Donate
  • About
  • Rent College Pads
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
Search
News
Opinions
Sports
Classifieds
Comics
BMA
Events
Subscribe

Thursday, June 1, 2023
Print Archive

Eastern Echo
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Events
  • Classifieds
  • Search
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Events
  • Classifieds
Search

Subscribe to the Echo

Donate to The Echo

You can support the Echo by donating through the EMU Foundation and selecting to apply your gift to a specific fund. Any of the funds listed below will provide support to the Echo.

01049 -- EMU Echo Editor Endowed Scholarship:  Provides financial support for the current EMU Echo Editor.

02414 -- Scott Stephenson Eastern Echo Scholarship:  This expendable scholarship is for the benefit of student(s) in the School of Communication, Media & Theater Arts in the College of Arts & Sciences.  It will be awarded to a full or part-time junior or senior EMU student majoring in journalism and working for the Eastern Echo.  The student should be working to self-finance their education and not be eligible for need-based grants.

00825 -- Student Media Development:  Provides support for the Student Media program.

Thank you for supporting the Echo and EMU Student Media.

Give Now


4/4/2023, 8:00am

Review: 6LACK rises from the depths with his new album 'Since I Have A Lover'

After disappearing for five years the East Atlanta vocalist is back with his third studio album. With an improved head space and a new focus 6LACK gifts "Since I Have A Lover."

By Aaron Hughes

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print
Review: 6LACK rises from the depths with his new album 'Since I Have A Lover'

A lot has happened since Atlanta artist 6LACK released his last album “East Atlanta Love Letter.” Now, five years later, the R&B artist releases his third album “Since I have A Lover.”

With a more joyful sound, the singer plans to continue to build his already admired discography.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by black (@6lack)

Album Highs

The smooth and easygoing style of 6LACK has been missing for a while. Thankfully, 6LACK continues this on “Since I have A Lover,” partially due to the production of FWDSLXSH, who has worked with him in the past.

All the songs have a similar theme that fits his style, but none sound the same. "Since I have A Lover" constantly crosses between rap and R&B, and from somber to uptempo.

In addition, he has taken a new direction in his songwriting, focusing more on the romantic and joyful sides of relationships. Though he still talks about the hardships of dating like in “Playin House” or “Tit for Tat,” most songs have a more pleasant view of relationships, which is a stark difference from the past.

His selectiveness in collaboration is a double-edged sword as this does not overcrowd his LP like other artists tend to do. However, it does make me wish to see him have more features. The only official collabs are Don Tolliver and QUIN, but there are hidden features such as Wale and Yebba.

Finally, the pacing of the album was done just right, as it just strays away from being too slow or monotonous. Once the album hit the halfway point it began to pick up with songs like the afrobeat-inspired “Decatur” or the bass-heavy “Talk.”

Album Lows

It's hard to justify a 19-song album, but paying attention to the pacing and timing helps. As stated before, it was nice to see him be selective with his features, but songs like “Chasing Feelings” could have improved with the addition of another vocalist.

While “Since I Have A Lover” is solid from start to finish, there is no star of the show. This does not make the album poor, but this might hurt its replay value.

Summary

6LACK's ability to switch between rapper and singer makes any song interesting. The atmospheric sound of many songs like “Temporary” make it easy to lose yourself in the music.

Though it is earlier in the year, I do worry if “Since I Have A Lover,” will still be talked about near the end of 2023.

A great follow-up to “East Atlanta Love Letter,” this album is an 8 out of 10.

Best Songs:

“Since I Have A Lover”

“Decatur”

“Talk”

Share



Related Stories

Caroline Polacheck.jpeg

Review: Caroline Polachek's 'Desire, I Want To Turn Into You' sets the bar

By Aaron Hughes

lets start here lil yachty.jpeg

Review: Take part in the Lil Yachty experience on his new alt-rock album 'Let’s Start Here.'

By Aaron Hughes

gloria sam smith.jpeg

Opinion: The most anticipated albums of 2023

By Aaron Hughes


The Eastern Echo welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.


Most Popular


5/28/2023, 11:17am

EMU Football program to host Midweek Maction Camp

By Blake McQueary

The second annual camp hosted at The Factory had over 100 coaches from 40 different programs in attendance last year.


5/31/2023, 11:00am

Ypsi Pride kicks off pride month with events for the community in Depot Town


5/30/2023, 9:43am

Riverside Fine Arts Club hosts third showcase in Ypsilanti


5/29/2023, 11:08am

Review: ‘Queen Charlotte' is a regal journey through love, scandal and mental resilience


Podcast


4/27/2023, 11:33am

Eastern Echo Podcast: Editor-in-Chief Layla McMurtrie Signing Off


3/2/2023, 11:36am

TheBlockE Podcast: Episode 12 - MAC Tournament Controversy


2/18/2023, 4:41pm

TheBlockE Podcast: Episode 11 - WHAT'S GOING ON?!


2/12/2023, 2:39pm

Echo Interviews: Kings of Color President Dylan Hughey discusses Black History Month


Tweets by TheEasternEcho
Eastern Michigan Echo To Homepage
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Freelance
  • Submissions
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Distribution

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2023 The Eastern Echo

Powered by Solutions by The State News.