November, SiR’s previous album, was narrated by a robotic female voice referred to as K. She was SiR’s personal navigator, calmly interrupting to update on their journey time. She makes a cameo on his most recent release, Chasing Summer. Though she says few words, her presence emphasises SiR’s directionless and need for guidance as he navigates yet another toxic relationship.

The opener of an album is the unfortunate yardstick of an album’s greatness. Artists have just a few minutes to seize listeners. On Hair Down ft Kendrick Lamar, SiR sets the tone for his phenomenal project. The drone-like melody repeats for the entirety of the song. Upon hearing it, you can’t help but picture cruising towards a sunset.

Just as November was an ode to a particular period or person, Chasing Summer is a penned love story to the girl from ‘Queen Street’. SiR sings about a life which couldn’t contrast more starkly with his reality. He’s been married for 10 years yet sings like a bachelor whose relationship track record is marred with misfortune, lust and bad decisions.

On his last album, he was more egotistical ‘All her little friends can’t stand me/Because they know I would trade her love for a Grammy’ he sung. On this album, he carries elements of the same arrogance. On Fire, he compliments ‘Summer’ endlessly and begs for another chance. Why? Because she won’t find any better and it’s better the devil you know ‘We both know this house could never be a home, but ain’t you sick of spending all your nights alone’.

Fire is a standout on the album. The song’s prequel is a woman – perhaps Summer – ranting about SiR’s wrongdoings  ‘I can’t believe this n*gga ain’t call me back/Talkin ’bout, he the King of R&B/I thought we had a good time’. The song has a simple chord progression but SiR adds some depth and musical layers by playing the key’s relative minor during the chorus. It creates a natural build-up which is perfectly suited for this tranquil love song. The song is beautiful, so beautiful your ears are muted to all the profanity SiR is spewing.

SiR opts for minimalist instrumentation throughout the album. It’s never too overpowering – a light drum percussion with a guitar and/or piano. It’s sounds intentional, it’s as if SiR has been careful to not detract from the content of his words.

At 14 tracks, the album is the perfect length for the attention spans of this streaming era. The first half of the album is more or less perfect but the latter half lacks in punch. Songs like Still Blue ft Jill Scott or Lucy’s Love, with an odd and unexpected Lil Wayne feature , could have been swapped out for other tracks.

On Chasing Summer, SiR offers 45 minutes of hazy, hyonotic R&B laced with tinges of neo-soul. It’s music that reels you in, entraps you and makes you feel. In a time where R&B music lovers are searching for their chosen one, SiR has firmly emerged as their Neo.

Stream Chasing Summer!