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GIVĒON has released a new song called “RATHER BE.” I haven’t really listened to him before—or at least, not with full attention. But now that I’m tuning in properly, the first thing that strikes me is: good god, what a voice.
“RATHER BE” is followed up by his slow-dance banger “TWENTIES,” and listening to them back to back is a great experience—they complement each other beautifully.
If you compare “TWENTIES” to something like “Leave The Door Open” or other recent R&B tracks from Bruno Mars, there’s definitely a similar spirit. I love that we’re going “back to the future” by bringing old-school R&B and soul into the present, upgraded with modern production techniques.
GIVĒON’s music puts his voice right at the center—and honestly, that’s exactly where it belongs. His tone deserves the spotlight. I’m a sucker for reverb, and on “RATHER BE,” it feels like he’s singing in an empty mid-sized theater. There’s a sense of space and intimacy that works so well. A lot of R&B today suffers from overly complex vocal runs or showy flourishes, but that’s where taste comes in. Artists like GIVĒON, Daniel Caesar, and Yebba know exactly when to hold back and when to let loose.
The instrumental here is deceptively simple. On the surface, it feels minimal—but there’s actually a lot going on. A tight rhythm section underpins the track, and you can hear subtle strings weaving in and out, occasionally blossoming into focus. There are also trumpets, backing vocals, a sharp rhythm guitar, and even some organ that sneaks in toward the end. It all adds up to a rich, dynamic soundscape.
If this is where R&B is headed, I’m all in—and I’d happily elect GIVĒON to lead the way. Go give his latest tracks a listen!
