After decades of entertaining every generation, Frankie Beverly revealed plans for retirement. On the I Wanna Thank You Farewell Tour dates, fans from around the country will have one last time to enjoy the timeless hits. On the other hand, Craig David is seemingly coming out of retirement and his 7 Days Commitment Tour is the first step.
Sadly, we won’t ever be blessed with another original work from the late Luther Vandross. But, this singer’s label did reveal that for the first time in over 40 years, his first two albums, Luther and This Close to You, will be reissued on vinyl. Lastly, after nearly six years of false starts, Normani took to her official social media pages to confirm that her debut solo album, Dopamine will hit streaming platforms this year.
But what new music dropped this week? This Fresh Finds Fridays column features releases from Serpentwithfeet, DaVionne, SZA, Mýa, SiR, Charlotte Day Wilson, Sinéad Harnett, Reggie Becton, Mayila, Jaz Karis, and Tone Stith. Check out this week’s roundup below. Don’t forget to let us know who you’re listening to in the comment section below.
DaVionne – Good Grief
At just 24-years old, DaVionne has become one of R&B’s most gushed-about songwriters. The Atlanta native’s debut EP Good Grief highlights why that is. Across the body of work’s five tracks, DaVionne gives a fully hashed-out viewpoint on the related stages of mourning.
Lead singles “Not The One,” “Twin Flame,” and the title track were representative of several milestones. But with the addition of the final two records, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance each has their voice heard. After earning Alicia Keys’ co-sign, by way of this release, DaVionne emphasizes that fully conceptualized pieces are what propels an artist forward.
From the songwriting and project to DaVionne’s ability to sell the stories being sung, Good Grief is a debut fit for the R&B history books.
In a statement shared with ThisIsRNB, DaVionne opened up about the inspiration behind the project. “The process of creating ‘Good Grief’ was both challenging and cathartic,” she said. “It’s a reflection of my journey through heartbreak and healing, and my hope is that it resonates with others going through their own process of grief. This EP is about embracing our emotions, the painful alongside the beautiful, and finding joy on the other side of heartbreak.”
Good Grief’s standout tracks include “No Good For Me,” “Don’t Go,” and “The Sun Hit My Eyes.”
serpentwithfeet – GRIP
Nothing about serpentwithfeet is traditional. So, his long-awaited album, “GRIP,” was bound to push the limits as well. Its focus on electronic elements, with gentle harmonies and treatment on lead vocals, adds a freedom to love that helps its messaging pierce through.
A note uploaded to the singer’s official Instagram page detailed the inspiration behind the project. “GRIP” is all about touch,” he wrote. “Because, baby, I’ve been shaped by some heavy hands.” While this may be true, especially when examining its lead singles “Damn Gloves” featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Yanga Yaya, “Safe Word,” and “Ellipsis” featuring Orion Sun. However, there is something much deeper about these ten records.
Outside of their common lyrical topic – love, “GRIP” is anchored by the pillars of intimacy. If you carelessly brush the surface, sex is the core theme. But upon further inspection, “GRIP” is about being a soft place to land, whether in the bedroom or solely in one’s heart.
GRIP’s standout tracks include “Spades,” “Lucky Me,” and “1 To 10.”
SZA – “Saturn”
Still riding the high of her sheer dominance at the 2024 Grammys, SZA treated fans to a surprise release of her song that premiered during the ceremony. “Saturn,” teased in her Mastercard campaign, is the retrospective moody music supporters have come to love.
In astrology, Saturn represents responsibility, structure, and long-term goals. However, as SZA sings, “If karma’s really real / How am I still here? / Just seems so unfair / I could be wrong though / If there’s a point to being good / Then where’s my reward? / The good die young and poor / I gave it all I could,” you can hear that her inspiration for the record is something much different.
For SZA, Saturn is a simple symbol for a figurative land. When she arrives at this celestial place, she can rip away all the emotional trauma she’s dealt with on Earth. Saturn is the emotional refresh SZA needs.
“Saturn” appears to be the lead single for SZA’s forthcoming deluxe album, Lana.
Mýa – “Anytime”
Over two decades into her career, Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Mýa is still firing on all cylinders. In the last few releases, Mýa has focused on her Caribbean sonic influences. However, on the new single, “Anytime,” the musician shows that she hasn’t completely closed the door on uptempo R&B records.
The track, co-produced by LaMar “MYGUYMARS” Edwards and MIKE & KEYS, is yet another reflection of Mýa’s sensual side. “No more pursuin’ or chasin’ / Reward for all your patience / You deserve some praise yeah / Boy I’m so glad you came here / Anytime that you need my lovе / Only one that I’ll give my touch / You’ve been waitin’ long еnough so,” sings Mýa.
She is ready to please her love, and her fans, eager for new music from her.
“Anytime” is Mýa’s follow-up to 2023’s “Whine.”
SiR – “Karma” featuring Isaiah Rashad
You reap what you sow. No one’s immune to this universal principle. Not even R&B superstar SiR. On his latest Sigurd-produced single, “Karma,” featuring Isaiah Rashad, the pair admit that their card will be pulled soon.
“I need to stop treating hoes like I need ’em / I’m too busy making promises when I can’t keep ’em / It’s time I slow this ‘Llac down to a hunnid / I keep making the same mistakes when I should be learning from it / Aww, karma coming and it’s prolly gon’ be bad for me / Nothing I can do, it’s gon’ be what it has to be / Wish I never bought the game my uncle sold me / It’s a little too late to save the old me,” sings SiR.
Although SiR is a happily married father of one, his past as a rolling stone often finds its way into his work. SiR’s reflective and brutally honest songwriting is what makes his work so hard to resist. “Karma” shows that the forever suffering lover of men curse their ex-flings with an universal payday.
“Karma” is the latest offering off of SiR’s forthcoming album, Heavy.
Charlotte Day Wilson – “I Don’t Love You”
Love takes many forms. The highly-sought after emotion also evolves and dissolves over time. As this shift occurs so should the relationship at the center of this internal entanglement. On Charlotte Day Wilson’s latest Jack Rochon-co-produced single “I Don’t Love You,” outlines the latter.
“All grace to you and all power / It’s your time, baby, your hour / Cheer for me and I’ll cheer for you / Pray for me and I’ll sing for you / I’ll still sing for you / Yes, I’ll listen to the unspoken / It’s more peaceful being heartbroken / Than crying every night for you / I’ll miss you, yes, I’ll cry for you / I’ll still cry for you / I don’t love you anymore / I don’t need you,” sings Charlotte.
As she fights through the turmoil associated with separating, Charlotte knows that there is a light worth securing at the end of the tunnel. The same way people’s reckless actions are a choice – so is love. For now Charlotte Day Wilson is opting out.
“I Don’t Love You” is Charlotte Day Wilson’s follow-up to “Forever” with Snoh Aalegra. Both tracks should appear on her sophomore album, Cyan Blue due out on May 3.
Sinéad Harnett – “Thinking Less”
Absence doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder. Sometimes it conditions the vital organ to manage without something. Or in Sinéad Harnett’s case someone. On the Londoner’s latest single, “Thinking Less,” she’s come to the realization that completely letting go is the only way to jumpstart the healing process.
“Hold up / You only leave ’cause you know it’s easy / I tell you I love you, you don’t believe me / No matter how hard I try, try / You’re always second-guessin’ / I’m more than just a lesson / I wanted your attention / But all you took was mine, now I’m / Thinkin’, thinkin’ less of you,” sings Sinéad.
Co-written with Marcus Semaj and produced by Jayla Darden, “Thinking Less,” is a sonic expectation setter. Sinéad will no longer be breadcrumbed. Just as she gives her all she expected the same in exchange or she is prepared to move on. Will it hurt? Yes. But for Sinéad it’s a pain she is willing to endure for the greater good.
“Thinking Less” is Sinéad Harnett’s follow-up to “Say Something.” Both are set to appear on the singer’s forthcoming album, Boundaries.
Reggie Becton & Mayila – “Just Friends”
What is a clean break up nowadays? The rise in a casual approach to dating has left too many people physically committed but emotionally distant. Reggie Becton and Mayila’s joint track, “Just Friends,” is the textbook definition of the fearful avoidant attachment style.
Instead of going their support ways after the relationship’s end, both parties fool themselves into thinking a friendship could work. For the lucky few, maybe this is an option. But as Maylia sings, “I might talk to you all night / Tell you ’bout my life / But it ain’t really like that ’cause / We just friends / We just friends, oh-oh,” you can hear that these musicians aren’t of that ilk.
Reggie makes it no better as he belts out, “And I might call when I’m lonely / Introduce you to the homies / Text your phone, ‘Good mornin’ / But we just friends, oh / Ain’t fair but maybe we.”
At the end of the day, the mind games we play on ourselves hurt far beyond what others can inflict on us. Homie, lover, and friends sounds great on paper, especially when everything’s all good. But when it isn’t, the mess is never worth it, at least in the long run.
According to Reggie Becton’s latest Instagram post, “Just Friends” is: “A song dedicated to anyone who lost a friend to love.” But I septically beg to differ.
“Just Friends” marks the musicians’ first joint song, but fans are already calling for more.
Jaz Karis & Tone Stith – “Met You At A Bar”
The allure of the fantasy keeps too many people frequent travels to the land of delusion. However, just know that if you are taking a trip to delulu, no one leaves unscathed. On Jaz Karis’ new Prodigal Sons-produced single, “Met You At A Bar,” the London native details her account of visiting the addicted destination.
Alongside collaborator Tone Stith, the pair crafts an all too common tale of forbidden lovers that allowed lust to cloud their judgment and ultimately shift their lives.
“Let me tell the truth / I was feeling you / Even when I knew the endgame / Had me by the door / Said you wanna go / I said I don’t know / It’s easier to let me fall into the lie / And I don’t know why / It’s easier to hang on to mixed messages / While I’m on standby / So / Bye bye,” sings Jaz.
Jaz overcomes with a yearning to seek a partner that wasn’t available. Although they enjoy each other’s romantic passion, that ember quickly burns out after reality sets in. “I’m single / And I ain’t lookin for love but / But you a real woman / Girl I’m down to have fun / With no attachments / I’m just being straight up / And If you cool with that you know what’s up / No feelings baby,” sings Tone.
The foundation of any solid love is pure intentions, as you can’t build on shaky ground. “Met You At A Bar” demonstrates that.
On Jaz Karis’ official Instagram page, she penned a sweet note to her collaborators with behind-the-scenes video footage. “A collaboration of my dreams,” she wrote. “Tone Stith, thank you so much for being a part of this moment and making this song so special. Prodigal Sons, thank you for always making magic with me.”
*Cover photo credit: Inari Briana
