In just 10 songs, Brent Faiyaz delivers another soulful, rich and ethereal R&B album. The album is composed of 10 tracks without features, proclaiming his artistic growth and impact in the neo-soul genre. “Icon” is a step forward in Faiyaz’s journey in the music industry as he works with new producers and experiments with incorporating genres like R&B, hip-hop, nu-disco and classic soul. Faiyaz leaves topics of toxicity and darkness in the past as his new album unravels music about love and vulnerability.

“white noise.”

The first track begins with an ominous interlude composed of violin, synthesizers and string instruments. The song feels compelling with a sinister twist, setting the tone for a distinctive album. The beginning is dramatic and orchestral, a piece that stands out against the rest of his R&B-influenced songs.

“wrong faces.”

The first line that pulls the listener out of the hypnotic trance that was “white noise” is “Let me hear it from the top.” The song follows with the lyrics, “You’ve been looking for love / In all the wrong, the wrong faces,” a tribute to his personal experience with past relationships. Using sentimental words to describe longing and hopelessness in a way that is palatable and carries layers, Faiyaz pays homage to early 2000’s rhythm and blues music.

“have to.”

Opening with percussion and heavy synth, the song is upbeat and eclectic. “have to.” sounds like a song straight from the ‘90s. The heavy presence of disco-like piano and electronic keyboard chords echoing in the background covers Faiyaz’s vocal talent; the song would have benefited if he emphasized his raw, distinct voice. The innovative leap of mixing instruments with synthesizers is well recognized. Still, the role of emotional connectivity and the relationship to the song gets easily lost in the void that is autotune. 

“butterflies.”

Waves of electronic beats pulse the song to life, with Faiyaz’s voice soft and smooth, with lyrics like “Ain’t this supposed to be painless?” pouring out of his soul. Halfway through the song, the music turns from romantic to despairing with keyboard and synth. The duality of this song is touching as it reminds people of the vulnerability that comes with being in a relationship with someone.

“other side.”

Compared to Faiyaz’s discography, “other side.” is bold, retro and artistic. The beginning is passionate and ambient with thumping bass and electric guitar. “I move and breathe/ To make sure you feel special being mine, oh, mine” adds lyrical charm and creativity to the vivid soundscape. Faiyaz’s vocals carry the sensuality of R&B as he sings, “You must be from the other side / ‘Cause I saw you in my dreams last night.” Overall, the song embodies and flawlessly executes Faiyez’s shift towards a neo-soul genre. It is easily one of the most memorable and catchy songs of the album.

“strangers.”

Faiyaz dives into the world of storytelling with “strangers.” a melancholic and soulful rendition questioning a relationship’s stability and a partner’s emotional availability. When a relationship turns into secrets, emotional heartbreak and uncertainty, Faiyaz arises with the lyrics “I tried my best to be a man through it all” and “Is this something I did/ To us?/ What happened?” The song does not hold back on honesty and the loss that comes with the end of a relationship. With dark synth and acoustic guitar, “strangers.” is another anthem added to the greatly composed R&B heartbreak songs.

“world is yours.”

Faiyaz opens with a high-pitched tone in his voice that sounds like a whine, off-putting to the rest of the song. After this interlude comes a profound expression of Faiyaz bringing his guard down to be a partner in a relationship, unbounded by societal expectations, but instead leaning into sensitivity and empathy. Soul-stirring lyrics, “There’s nothing you can’t have from me/And the world is yours,” deliver unconditional trust and love, creating a beautifully written song.

“four seasons.”

Violin echoes as twinkling synth surrounds Faiyaz’s raw vocals. “four seasons.” is a musical metaphor for the complexity of relationships. By comparing them to seasons, the song starts with “Some days you’re hot as July/Sometimes you’re cold as the wintertime.” The contrast is there, but Faiyaz’s lyricism falls short, as he could have described the bittersweet reality in greater depth. While the juxtaposition is symbolic, with lines like “That’s why I write these songs/ Thinking maybe I can reach you,” His persona is ultimately unclear in this song; listeners are left wondering if he ends up staying through the highs and lows or if he is being emotionally manipulated due to the dramatization.

“pure fantasy.”

The song opens with cheering and applause, followed by the lines “Be whoever you want/I’ll be whoever I want with you.” “pure fantasy.” is introduced with snare drums and techno beats as it turns into an atmospheric, texturized R&B song. Even though the song can be redundant as the lyrics repeat, “Girl, it’s pure/ Pure fantasy,” the synthesizers sound glittering, making the song ingrained in your memory. Although the song carries hip-hop influence, Faiyaz could have experimented more with the song’s melody or wordplay.

“vanilla sky.”

The song “vanilla sky.” resembles a long list of life questions disguised as a profound melody. String instruments are drawn out by doubtful lyrics, such as when Faiyaz sings, “To show this part of me? That nobody sees/ Is this a safe space for me?” When looking at the song from a lyrical perspective, it creates a melancholic sense of taking action as the song ends solemnly with, “Whatever finds you will sure do/ Your fortune will guide you.” However, as the last song on the album, the lyrics do overcompensate for the lack of musical depth.

Faiyez should find the fine line between expressing his natural voice and artistic vision with electro-hip-hop influence. While in some songs, the autotune adds depth and originality, in others, the context and message of the song get lost in high-pitched, artificially generated noise. As well, the addition of all lowercase songs reflects the overall “chill vibe” of the album and Faiyaz moving away from conformity music culture. Faiyez’s artistic choice of immersing himself in the R&B and neo-soul genres sets him apart from other artists. His individuality and addition of manipulating synth and beats fosters a multi-faceted listening experience for any person who likes R&B, hip-hop or soul music.

Rating: 4/5