It’s only the first week of April, and 2020 has already been an insane ride for music fans. From the release of some of the most highly anticipated projects in recent memory (Eternal Atake, A Written Testimony, etc.), to polished records from industry heavyweights (After Hours, The Slow Rush), 2020 has given us absolutely everything—well, that is almost everything. 2020 has yet to present us with an unknown voice who explodes onto the scene. A young artist who has a different way of doing things and sounds like none of their predecessors. A rare talent that has the ability to force an entire genre to pivot directions to follow this exciting new star. A future superstar who’s innate ability is indisputable and longevity undeniable. 2020 has yet to give us a true break out moment—that is until March 27th when R&B newcomer Giveon dropped his debut project, TAKE TIME.

Originally from Long Beach, Giveon fell in love with songwriting long before he ever thought about singing seriously. In an interview with DJ Booth, he explains how he used to start by writing short stories, then once complete, turn them into songs. Take one listen to the vivid imagery and introspective narrative in any Giveon song and it’s obvious that exercises like this paid off tenfold.

At the end of February, Giveon received his first major industry cosign. Making an appearance on Drake’s one-off freebie “Chicago Freestyle” was equi-part surprising and magical as the young vocalist delivered a chilling hook that brings the song together. The video alone generated 24 million views in one month—talk about a cosign.

Three weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting the 25-year-old artist when he came into my office space to play the then unreleased TAKE TIME for a group of us. “I had known I could sing, I just didn’t like my voice,” he told us. “I listened to Frank Ocean and Miguel, I thought that that’s how people were supposed to sound, and if you didn’t sound like them, you probably sounded weird.” Giveon carried this misconception until he had an epiphany listening to a Frank Sinatre record. “It was the very first time I heard a baritone singer,” he told us. “That was when I realized there might be an audience for my voice.” This influence is what makes Giveon so unique. The way that he effortlessly combines classic melodies, his breath-taking baritone voice, timeless song writing, and modern R&B production allows Giveon to create an entire world in his music that somehow feels familiar while simultaneously sounding like no one you’ve ever heard before.

Prior to the meeting I had heard his angelic single “HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY” so while I was already ecstatic to meet the young creative, I was in no way prepared for what I was about to hear.

On March 27th Giveon released his debut project, TAKE TIME. The eight song EP runs for 25-minutes and contains no features.

The project starts with a recorded voicemail from the artist’s mother, “Giveon, I don’t know if it was fireworks or gunshots but the birds is in the air.” Referring to helicopters as birds, the single sentence perfectly captures the constant essence of danger that exists in his hometown and is a perfect intro for the first track “THE BEACH.” On the track, Giveon sings about how it feels to bring a girl he likes back to Long Beach for the first time (“See, your mom told you about this side/It can get ugly/I'm just a boy from the east side/Do you love me?”). While he is clearly hesitant to expose this girl to the dangers of LBC, she tells him she’s not scared and is ready for whatever may unfold. Sonically, the track is wavy, anchored by a groovy baseline and a beautiful rhythm guitar.

The second track “WORLD WE CREATED” is graceful cut that accurately depicts the bliss that comes at the beginning of a relationship when everything seems to be perfect (“I just wanna stay in the world we created/I just wanna sink in the plans that we makin'/When I leave I'm not lookin' for a replacement for what I got”). The horns section in the back of the mix really compliments Giveon’s voice and the chorus on this thing feels so damn good.

Giveon’s euphoric relationship begins to turn sour on my personal favorite, “FAVORITE MISTAKE.” Clearly not in the same headspace as he was on “WORLD WE CREATED,” Giveon is now entertaining a women on the side and loving the lustrous affair (“Is my secret safe?/Safe with just you and me/We can't leave a trace/This is my favorite mistake”). Giveon’s staccato melody on the hook is backed by heavenly background vocals and creates an addicting effect that’ll have you constantly coming back to this track.

On the fifth track “THIS AIN’T LOVE” Giveon is clearly fed up with his “favorite mistake” although he’s still indulging the affair. He spoils her to get what he wants but is more frequently realizing that she is far inferior to his girl at home (“Know you ain't the same/in that Saint Laurent/Help you take it off/can't get too involved”). “THIS AIN’T LOVE '' is also the first time we are exposed to Giveon’s beautiful falsetto which he flexes on both verses.

The inevitable break-up happens somewhere between the end of track five and start of track six and “HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY” is the verbalization of the melancholy mood that plagues Giveon for months after (“Just like the day that I met you, the day I thought forever/Said that you love me, but that'll last for never/It's cold outside like when you walked out my life/Why you walk out my life?”). The slow and simple piano chords are one of few tracks in the wide open mix shining a bright spotlight on Giveon’s gorgeous vocals really showcasing his ability to carry an entire song on the strength of his voice alone.

The album’s first single, “LIKE I WANT YOU” appears next on the tracklist. Plenty of time has elapsed since the break-up and Giveon and his ex are now on speaking terms. More than anything he wants her to come back to him, but he hides these feelings because he fears she’s already moved on (“Sometimes I wish you knew/But I disguise the truth/I say I'm happy but I'm still stuck on us”). Giveon pours his soul into this slow jam and while the message is one of pain, it’s hard not to love this song.

The project concludes with “VANISH” a reflective track where Giveon relives the time leading up to the break-up. An outwardly distraught Giveon experiences first-hand that nothing stings like regret as he stews over things that were said in the final days of the relationship (“Sayin' things I don't mean/To someone that means the world to me/You see what I mean?”). The song ends with a heartbreaking voicemail from Giveon where he tells his now ex that he’s sorry, they are going to make it work, and that he loves her.

While only seven songs (eight if you count the 45 second interlude), Giveon’s debut project TAKE TIME is phenomenal and leaves you desperate for more. He seamlessly introduces himself and showcases the versatility of his voice while simultaneously taking us on a journey that was his last relationship. Giveon’s combination of genius songwriting, technical singing ability, and an eminently unique voice make him an extremely rare talent that truly is the whole package. Thank you Giveon for creating a world that listeners can escape to in a time where that’s exactly what people need.

favorite songs

THE BEACH

FAVORITE MISTAKE

HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY

Rating: 9

Listen to TAKE TIME here:

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