There’s no tough to take with the graceful on this hazy dream of an old-school soul serenade. ‘ALWAYS U’, taken from Aric B.’s hotly anticipated LP, THINGS NEVER SAID, is a love track unafraid of its personal vulnerability. Mellifluous layers of nostalgia meld across the teasing tempo of the beats, whereas reverb-soaked synths spill into each nook of the observe, enveloping Aric B.’s voice in an environment thick with longing and remorse.
In contrast to the polished bravado usually present in R&B heartbreak anthems, Aric B. doesn’t play the sufferer right here. He paints himself as a less-than-perfect protagonist, taking full accountability for the love that slipped away. That candid honesty makes each lyric minimize deeper as he mourns the one which received away with no ego left to protect him. Because the observe swells in direction of its multi-layered harmonic crescendo, Aric B. broadens his vocal vary with a ability that displays the depth of his expertise.
The Decatur-born singer, songwriter, and producer has been shaping his sound since childhood, influenced by gospel roots and an in depth profession spanning jazz, pop, and soul. From singing at Fenway Park to collaborating with Grammy-winning producers behind icons like Beyoncé and Alicia Keys, Aric B. has spent years refining his voice—each actually and artistically. ALWAYS U is proof that he’s arrived at a sound that’s unmistakably his personal.
The one is now out there to stream on all main platforms, together with Spotify.
Overview by Amelia Vandergast