Relapse.

It’s very unlikely that you haven’t heard of Gallant. 

He blew up in 2016 with his single “Weight in Gold” and has then been crushing the modern R&B scene. Captivating with his sultry, fierce falsettos, and a smooth fusion between R&B, soul, and electronic, he carved out a distinguished style that brought him to fame.  

His 2016 debut studio album Ology is much like an introspective memoir of the artist’s soul and thoughts, a reflection of struggles and contemplations sung in his signature, booming voice. The record earned him a 2017 Grammy nomination and fired up his music career. Two years later, Gallant released Sweet Insomnia, brimming with similar somber songwriting and a dark, slow sound, but this time scattered with heavier-hitting beats leaning toward hip-hop, like on “Paper Tulips” and “Crimes.” 

Since moving from Columbia, Maryland to Los Angeles to pursue his music career, Gallant has had toured with Sufjan Stevens, worked with notable artists such as 6LACK, and Noah Cyrus, and performed at Coachella with Jhene Aiko and Seal. 

While we anticipate his third studio album Neptune, he’s given us two new gems to enjoy in the meantime. “Relapse.” was his most recent release. Compared to his previously piercing falsettos, Gallant keeps it lowkey with the vocals on this one. He describes it as a “smoother, more meditative vibe.” 

His voice comes off as a seductive whisper singing about the addiction of emotional intimacy and human touch, regardless of our inhibition and pride. 

“I see Saturn’s moon rising, it’s pulling on your conviction. But tame your superstition, there's nothing to prove here. People telling you lies ’cause the truth's in what you know you're feeling. So girl, don't blame your position, blame the human condition, yeah.”

Tender keys and a violin instrumental send us out of the track on a romantic, dreamy note and spark a feeling of comfortable vulnerability.