Every era of music has its iconic images, but few are as effortlessly cool as the ‘lean’ — that casual yet charismatic pose made famous by some of the biggest R&B and soul artists of the past decades on their album covers. In 2023, the world of R&B has discovered the art all over again, drawing a delightful connection between our present and the glorious past.

This year, Eric Bellinger, Ari Lennox, and Durand Bernarr have each graced their album covers with a nod to this classic pose. It’s an intriguing fusion of nostalgia and personal artistry, harkening back to the days when artists like Michael Jackson, Teddy Pendergrass, and Luther Vandross reigned supreme.

The lean, as simple as it may appear, carries an inherent gravitas. It’s more than just a physical stance; it’s a statement. It communicates a sense of confidence and laid-back sophistication, a promise of the sultry sounds within. In an age where music consumption is often more digital and fleeting than ever, these artists are reconnecting with the grandeur of physical album artistry.

Eric Bellinger, with his recent track “Cry In Front Of You,” leans into the tradition quite literally. Acknowledging the alignment with his fellow artists, he posted on Instagram, “Great minds think alike” alongside a collage of similar album covers. In an email to Rolling Stone, Bellinger described his self-titled album as channeling iconic energy, tapping into the legacy of greatness that includes Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, and the one and only Michael Jackson.

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But the lean is not just an homage to past legends; it’s a celebration of intergenerational dialogues in music. Durand Bernarr’s quirky and introspective single “Am I Okay?!” showcases the dichotomy of public vulnerability and private swagger, a theme mirrored in his contemplative yet relaxed album cover.

In a recent conversation, Bernarr reflected on this amusing intersection of modern artists choosing to lean. “It’s almost a rite of passage to lean on your album cover at least once,” he shared with enthusiasm. Bernarr’s photographer, Juan Veloz, saw it as a bridge to the classic designs of Jackson and Vandross, explaining that they aimed to capture the essence of Bernarr’s distinctive energy.

Looking back, the lean was popularized by the likes of Aretha Franklin and Teddy Pendergrass. But it was Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ that immortalized the pose, with photographer Dick Zimmerman capturing a serendipitous moment that paired Jackson’s signature sparkle with a playful silhouette.

This resurgence invites questions about why these artists are bringing back the lean now. Are we yearning for the comfort of music’s golden eras, just as we use vintage styles to navigate the complexities of present-day upheavals? Or perhaps it’s about asserting an unspoken camaraderie amid the creative processes of today’s R&B artists, who see themselves as part of a lineage rather than isolated artists.

Beyond aesthetics, reviving this classic pose is an assertion — a reminder that music, much like its packaging, is timeless and ever-evolving. It encourages the current generation of artists to embrace echoes of the past, finding new ways to express and empower their craft. Without a doubt, 2023 has become the year of the lean, a gorgeous reminder that every new note has an old refrain worth remembering.