Syd has revealed her third solo album, Beard, will release July 17 via Free Lunch/Warner Records.
The 12-track LP, co-produced by Syd, features contributions from Rodney Jerkins, Raphael Saadiq, James Fauntleroy, Big Sean, Van Hunt and Jordan Ward. The project is described as a “coming-of-age album” that chronicles her artistic and personal evolution.
Speaking on the meaning behind Beard, Syd said, “It’s a snapshot of what my life looks like right now. The title was inspired by the peach fuzz on my upper lip that society has always taught me to hate. I fell in love with my peach fuzz and it made me rethink everything that was supposed to make me feel insecure. It allowed me to take my confidence into my own hands, and own everything that I am and everything I love about myself, regardless of what anyone else thinks.”
She continued, “The title also represents the way I see myself in relation to my peers, especially in music. ‘The bearded lady.’ Not so much a spectacle in my case, but an anomaly and an outlier. Hard to compare. I’m owning that too. Taking things that were once insecurities and flipping them on their head has been extremely empowering.”
Beard will include 2025’s “GMFU” and the latest single, “Callin” featuring Blu June, one-half of the production and songwriting duo Nova Wav (Beyoncé, Rihanna, Jazmine Sullivan).
On the latter track, Syd blankets her soft voice over a nostalgic production created alongside Nova Wav to make a soulful plea for a love interest to open up their line for her. “I know you got my messages cuz they ain’t turnin’ green.” June holds down the hook, singing, “I’m callin’ 911 / Cuz I need your love / I’m callin’ / And you ain’t pickin’ up / I’m coming for your love.”
Beard will follow 2022’s Broken Hearts Club, released via Columbia Records. The album included the singles “Fast” Car” and “CYBAH” featuring Lucky Daye, as well as the gems “Out Loud” featuring Kehlani and “Getting Late.”
“The album is about a relationship I had that ended in my first real broken heart,” Syd said of Broken Hearts Club. “It almost felt like I joined a club because all of my friends went through similar experiences.”
The Internet’s frontwoman supported her second project on her Broken Hearts Club Tour — and she will be doing the same for Beard. The first leg of The Beard Tour will kick off Aug. 29 at All Points East in London. She will play shows across the U.K. and Europe, including in Manchester, Glasgow and Paris, before wrapping up Sept. 6 at Amager Bio in Denmark.
Syd’s Beard Tour Dates (U.K./Europe)
Aug 29 – London, UK @ All Points East
Aug 31 – Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall
Sep 1 – London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
Sep 3 – Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 Galvanizers
Sep 5 – Paris, FR @ La Cigale
Sep 6 – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique
Sep 7 – Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg
Sep 9 – Copenhagen, DK @ Amager Bio
Get tickets at syd.world.
