Maxwell has released a brand new song called “We Never Saw It Coming,” the first offering since his 2016 album, ‘blackSUMMERS’night.

Supported by a thrilling production with an underlying piano sound, the soulful crooner is caught off guard by a life-changing event. “No chance to overcome, I feel them walking,” he sings. “I guess my night has come / Is this real?”

Along with “We Never Saw It Coming,” Maxwell also debuted a stirring short film titled The Glass House. The clip captures Maxwell, his pregnant wife (Yomi Abiola) and young child joining hands as they live their last moments on earth together.

“As artists and storytellers, we have a responsibility to raise our voices to alert and activate people out of complacency,” Maxwell says about the film, which he created with Bush+Renz (Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz). “The Glass House serves as a sobering wake-up call that hopefully, we all have the courage and determination to answer, …before it’s too late.”

In August, the R&B veteran will host a “Black Summer Night For Social Justice” concert, which will shed light on a range of local and national civil rights issues. The concert will include performances by Fantasia, DVSN and Jazmine Sullivan.

Listen to “We Never Saw It Coming” below.

Watch The Glass House below.