey sneaky link song. Plus, with this one in particular you can’t help but admire the audacity.
"Hrs and Hrs" x Muni Long
It may be too soon to refer to this as a TikTok classic, but in due time it will certainly become that. For now, we’ll simply classify Muni Long's "Hrs and Hrs" as a TikTok hit. This song went up right before Valentine’s Day, and we were all taken by its cathartic melodic sounds.
"Nothing Without You" x Tanerélle
This neo-soul jam by Tanerélle is so vulnerable and raw – it puts the blues in R&B. It’s the way love was intended to be, both beautiful and authentic. It’s a love letter. It’s Boyz II Men's “On Bended Knees” but from a woman’s POV in a new era with a different sound.
"pov" x Ariana Grande
Say what you want about Ariana Grande but she never misses. However, she does have some songs that are more prominent than others, especially when it comes to a more gentle vibe. This is one of my favorites because not only is it a lyrical manifestation of self-love wrapped in a love song, but the beat is very soothing.
"Body" x Summer Walker
Summer Walker knows how to make a toxic love anthem. With "Body" though, there's a subtle vulnerability to her usual choice of subject matter as there's a hint of more self-awareness. She is aware that she shouldn't want or what she feels she needs, but she is revelatory in the fact that it's her body in the driver's seat. The sensual feel of the song and the lyrics are what make it an addition to this playlist.
"Just Another Interlude" x Bryson Tiller
The 'trapsoul' genre is a bad bitch genre, indeed. Bryson Tiller has created something special, to say the least! This song reminds me how much I miss rappers riding the R&B wave with the roughneck rhythm and blues. Not going to lie, this song is personal for me! It tells the story of long-term lovers who can’t help but find their way back to one another despite it only ever resulting in a situationship – they know other people are only temporary. We’ve all been here before. I can’t think of one person who can’t relate to this seemingly perfect summer bop.
"Get You" x Daniel Caesar ft. Kali Uchis
"Leave the Door Open" x Silk Sonic
Remember what I said about oldies being goodies? Yeah, well, this is definitely not an old song but the whole intention behind it is to provide old-school sounds in a modern era. And though I can count on Bruna Mars to always, always deliver in this niche this one hits something different – providing the sounds and simplicity of the '60s and '70s. By simplicity, I mean lyrics didn’t have to be super intricate; they just put whatever they were feeling out on paper and somehow it sounded seductive. Seriously, my guy said he had some weed, potato chips, and romantic dick – we ate it up.
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