The best r&b album of the year thus far, easily, is Xavier Omar’s arguable opus HunnyMoon Mountain. While Omar’s timeless tone centers the energy, where the album truly thrives is in the variance in the production and composition. Omar maintains a smooth r&b core to his deep dive into relationship complexity, but uses an array of adjacent influences to expand that world while keeping it fluid.

On the opening track “Miserable” the rhythm-changes and choral-call-and-responses feel plucked out of a Queen record. Then it transitions halfway through to minimalistic gospel. Track three “The One I Fell For” is pure trap r&b at its finest. Track 4 “Take Her Love” sounds like Omar’s version of a smash single by The Police. Track six “Peace In My Mind” feels Tyler the Creator-coded. Track nine “Painting The Stars” feels like a late era Michael Jackson number. Then, lastly, the opening section of the closer “The Moments I've Had With You” feels pulled directly from an Imogen Heap soundscape. The remarkable thing about all of this is no song feels like it strays from the album’s central sonic feel.

It required a deft hand at producer picking by Omar to achieve this symmetry. When I looked into the credits I saw a nice range of veterans with a plethora of work and relative newcomers just making a name for themselves as legit producers. I thought it would be cool to make an album of the best songs crafted by each producer who contributed to HunnyMoon Mountain, before they got there. This would hopefully display what Omar heard in order to pick them for his project. I found that in doing so I made a body of work that felt nearly as cohesive as Omar’s r&b masterpiece. Here’s a breakdown of each track’s prowess.

Track 1: “Love Like” by Kehlani Produced by Mamii Co-Produced By Dixson & D.Phelps

Mamii HM contribution: “Miserable” feat. Samoht

While Mamii has only a few full producer credits, she does have some huge ones for artists such as…ahem…Beyoncé. That said, this Kehlani bop is her slickest soundscape. The most impeccable part of the instrumental is the rhythmic proficiency and vocal layering sequencing inside the pockets. This translated well to Omar’s opener, where alternative cadences hold a firm presence.

Track 2: “Comfortable” by H.E.R. Produced by DJ Camper Co-produced by flippa 

DJ Camper HM contributions: “Little Mistakes” feat. Divine Lightbody, “How Could You Not Call?,” & “Love Again”

The most storied producer on the Omar album is DJ Camper. He’s made his mark all across r&b with people like Coco Jones and Lucky Daye, but his most consistent success has come with H.E.R. This joint is as simplistic as his work gets, but is a sheer masterclass in pocket and letting an immaculate voice shine through without becoming muddied. He does the same successfully with Omar for three tracks. 

Track 3: “TROPHIES (congrats!)” by Ausar Produced by Southpaw Swade Co-produced by Ro Moore

Southpaw Swade HM contributions: “The One That I Fell For” & “State of the Will”

When Omar needed trappier rhythms for his album he found a secret weapon in Swade. This lesser known producer shows how well he can fuse dirty trap and clean soul on this song as if they exist in the same sphere. He’s a master at balancing bright and guttural tones.

Track 4: “The Owl” by Khary Produced by j.robb 

j.robb HM contributions: “Take Her Love” & “Peace In My Mind”

This song is soulful hipster boom bap at its finest. What it proves is an ability to move to more alternative fusion sounds. This allowed j.robb to execute Omar’s desire to sound like Sting for one song and Tyler the Creator for another, yet still feel true to himself. What a feat j.robb accomplished.

Track 5: “All We Have Left” by Gold Haze, Clark Reed, Pelham & Junior, & D.Noel Produced by D.Noel Co-produced by Gold Haze & Pelham & Junior

D.Noel HM contribution: “State of the Will”

A shining instrumental here makes you feel like you are transcending, which is also what happens on Omar’s best song on his new album, “State of the Will.” Clearly D.Noel has a knack for anthemic sounds that make you clutch your chest.

Track 6: “Nothing On You” by Marie Dahlstrom feat. Odeal Produced by Dan Digga

Dan Diggas HM contribution: “Afraid“ pt. 2” feat. Xenia Manasseh

I love this song, it’s fucking euphoric r&b. Someone who made this had to be tapped for Omar to even attempt reprising one of his biggest hits. Diggas makes a hook texture on both tracks that feels like a silk blanket.

Track 7: “Lost” by Dende Produced by Billy Blunt Co-Produced by Aaron Deux & TAHREE

Billy Blunt HM contribution: “Afraid“ pt. 2” feat. Xenia Manasseh

Dende’s go to producer Billy Blunt, of course, had something to do with his best song ever. Both Dende and Omar both needed someone to make their vocal layering shine through an instrumental that still holds up to the power they provide.

Track 8: “Calligraphy” by Saba Produced by Daedae Pivot Co-produced by Daoud

Daedae Pivot HM contribution: “Afraid“ pt. 2” feat. Xenia Manasseh

One of Saba’s go to producers was also tapped for “Afraid pt. 2.” His best work with the elite Chicago MC arrives here as the sneaky standout from his best album. The beat sounds like sophisticated griminess, if that’s even a thing. Daedae shows mastery in conquering equilibrium.

Track 9: “Patience/Back In A Minute” by Michael Dunaway feat. Jackson Powell & Master Soul Boy Produced by Gareth Donkin

Gareth Donkin HM contribution: “Painting the Stars” feat. Jai’Len Losey & “The Moments I Had With You”

A synth wonderland here to get lost in. Omar needed this exact styling for the backend of his project so he could reach the conclusion he was searching for.

Track 10: “Shadow” by Alice Auer Produced by Sam Wills

Sam Wills HM contribution: “The Moments I Had With You”

Sleek piano chronicles defining vulnerability on this song. This tone sounds like what would best back up someone’s final message for a project. Clearly Omar thought the same.

Playlists ITC 059 HunnyMoon Mountain Producers

Tidal

Apple Music

Spotify