LOS ANGELES, CA- 6LACK, or Ricardo Valdez Valentine Jr., is known for his soul-searching, heart-breaking music. However, his first full-length album in five years, Since I Have a Lover– is his most vulnerable yet.
I had the pleasure of being invited to his album release party in Los Angeles, and the rapper spoke about his difficulty picking the final lineup. He states that he wrote hundreds of songs for the album, and even though he aimed for 12-16 songs, he had so many songs that he loved within Since I have a Lover.
The new album is a continuation of the emotional growth that he has undergone since 2016. FREE 6LACK describes the turmoil and conflicting emotions that come with heartbreak, while East Atlanta Love Letter focuses on coming to terms and moving forward with these conflicting emotions. Now, Since I Have a Lover completes a seemingly perfect trifecta. Throughout the 19-track album, Valentine embraces love and finds joy.
Compared to many other artists in the industry, who have lyrics that focus on toxicity, all songs on the album focus on the lessons that Valentine has learned over the past five years. In an interview with Complex, he mentioned that “Being in a good place made [him] want to talk about good things. [He thinks] that music is a little bit cluttered right now with everything else.” He explains, “toxicity seems to be the punchline at the end of every song, but it feels good to feel good.”
The album opens up with “cold feet,” which features acoustic guitar riffs and mid-tempo beats that continue throughout the rest of the album. This is a departure from his previous albums, which are darker and more melodramatic. However, this change matches well with the change in subject and his personal growth.
The album’s title track, “Since I Have a Lover,” pushes the idea of love and how great it can make a person feel. The first verse states, “Soon as I felt your touch, Feet just left the ground, I been tweakin’ since the first time around.” Along with the upbeat tempo, the song definitely underlines the feel-good nature of the album.
Personally, the two standout songs on Since I Have a Lover are “Tit for Tat” and “Temporary” with Don Toliver. “Tit for Tat” is characterized by an addicting staccato paired contrasted with smooth chorus, making it a song that I’ve been playing on repeat since the album’s release. “Temporary” is a complete home run. Don Toliver has been on fire this past year, with the release of his new album, Love Sick, and notable features on Metro Boomin’s “Too Many Nights” and “Around Me.” This song is no different. His soulful and distinct vocals are a fantastic addition to the two-step drum pattern and lyrics that speak to long-lasting relationships.
Overall, Since I Have a Lover is a delightful hour of listening. It’s a deeply emotional album that feels more mature and nuanced. It’s a great album and definitely representative of how 6LACK has progressed both artistically and personally.
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