LOS ANGELES, CA- There are artists you discover because they’re everywhere, and then there are artists you discover at exactly the right moment. For me, Syd has always been the latter.
The first time I saw her perform was with The Internet at UCLA’s Jazz Reggae Festival back in 2014. At the time, the band was still on its ascent, but even then there was something unmistakable about Syd’s presence. She wasn’t the kind of frontwoman demanding attention through theatrics or oversized personality. Instead, she drew you in with restraint. Her voice floated over grooves that blended R&B, soul, jazz, funk, and alternative influences into something that felt both nostalgic and entirely modern. I’ve been hooked ever since.
When The Internet released Hive Mind in 2018, it felt like another significant step forward for one of the most distinctive bands in contemporary R&B. Since then, many fans, myself included, have hoped for another chapter. Rumors have surfaced over the years that the group has been working on new music, but while we continue waiting for that reunion, Syd has quietly continued building her own impressive solo catalog of modern R&B music.
“Beard” Album artwork. Photo by Nabil. Used with permission.
Following 2022’s Broken Hearts Club, Syd returns with Beard, her first solo album in four years. Rather than chasing trends or reinventing herself for the sake of reinvention, Beard feels like the work of an artist who has become increasingly comfortable in her own skin.
That confidence is woven throughout the album, beginning with its title. Syd has described Beard as a reflection of embracing the qualities she once felt insecure about, turning them into symbols of self-acceptance instead. It’s a concept that never feels forced or overly explained. Instead, it quietly informs every performance, every production choice, and every lyric throughout the record.
One of the album’s standout moments arrives with the new single “Any Time,” featuring James Fauntleroy.
If there’s one song that captures the emotional center of Beard, I feel like this is it.
Built around warm, soulful production, “Any Time” finds Syd exploring the complicated push and pull of a relationship that both people know they probably shouldn’t continue. The lyrics acknowledge the cycle without pretending there’s an easy solution. “Every time I’m running from you, I lose,” she sings, reducing emotional conflict to one devastatingly simple sentence.
It’s the kind of songwriting Syd has always excelled at. She rarely oversings or overexplains. Instead, she trusts mood, space, and repetition to communicate emotions that are often difficult to articulate.
Vocally, this may be one of my favorite performances on the record. There’s an unmistakable tenderness in her delivery that gives the song an intimacy that’s difficult to manufacture. Nothing feels exaggerated. Every note serves the emotion rather than competing with it.
James Fauntleroy proves to be the perfect collaborator.
Long celebrated as one of modern R&B’s most gifted songwriters and vocalists, Fauntleroy seems to understand that chemistry often comes from subtlety rather than spectacle. His bridge doesn’t interrupt the song’s atmosphere; it deepens it. His smooth delivery folds naturally into Syd’s world, adding another layer of warmth and romantic tension without ever overshadowing her. I love how in the video, Syd is actually lip-syncing Jame’s vocals. Together, their voices create the kind of effortless harmony that makes the song linger long after it’s over.
What continues to impress me most about Syd is that she’s never seemed interested in chasing whatever happens to be popular. From Odd Future to The Internet to her solo work, she’s remained committed to carving out her own lane. That consistency has become one of her greatest strengths. A steady breeze in algorithm crazed world. While the landscape around her continues to evolve, Syd’s music remains rooted in honesty, musicianship, and emotional nuance.
Beard is the kind of album that rewards patience. It’s not built around instant gratification or algorithm-friendly moments. Instead, it’s the type of record that reveals new details with every listen, making it an ideal soundtrack for slow mornings, late-night drives, or quiet weekends when you’re willing to simply let the music breathe.
I’ve been waiting a long time for another album from The Internet, and hopefully that day eventually comes. But after spending time with Beard, I’m reminded that Syd doesn’t need to rely on the band to remind listeners why she’s one of the most compelling voices in contemporary R&B.
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