Kehlani - 'Nights Like This' feat. Ty Dolla $ign
Busy prepping for the birth of her daughter in a couple of months, the Oakland princess is (finally) back with new music! Teaming up with the smooth hitmaker himself, Ty Dolla $ign, Kehlani laments over an ex-lover on eerie, chilling R&B record, 'Nights Like This!' The record marks Lani's first release from her highly anticipated mixtape set to drop in February.
"You act like you need reminding / Tryin' to do it over bring it back and rewind it / But all that glitters isn't gold, I was blinded / I should've never gave you my heart on consignment."
From beginning to end, Kehlani evaluates her past relationship she endured with this past lover and the mistakes she made that caused her heart to be damaged so heavily. While reminiscing on the toxicity she also cannot help but to think of this anonymous person during nights as such. This person is obviously still important to Kehlani as they have her literally sitting, sipping, and missing them. However, Kehlani is now wiser and she knows better. She knows that if she allows herself to go back to that place, her heart will ultimately be damaged... yet again as she sings in the chorus. Ultimately she can't trust them, no matter how much she desires to.
"On some nights like this, I just want to text you but for what? / You gon' say you want me then go switch it up. / Just gon' play with my emotions just because, no (ooh)."
Ty Dolla floats over the haunting production with a quick verse mirroring Lani's exact energy. He also reminisces about a lover of his own as he sings about being way too good to this person while ultimately being taken for granted. However, he refuses to play the fool and will not fall prey to such stupidity again. No matter how much he wants her, he will not allow himself to be played again.
Presenting the same story, the video follows with Kehlani assuming the role of a scientist who finds a humanoid robot at her doorstep. Due to the kindness of her heart, she repairs the robot, teaching her love and kindness. The two establish a sincere bond before the robot learns that it cannot be a human and feel emotion the way that humans do, which leads to her taking over Kehlani's body, killing Ty Dolla, and burning Kehlani's house down.
Visually, it presents the same story carried within the lyricism of being kindhearted, naive, and genuine just to be played and/or betrayed by someone you love in the end. Both the video and single are powerful and beautiful. I have definitely missed hearing Kehlani's beautiful, soothing voice. The song is very heartfelt and the video displays a very dope story.
Musically, Lani has been extremely quiet about what she is cooking up in the lab. In October, the young R&B crooner shocked the world with her monumental pregnancy announcement.
However, since then, no individual releases or singles have followed (until now). In a recent interview with Beats 1's Zane Lowe, the singer talks about life, growth, her upcoming mixtape AND album, and becoming a mother.
"So I started making an album, which became possibly one of the most serious projects I've ever worked on. I started in October.. September.. It's a real story, my next official album is a story. I’m telling stories I’ve never told," she began. "They're not even from my perspective. They're from two people that I'm about to bring out into the world. It's my parents. It’s my parents’ story articulated into mine, articulated into a gift for my daughter, so she knows where she comes from," she continued.
She also switched gears to give some insight about this mixtape she's been working on. The untitled tape holds four features (one of which is Ty Dolla $ign). When asked about the release of the tape she jokingly hinted at a possible February release before stating that it would be dropping "really soon!" We most definitely cannot wait for even more new music Lani!
Until then, stream Kehlani's newest single, 'Nights Like This' feat. Ty Dolla $ign here!