Album Review: Heavy by SiR
SiR returns with his third Top Dawg Entertainment record (fourth overall), almost five years after his major-label debut, drawing inspiration directly from his darkest times.
Remarkably, a half-decade has elapsed since SiR graced us with his album Chasing Summer. Following that album’s promotional cycle, the singer-songwriter sustained our anticipation with a series of fresh compositions that began to emerge in 2022. These pandemic-era singles and additional novel material will now find their rightful place on his fourth album, Heavy. SiR provides a glimpse of his sculpted physique on the album’s front cover, immortalized in a photograph captured by Ro. Despite being predominantly shrouded in shadow and illuminated solely by a crimson light, it is evident that he has been dedicating copious amounts of time to both the studio and the gym, a fact that has not gone unnoticed in his recent music videos. His commitment to his physical well-being and fitness rivals his musical pursuits.
“Nothing Even Matters,” one of the album’s most impressive tracks and earliest singles, is constructed upon a D’Angelo vocal sample from his Voodoo classic “Send It On,” which itself interpolated Kool & The Gang’s “Sea of Tranquility” from their self-titled 1969 debut album. Producer SamTrax adeptly manipulates the beat, crafting a seamless adaptation for a new generation that complements SiR’s vocal and distinct style.
In “Satisfaction,” SiR finds himself in his element, crooning about love with an expiration date, but it’s based on his 15-year marriage. A looped, bluesy guitar riff and understated drums serve as the melodic backdrop as he establishes the scene and elucidates the true nature of the circumstances. Though he acknowledges the inevitable outcome, he nonetheless harbors regret about the impending denouement of the relationship.
“No Evil” presents a facet of SiR that we have not previously encountered. The Taylor Hill-produced composition is somber, achieved through the juxtaposition of minor key guitar strums and gritty, impactful percussion. The crooner matches this energy with an almost guttural wail throughout the song as he questions whether a lover’s intentions are benevolent or malevolent. He disrobes and glistens with oil in the song’s accompanying visual, paying homage to D’Angelo’s infamous “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” video, but he incorporates additional elements into his rendition, including two dancers clad entirely in white and another dancer painted black with golden arrows protruding from her back.
“Karma,” featuring Isaiah Rashad, is a contemplative piece that explores a man’s apprehension about the potential repercussions of his reckless actions. The song’s heartfelt, poetic lyrics align seamlessly with SiR’s strengths as he navigates the Sigurd-produced beat. On the hook, he reflects, “It’s time I slow this ‘Llac down to a hunnid/I keep making the same mistakes when I should be learning from it/Aww, karma coming and it’s prolly gon’ be bad for me/Nothing I can do, it’s gon’ be what it has to be/Wish I never bought the game my uncle sold me/It’s a little too late to save the old me.”
Isaiah Rashad, for his part, infuses the song with a touch of the callous bravado that SiR alludes to in the second verse while also imparting a few introspective gems along the way.
“If you suppress enough, the decimals can make you special, uh
If you press enough, the extra ones can make you stress it, uh
They want the extra love, the extra love, the extra love
Exiled in Exodus, it’s excellent.”
“Life Is Good” encapsulates that quintessential sun-drenched summer vibe, thanks to the interplay between a lilting guitar melody and well-paced drums that maintain a steady, coasting rhythm alongside the singer-songwriter’s voice and dreamy backing vocals. Featured guest Scribz Riley embraces positivity wholeheartedly in his verse as well. While he acknowledges past challenges, his focus remains on his ascendant status in the present.
Other features include Ty Dolla on the explosive “Ignorant,” we have Anderson .Paak continues to prove why he’s one of the best-featured artists on “Poetry in Motion” and Ab-Soul with the following Rascal-produced track, “I’m Not Perfect.” The latter is where SiR opens with a candid reflection on the nature of personal growth and struggle. He is willing to be vulnerable, offering all he has to someone else while admitting his readiness may not be ideal. The recurring motif of taking one step forward and two steps back suggests a realistic view of progress—not as a straight line but as an ongoing effort with setbacks.
Ab-Soul’s verse adds depth by exploring themes of creation, duality, and balance through vivid imagery and wordplay. He references religious and biological symbols to discuss the complexity of human nature and the struggle to find equilibrium within oneself. Ab-Soul acknowledges his imperfections in a more philosophical context, touching on the challenges that come with self-awareness and personal development. SiR returns in the third verse to reiterate his commitment to growth within a relationship, recognizing that change takes time and involves internal conflict. Both artists use their verses to communicate that they are works in progress, striving for betterment while embracing their humanity.
The album’s climax, “Only Human,” explores the internal conflict of a man who recognizes his flaws and limitations in a romantic relationship. The lyrics contrast an idealized love and the harsher realities of human imperfection. In the first verse, SiR describes a blissful state with his partner, likened to being between heaven and cloud nine. However, he acknowledges that he cannot remain in this perfect space, as obligations call him back to reality where someone else is missing him.
In the song’s second part, SiR continues to grapple with his shortcomings and their impact on his relationship. The repeated chorus emphasizes the risks of chasing transient emotions at the expense of stability and energy. He admits that facing reality is painful and that staying in one place might prevent healing from past choices. This section of the song suggests a struggle between a desire for personal growth and fear of confronting emotional pain, ultimately recognizing that staying stagnant could be just as risky as pursuing fleeting pleasures.
Heavy is a deeply personal and introspective work that delves into the artist’s struggles with the pressures of fame, substance abuse, and the complexities of love and relationships. The album is a powerful entry point into SiR’s inner world, as he candidly shares his experiences and their emotional toll on him. Throughout the album, SiR grapples with the challenges of celebrity and the weight of expectations that come with it. He explores the dichotomy between his public persona and private struggles behind closed doors, especially on the title track (plus the intro).
In “Six Whole Days,” he depicts a narrative of self-reflection and the consequences of one’s actions. The repeated line “Starin’ at the sun for six whole days” suggests a fixation on something that is ultimately harmful, as looking directly at the sun can lead to blindness. This metaphor describes a situation where someone is aware of their detrimental habits (“blinded by my own foolish ways”) but feels unable to change or look away. The mention of the moon potentially not returning, leading to darkness, hints at fear of losing guidance or hope but ends it positively with “Brighter.”
By sharing his experiences, SiR creates a sense of connection and relatability, that even those who seem to have it all together can face profound challenges and inner turmoil. Through his music, SiR invites listeners to join him on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and the pursuit of personal growth.
Favorite Track(s): “Heavy,” “I’m Not Perfect,” “Only Human”