12 months ago, for the first time in forever, it looked like US R&B wasn?t leading the pack. It seemed like urban music was scrambling behind a bunch of MJ influenced, EDM based, self-interested ?black pop? stars and had nothing to say but the tragic events of Charleston, Staten Island and Ferguson have changed all that.

Despite the buzz, we haven’t ever been huge fans of José James in spite of the hype that says he’s one of the best new singers in jazz.

For what seemed like a decade D'Angelo’s name was always on those ‘Most anticipated albums of next year’ lists and just when we’d given up all hope of a follow up to Voodoo… BOOM! Out of nowhere he dropped Black Messiah late last year.

It’s getting to the time when all the Top 10 lists have been printed and read.

And even the list of all lists has been made.

And all the questions asked…

There was a rumour that R&B was off on a new tip with Frank Ocean and Miguel leading the way, and would be riding on the blunted beats that the likes of Clams Casino had produced up for ASAP Rocky and Kendrick. And there was no doubt all we hipsters loved those albums more than anything that had happened since D’Angelo swept the world before him.

Hot Damn. How much good R&B music is doing the rounds at the moment?! Frank Ocean and Miguel were on many a taste-makers best of 2012 lists and it looks like we’re in store for more goodness this year with new records expected from old faithfuls D'Angelo (fingers crossed) and Bilal.

I guess whenever a scene or genre is flourishing the floodgates open and along comes a whole heap of new talent and thank God it does as that’s when new kids on the block like BJ The Chicago Kid come into play.

Themes For Young Lovers is a new series we’re starting up on Cool Accidents where we’ll be getting artists, DJs, bloggers and music nerds to answer a series of questions about all things love related highlighting their favourite songs to hold hands, kiss, make babies, breakup or nurse a broken heart to.