Dawn Richard, the former Danity Kane member who became an ever-changing alt-R&B traveler, has lately been in the news for reasons related to her old pop career. Last year, she sued Sean Combs for sexual abuse. This year, she testified against Combs in his criminal trial, saying that she witnessed him assaulting Cassie. Musically, Richard’s recent work has been on the more esoteric side. She worked with Spencer Zahn on the 2024 album Quiet In A World Full Of Noise and with Joseph Shabason on the recent jazz-inflected tribute song “Broken Hearted Sade.” On her latest single, Richard goes in a much more direct route.
Dawn Richard’s new song “A Flex” is a standalone for now, though a press release mentions a new album on the way. This is a statement, a signal that she’s shifting into something different. On this song, Richard returns to slinky, poppy R&B that’s rooted in New Orleans bounce and live-band funk. It’s a sexy, confident track that would make perfect sense on her 2021 album Second Line. I’d say it also works in conversation with recent records from Amaarae and Sudan Archives. Below, check out the video, which Richard co-directed with Zildjian.
“A Flex” is out now on Merge. Dawn Richard will play a 12/12 hometown show at the New Orleans venue Tipitina’s.
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