It’s been a minute since someone made a slow jam that feels like genuine romance rather than a calculated bedroom playlist addition. Enter Shaun Royal, whose new single “Coast In Romance” arrives like a love letter to an era when R&B prioritized emotional intimacy over instant gratification.
Shaun Royal, a South Central Los Angeles native who’s been quietly perfecting his craft since childhood, has created something increasingly rare in today’s landscape: an R&B track that takes its time. The song unfolds with the unhurried confidence of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing, both musically and romantically.
“We can take our time just like a slow jam / We can coast in romance,” Royal croons over production that feels simultaneously vintage and contemporary. The track’s narrative follows a relationship built on substance rather than spectacle, with lines like “I know your love language a secret / But I found out all the ways to speak it” showcasing an emotional intelligence often missing from modern love songs.
What makes Shaun Royal‘s approach notable isn’t just his technical proficiency (though his standing ovation at the 28th Annual Soul Train Awards speaks volumes), but his commitment to emotional authenticity. In an era where vulnerability is often performative, Royal’s delivery feels refreshingly sincere—each note carries the weight of someone who genuinely believes in the transformative power of connection.
The smooth vocal runs and layered harmonies evoke clear influences from his childhood heroes—Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and the rich catalog of 90s R&B luminaries like Tony! Toni! Toné! and Tevin Campbell. Yet there’s something distinctly contemporary in Royal’s execution. This isn’t mere imitation or nostalgia-baiting; it’s evolution.
When Royal debuted this single at LA’s Taste of Soul Festival to 10,000 attendees, performing alongside established names like Tiffany Haddish and Klymaxx, the enthusiastic response confirmed what industry insiders have whispered for months: there’s a hunger for R&B that prioritizes musicality and emotional depth over algorithmic appeal.