Syd announces new album “Beard” with new song “Callin” featuring Blu June

Syd, the LA musician, has built a reputation as a solo artist after her time with Odd Future and leading the Internet. Although it has been four years since her last album, “Broken Hearts Club,” she has since released singles like “Die For This” and “GMFU.” Now, she is gearing up to release her new album, “Beard,” this summer.

“Beard” boasts collaborations with artists like Big Sean, Rodney Jerkins, James Fauntleroy, Van Hunt, and Jordan Ward, showcasing a diverse range of contributors spanning different generations. The album includes the song “GMFU” but leaves out “Die For This.” The lead single, “Callin,” explores the theme of feeling uneasy in public and attempting to connect with a romantic interest over the phone. Produced by Syd and Nova Wav, the track features Blu Jane and bass by soul icon Raphael Saadiq. While the song evokes late-90s R&B vibes, it manages to maintain a fresh and contemporary sound.

In a press release, Syd describes “Beard” as a coming-of-age album that reflects her current life. The title draws inspiration from the peach fuzz on her upper lip, a feature that society has often deemed as undesirable. Embracing her peach fuzz allowed Syd to challenge societal beauty standards and take ownership of her confidence and self-love. The title also symbolizes her unique position in the music industry – “The bearded lady” – standing out as an anomaly and outlier among her peers. Embracing former insecurities has been an empowering experience, allowing her to redefine her self-image and embrace her individuality.

Accompanied by a music video directed by Naleye J, the single “Callin” is a poignant exploration of personal discomfort and longing. The tracklist for “Beard” includes songs like “Walls,” “Jasmin 17,” “Always Be Mine,” “Bad Guys,” and many more. Syd is set to perform a series of live shows in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen to promote the album.

“Beard” is slated for release on July 17 by Free Lunch/Warner, and fans can pre-order the album. With her latest project, Syd continues to push boundaries and explore new sonic landscapes, cementing her position as a standout artist in the alt-soul genre.