Grammy-nominated R&B vet Mario has released his new EP Mood Swings via New Citizen/EMPIRE.
The eight-track offering, executive produced by Dre Moon (Beyoncé, Chris Brown, The Weeknd), includes the singles “Nobody But Us” and “Home.” It also features a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign, who appeared on his 2023 track “Used To Me.”
In Mood Swings, Mario navigates a rollercoaster of emotions sparked by love. The opening title track, co-produced by Dre Moon and D. Phelps (Leon Thomas, Givēon), captures the thrill of a fleeting romance. “So I know we on the same page / You can have my heart / But don’t expect for me to say,” he croons.
Meanwhile, the subsequent track, “Home,” yearns to get back to his lover. The euphoria-inducing “Moan” finds Mario fully committed to having his woman sing sweet melodies in the bedroom: “Whenever you talk to me, I listen, but / Tonight I wanna hear you different / Focus on your tone / While I’m in it / Tonight I don’t wanna hear you bitchin’ / I just wanna hear you moan.”
“Friends,” which features a verse from Ty Dolla $ign, explores the grey area of a brewing romance that’s mislabeled as platonic. Here, Mario struggles with the idea of being friends with a woman that he’s attracted to physically and emotionally. “Is it lust or love, girl? Let’s find out / ‘Cause I don’t wanna be confused,” he sings.
“Still In Love,” the EP’s most vulnerable track, is a poignant ballad that confesses lingering feelings following a breakup. Although he’s tried to move on from the relationship, he can’t ignore what his heart feels. “You’re the air I need to breathe,” Mario sings, giving a slight nod to his classic “How Do I Breathe.” Mario closes with the lead single, “Nobody But Us,” where he reaffirms his commitment to his lover.
Mood Swings is the follow-up to Glad You Came, which dropped in December 2024 via Epic Records. “The album’s title, Glad You Came, represents a full compass for me when it comes to bringing everything back to the center,” Mario explained to Rated R&B in an interview. “That’s my love for music, my journey [and] my connection with my fans. [I am] reintroducing them to this new era of Mario and celebrating this era, journey and R&B. It is an invitation.”
On Thursday (Nov. 13), Mario kicked off his headlining Nothing But Us Tour in Richmond. The “Let Me Love You” singer will make additional stops in New York, Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, Houston and more before concluding Dec. 9 in Los Angeles.
Stream Mario’s new EP Mood Swings below.
