Kali Uchis is rolling out the release of her upcoming album, “Sincerely: PS,” by teaming up with fellow R&B singer and songwriter Ravyn Lenae. Their single, “Cry about it!” fuses smooth R&B with strong 1950s doo-wop influences, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and modern. Together, Uchis and Lenae deliver an incisive yet soothing bilingual melody that perfectly encapsulates a sort of “…must be cruel to be kind” approach when speaking to their current lover’s ex.
Both Uchis and Lenae, co-writers on the song, contribute a fresh take as the “new woman,” a rather untold side of an assumed but unsubstantiated love triangle. Instead of being reduced to the hated party (the girl who keeps the guy) – they craft a perfect response to their lover’s ex and her meddling. They refuse to engage with the undeserved projections and resentments towards them. Instead, they encourage the past lover to leave behind the imagined rivalry and move on – for their own sake.
This is a prevalent theme nowadays, bolstered by common social media habits, where a quick username search can spiral into a deep dive through the profiles of a past friend, lover, or worse – an ex’s new lover. Many users complain about the accessibility to endless photos and updates of their ex with their new lover, needlessly self-inflicting heartbreak, often painting an unfair picture of the new partner based on minimal interaction. The lyrics to the song hint at the damage this does to the ex-lover as she continues “creeping beneath the surface.”
To make matters worse, these habits are prone to lead to loosely based and unfair preconceptions about a stranger, and it is under these conditions that the singers urge the ex-lover to let go. Uchis even switches the direction of the song into Spanish, to deliver the line that sums up the whole of their connection: “Sé que me odias solo por un hombre” — “I know you hate me over a man.” Uchis attempts to understand, but ultimately decides it’s beyond her.
The progression of the song then introduces the soft but resounding vocals of Lenae, as she sings of unresolved emotions, and concludes that there is only one way to move forward: “Baby girl, take it easy.” The doo-wop influence, often associated with idealized love, reinforces the sense that, despite the lurking presence of a third party, their love is protected and safe from intrigues.
This single sets the tone for what promises to be an engaging and dynamic album. “Sincerely: PS,” out September 26, seems poised to continue this tradition of honest storytelling and genre-blending creativity.The release follows on the heels of Uchis’ “Sincerely: PS Tour,” which continues to draw passionate fans showing up fervently to experience her music. With support from San Diego natives and soul outfit Thee Sacred Souls, the tour is rolling out sold-out dates and holding an incredible run. Learn more and check the dates for the ongoing tour here.
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