Syd Announces New Album ‘Beard’: Hear “Callin” (Feat. Blu June)

The LA musician Syd is a veteran of Odd Future and the leader of the Internet, but she’s really come into her own as a solo artist, singing tough but expansive alt-soul. It’s been about four years since Syd released Broken Hearts Club, her last album. Last year, she shared the one-off singles “Die For This” and “GMFU.” Now, she’s ready to announce Beard, the new album that she’ll release this summer.

According to a press release, Beard features contributions from artists like Big Sean, Rodney Jerkins, James Fauntleroy, Van Hunt, and Jordan Ward — a real cross-generational group of collaborators. “GMFU” is on the album, and “Die For This” is not. Lead single “Callin” is a short but evocative number about feeling uncomfortable out in public and trying to get a romantic interest on the phone. Syd co-produced the gasping, hesitating track with Nova Wav, a production duo known for their work with Beyoncé. It’s a duet with Nova Wav member Blu June, and soul legend Raphael Saadiq plays bass. The song sounds a lot like late-’90s R&B, but it doesn’t feel like a pastiche.

Here’s what Syd says about Beard in a press release:

Beard is a coming of age album for me. It’s a snapshot of what my life looks like right now. The title was inspired by the peach fuzz on my upper lip that society has always taught me to hate. I fell in love with my peach fuzz, and it made me rethink everything that was supposed to make me feel insecure. 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. The title also represents the way I see myself in relation to my peers, especially in music. “The bearded lady.” Not so much a spectacle in my case, but an anomaly and an outlier. Hard to compare. I’m owning that, too. Taking things that were once insecurities and flipping them on their head has been extremely empowering.

For whatever reason, the Naleye J-directed “Callin” video is much shorter than the song itself. Below, check out the video, the full track, the Beard tracklist, and Syd’s short slate of upcoming live shows.

TRACKLIST:
01 “Walls”
02 “Callin” (Feat. Blu June)
03 “Jasmin 17”
04 “My Love”
05 “Always Be Mine”
06 “Closet”
07 “Bad Guys”
08 “GMFU”
09 “Do Better”
10 “Any Time”
11 “Water”
12 “2 Many Days”

TOUR DATES:
08/29 – London, UK @ All Points East
08/31 – Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall
09/01 – London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
09/03 – Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 Galvanizers
09/05 – Paris, France @ La Cigale
09/06 – Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique
09/07 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
09/09 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Amager Bio

Beard is out 7/17 on Free Lunch/Warner. Pre-order it here.