Photo Credit: Jack McKain

6LACK (pronounced black) is a talented R&B artist from Atlanta, Georgia, who rose to prominence in 2016 with his debut album Free 6lack. Known for its introspective lyrics and smooth vocal delivery, 6LACK has become one of the most innovative artists in the genre. His music blends traditional R&B with elements of hip-hop, creating a unique sound that resonates with fans all over the world. With two critically acclaimed albums under his belt, 6LACK has cemented himself as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary R&B. With his new album, in half a decade, Since I Have a Lover explores the singer’s life after therapy, meditation, peace and finding healthy love.

Clocking in at a lengthy 19 tracks, and a run-time of just under an hour, musically, production takes the driver’s seat, and 6LACK allows himself to do less vocally, and honestly, it is his biggest downfall. 6LACK is talented in his own right, but he is not vocally strong enough to not use his voice to its highest potential. Lyrically, the record is not that different from other R&B musicians out there, but it does have a far brighter and happier outlook on life, rather than a toxic, emotionally unavailable one.

It felt as if something was lacking sonically on Since I Have a Lover, and it was the features! Of course, no artist is required to have other artists on their projects, but it felt as if 6LACK’s delivery flatlined, and songs would begin to feel dragged out rather than good. The album maintained its cohesiveness by consistently preserving the same sound, with minimal variation except for occasional instances of additional vocals (“Tit for tat”) or the introduction of a more bass-heavy instrumental (“Fatal Attraction”).

However, the production of Since I Have a Lover is amazing. 6LACK tried to play a bit with different instruments including the guitar, which he himself has stated to be learning more about. His vocals mixed well with each song, and there were also some extremely catchy, caption-worthy lyrics scattered throughout this album. Some standout tracks on the album are “Fatal Attraction,” “Since I Have A Lover,” “Spirited Away,” “Preach,” “Decatur,” and “B4L.”

Overall, Since I Have a Lover, could use some improvements to iron out a few issues. New listeners may find that 6LACK’s album does not generate enough excitement to explore the artist’s previous works. However, it is possible that 6LACK’s existing fan base may appreciate the album, given its conformity to the conventional R&B genre, which does not demand too much from listeners. As such, this album is suitable for situations when one desires relaxing background music without requiring much attention.

Written by: Jaylan Brooks