''Since I Have a Lover'' is the third
studio album
An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...
by American singer
6lack. It was released on March 24, 2023, through
LVRN and
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label based in Santa Monica, California, owned by Universal Music Group through its Interscope Geffen A&M imprint. Founded in late 1990 by Jimmy Iovine and Ted Field as a $20 million joint venture ...
. The album received a nomination for
Best Progressive R&B Album at the
66th Annual Grammy Awards.
Background
On February 21, 2023, 6lack posted a video of a billboard announcing that his next album was releasing in March 2023 with the caption "and finally, we’re 6ack, March 2023 — #SIHAL 💐". On February 22, 6lack posted a video snippet for the lead single "Since I Have a Lover", announcing that an album of the same name would be released on March 24, 2023.
The single released on March 1. On March 10, 6lack released the single "Talkback". On March 16, 6lack released the single "Fatal Attraction". The album was released on March 24.
6lack embarked on a world tour in support of the album, supported by
Mereba,
Jordan Ward,
Quin,
Spinall, and
SadBoi. The tour began in October 2023 in
Portland and concluded in March 2024 in
Oslo
Oslo ( or ; ) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of 1,064,235 in 2022 ...
.
Critical reception
Ammar Kalia of ''
The Observer
''The Observer'' is a British newspaper published on Sundays. First published in 1791, it is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.
In 1993 it was acquired by Guardian Media Group Limited, and operated as a sister paper to ''The Guardian'' ...
'' wrote that the album was "stifled by the weight of its slow and atmospheric fillers" describing it as "the work of an artist in transition, catering to old fans and well-trodden styles while attempting to settle on something new."
The review for ''
Pitchfork
A pitchfork or hay fork is an agricultural tool used to pitch loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. It has a long handle and usually two to five thin tines designed to efficiently move such materials.
The term is also applie ...
'' by Dylan Green concludes: "With mixed results, ''Lover'' tries to bring that eye and ear to a brighter musical palette and greener romantic pastures. To paraphrase the great
Roy Kent, real love should make you feel like you’ve been struck by lightning. 6LACK manages some sparks here and there, but the tingles fade fast."
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
's Andy Kellman described the album as "breezy and uncharacteristically serene" and "lighter -- and more emotionally open -- than either of his first two LPs."
Elliot Burr of ''
The Line of Best Fit
''The Line of Best Fit'' is an independent online magazine based in London, concentrating on new music.
It publishes independent music reviews, features, interview, and media. Founded by Richard Thane in February 2007 and currently edited by P ...
'' wrote that the album was "hiding thoughtful romanticisms and nuanced musical flashes that are a delight to discover."
Writing for ''
Clash'', Robin Murray called the album 6LACK’s "crowning statement" with "some of his most personal work to date."
The album received a nomination for
Best Progressive R&B Album at the
66th Annual Grammy Awards.
Track listing
Notes
* signifies an additional producer
* signifies a recording producer
* "Talkback" features an interpolation of "
Shape of My Heart", as performed by
Sting.
Personnel
Musicians
*
6lack – vocals
*
Quin – additional vocals (tracks 1, 3, 11)
* Syx Rose Valentine – additional vocals (1)
* Alex Gorchesky – guitar (1)
*
Psymun – guitar (1)
* Yakob – guitar (1), string arrangement (11)
* Rascal – drum
programming (2)
* Octave – guitar (2)
* Fwdslxsh – synthesizer (2, 7, 13), keyboard arrangements (2); drums, guitar (3); synthesizer (4, 15, 19), drum programming (5, 15, 17), programming (7, 13), string arrangement (11)
* Dylan Wiggins – bass guitar (3), synthesizer (4, 7)
* Alex Goldblatt – guitar (3, 13)
*
Sounwave – programming (3)
* Singawd – drum programming (4), synthesizer (18, 19)
* Marco Bernardis – saxophone (4)
* Kill September – synthesizer (4, 18, 19)
*
Khris Riddick – drum programming (5)
* India Shawn – additional vocals (6)
* EY – drum programming (7)
* Alex Blake – guitar (7)
* 8AE – additional vocals (9)
* Nick Veinoglou – guitar (10)
*
Mereba – additional vocals (12, 19)
* Toian – additional vocals (12)
* ForTheNight – drum programming (12)
* Adriano – guitar (12), piano (12)
*
Olu – drum programming (13)
* Kevin Ekofo – guitar (13)
* Syreeta Butler – spoken word (14)
* Beau Nox – background vocals (15)
*
Leon Thomas – background vocals (15)
*
Don Toliver – vocals (15)
* Slimwav – piano (17)
*
Wale – vocals (17)
*
Pink Sweats
David Bowden (born February 14, 1992), known professionally as Pink Sweats (stylized as Pink Sweat$), is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He released his first Extended play, EP ''Volume 1'' in 2018, led by the single "Honest ...
– additional vocals (18)
* Joe Reeves – bass guitar, guitar (18)
* Ashley Williams – choir (18)
* Erik Brooks – choir (18)
* Herman Bryant III – choir (18)
* Shelia Moser – choir (18)
* Steve Epting – choir (18)
* Simon Hessman – guitar (18)
* Crush – violin (18)
*
Lauren Jauregui
Lauren Michelle Jauregui Morgado (; born June 27, 1996) is an American singer and songwriter. She rose to prominence as a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony, which became one of the List of best-selling girl groups, best-selling girl groups ...
– additional vocals (19)
*
Ty Dolla Sign
Tyrone William Griffin Jr. (born April 13, 1982), known professionally as Ty Dolla Sign (stylized as Ty Dolla $ign or Ty$), is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Griffin gai ...
– additional vocals (19)
*
Camper – bass guitar, guitar (19)
Technical
* JT Gagarin –
mixing
* Jon Castelli – mixing (1–15, 17–19)
* Joshua Deguzman – mix
engineering
Engineering is the practice of using natural science, mathematics, and the engineering design process to Problem solving#Engineering, solve problems within technology, increase efficiency and productivity, and improve Systems engineering, s ...
(1–15, 17–19)
* Fwxdslxsh – recording arrangement (1, 2, 13, 15, 18)
* Simon Hessman – recording arrangement (1)
* Rascal – recording arrangement (2, 13)
* Derek "206derek" Anderson – recording (15)
* EY – recording production (16)
Charts
References
{{6lack
2023 albums
6lack albums
Interscope Records albums
Albums produced by Sounwave