Syd has returned to announce a new album, Beard, due out on July 17th via Free Lunch/Warner Records. She’s also shared the LP’s lead single, “Callin’,” featuring Blu june.
Beard is Syd’s third solo album and her first effort in four years; her previous album, 2022’s Broken Hearts Club, followed her 2017 debut Fin. The new LP was co-produced by Syd and features contributions from Raphael Saadiq, Big Sean, Rodney Jerkins, James Fauntleroy, Van Hunt, Blu June, and Jordan Ward
“This is a coming of age album for me,” Syd said in a press release. “It’s a snapshot of what my life looks like right now.” The Internet singer revealed that the album’s title was inspired by the peach fuzz on her upper lip. “I fell in love with my peach fuzz and it made me rethink everything that was supposed to make me feel insecure,” she said.
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“It allowed me to take my confidence into my own hands, and own everything that I am and everything I love about myself, regardless of what anyone else thinks.” She added that the title also reflects how she sees herself in the music industry — as “the bearded lady.” “Not so much a spectacle in my case, but an anomaly and an outlier,” she said.
As the first preview of Beard, Syd has shared “Callin’” featuring Blu june, a smooth, smoky slice of R&B about the timeless frustrations of unrequited love in a modern relationship. Stream it below.