Katana VentraIP

Since I Have a Lover

Since I Have a Lover is the third studio album by American singer 6lack. It was released on March 24, 2023, through LVRN and Interscope Records.[7]

Since I Have a Lover

March 24, 2023

58:23

The album received a nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.[8]

Background[edit]

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 β€” #SIHAL πŸ’".[9] 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.[10] The single released on March 1.[10] On March 10, 6lack released the single "Talkback".[11] On March 16, 6lack released the single "Fatal Attraction".[12] The album was released on March 24.

Critical reception[edit]

According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Since I Have a Lover received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 68 out of 100 from 6 critic scores.[6] Ammar Kalia of The Observer writes "Yet, with such a long tracklist, Since I Have a Lover is stifled by the weight of its slow and atmospheric fillers. [...] Ultimately, this is the work of an artist in transition, catering to old fans and well-trodden styles while attempting to settle on something new."[5] Dylan Green for Pitchfork 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."[2] Harpsichord Zine praised the versatility and vulnerability of the album mentioning that 6lack approaches the tracklist like "a rapper, where rappers show they’re at the top of the game by imitating and perfecting the styles of what is hot in their respective genre."[13] Furthermore, album track, "Temporary," was listed at No. 6 on the publication's 33 Best Songs of 2023, and named one of the 64 Songs That Narrated The Mainstream 2023.[14][15]

signifies an additional producer

^[a]

signifies a recording producer

^[r]

"Talkback" features an interpolation of "", as performed by Sting.

Shape of My Heart

Notes

– vocals

6lack

– additional vocals (tracks 1, 3, 11)

Quin

Syx Rose Valentine – additional vocals (1)

Alex Gorchesky – guitar (1)

– guitar (1)

Psymun

Yakob – guitar (1), string arrangement (11)

Rascal – drum (2)

programming

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)

– programming (3)

Sounwave

Singawd – drum programming (4), synthesizer (18, 19)

Marco Bernardis – saxophone (4)

Kill September – synthesizer (4, 18, 19)

– drum programming (5)

Khris Riddick

India Shawn – additional vocals (6)

EY – drum programming (7)

Alex Blake – guitar (7)

8AE – additional vocals (9)

Nick Veinoglou – guitar (10)

– additional vocals (12, 19)

Mereba

Toian – additional vocals (12)

ForTheNight – drum programming (12)

Adriano – guitar (12), piano (12)

– drum programming (13)

Olu

Kevin Ekofo – guitar (13)

Syreeta Butler – spoken word (14)

Beau Nox – background vocals (15)

– background vocals (15)

Leon Thomas

– vocals (15)

Don Toliver

Slimwav – piano (17)

– vocals (17)

Wale

– additional vocals (18)

Pink Sweats

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)

– additional vocals (19)

Lauren Jauregui

– additional vocals (19)

Ty Dolla Sign

Camper – bass guitar, guitar (19)

Musicians


Technical