On March 24, 2023, rapper 6LACK (pronounced “black”) released his third studio album titled “Since I Have A Lover” (SIHAL) after a five-year hiatus. Known for his seamless transitions and lyrics heavily influenced by his Atlanta hometown, this release was long anticipated. Overall, the album is a departure from his usual themes of isolation and loneliness. While he still sometimes shows that being in love is not easy, the majority of the album is romantic and passionate.
If you’re looking for a place to start, here are some highlights from SIHAL:
“cold feet”
Peppered with recordings of personal anecdotes, the first track, “cold feet,” evokes the feeling of sun shining through an open window during summer. The way the vocals echo is reminiscent of how sound bounces around a bedroom when music is blasting, often on a day like previously described. It instills a feeling of serenity in the listener. The song itself goes through 6LACK’s discography, highlighting the success of previous works before a short intro to the current project. The piece ends with a request from his fans for more music, which is the perfect transition into the nineteen track album, the longest in his discography.
“Inwood Hill Park”
In “Inwood Hill Park,” 6LACK glides above the beat. For the first half of the song this love seems easy; he remarks that his Mondays feel like Fridays and that the rain in his life has cleared after meeting his lover. He further expands that this connection is strong and has in fact always been there, even during his previous more somber albums. The second half of the track is more interesting, however. This shift is abrupt—in one line he says that his lover has brought color into his black-and-white life, and, in the next, he starts recounting the challenges that he has faced in the relationship. 6LACK, even in love, has struggled to be open about his previous trauma, which has caused him strife in this relationship. He ends on a strong note, though, saying that although the relationship isn’t always easy, he is committed. He ends with a callout to the next song, the title track.
“Since I Have A Lover”
“Since I Have A Lover” serves as both the title track as well as the lead single in the leadup to the album’s release. The single’s image is one of 6LACK floating above a patch of grass in a suburban neighborhood during sunrise or sunset. This image mirrors one of the first lines, “Soon as I felt your touch/ Feet just left the ground.” This is a sheer contrast to all other work that 6LACK has put out which tends to have black-and-white imagery with a darker, more somber tone of lyrics. This song, and much of the following album, shifts gears completely, instead focusing on the beauty of his love. However, the last melody of this song is discordant with an almost mysterious air to it. This hints towards the struggles that 6LACK has faced in the relationship and helps bring a balance that makes his love seem more grounded.
“playin house”
One of the more somber tracks, “playin house,” describes the transition from an unserious relationship to a more mature one. The house becomes a metaphor for the relationship, as 6LACK emphasizes the need to work on the partnership in order to grow together and individually. He addresses the need for the couple to communicate and get serious to preserve their relationship. He sings, “Playin house not okay even when you found the perfect lover / Overfill and we manage to spill what we have goin under.” Here, he demonstrates that even when the love is seemingly perfect, there is still work to be done in order to keep the relationship afloat.
“chasing feeling”
On “chasing feeling,” 6LACK repeats a memorable four lines for the first minute of the song. He sings, “Figured that I could learn a lot on my own/ So I ran from your love/ Young and naïve, I saw some devilish things/ ’Til I ran out of luck.” Here, he admits he made a mistake by running from his lover. Later, he includes a clip of a female voice speaking to the importance of discipline and learning from lived experiences, which is likely a reference to his slip-up. Set to a melodious tune, this song is sure to be playing on loop in your mind.
“Tit for Tat”
“Tit for Tat” comes across as a sequel to “Inwood Hill Park.” The song starts as a duet with his lover, QUIN. This is also the first time that we hear her voice. Throughout the song, 6LACK speaks about the balance necessary to make relationships work. I think this speaks to the maturity that 6LACK has developed through his career. No matter the level of difficulty the pair would endure, he is committed. He admits his lack of perfection and accepts the same of his partner. In doing so, he shows the deep vulnerability necessary to form a strong, long-lasting relationship.
“wunna dem (with QUIN)”
“wunna dem” has the first credited feature of the album—and it’s of his lover. It’s a relatively short song where they both sing about how their love was meant to be. However, I can’t help but find it disappointing. QUIN, has no verse anywhere on the album to herself. She is only ever heard echoing 6LACK’s words both here and in “Tit for Tat” a few songs earlier. An opportunity to allow her to show her love and have a voice of her own would have added dimensionality to the album.
“Temporary (feat. Don Toliver)”
Later, 6LACK is joined by singer Don Toliver on the track “Temporary.” Contrary to its name, this piece highlights the growing permanence and, by extension, seriousness of the love between the artist and his lover. The chorus refutes the name of the song, emphasizing that he does not want to give up on their love, despite the issues brought up elsewhere in the song. By far one of the more vibey songs on the album, Toliver’s vocals accentuate the lyrics and produce a wave of emotion in the listener.
If you’re looking for an album to start your summer playlist, look no further. On SIHAL there’s a song for the romantics, the heartbroken and everyone in between. Perfect for nighttime vibes or daytime relaxation, this project is sure to be on repeat for a long time to come.