With two previous albums exploring the toxic themes of love, Brent Faiyaz returns with a soft and romantic yet inquiring perspective on his new album, Icon.

Faiyaz has been on hiatus for a little over three years. His new release, just in time for Valentine’s season, delves into a dreamy and upbeat mood. 

The album begins with “White Noise” which is an instrumental. The cinematic strings are a great way to introduce the album. 

The songs “Have To” and “Butterflies” are tracks that stand out. These songs explore themes of longing and the anxiety that follows falling in love, contrasting with his previous albums, which typically focus themes of masculinity and toxicity.

Another song on the album that stands out is “Pure Fantasy.” It has both modern and old-school R&B vibes, and the airy vocal delivery enhances its romantic atmosphere.

The album is like a breath of fresh air in some ways, but overall it is not up to par with his other releases. While vulnerability is admirable, these tracks feel less captivating than is older one. It’s a nice change, but it doesn’t hit as hard as his previous emotional intensity.

The overall molodies and tone of the album leaves listeners with a decent album that is mostly worth the wait.