Emerging singer Dende has returned with his new album, ’95 Civic, the follow-up to his EP, Before We Crash, released in January.
Where Before We Crash is filled with devotional tunes, ’95 Civic is steeped in heartbreak and longing. The 12-track project chronicles Dende’s emotional journey as he navigates the aftermath of a complicated breakup.
Dende opens ’95 Civic with “I Wrote You A Song,” an acoustic number that hears him coming to terms with the end of a relationship. He cherishes the time they spent together, and as much as it hurts him, he knows his ex-lover is better off without him.
Tracks like “Block Me” and “Nightmares” explore the denial stage of a breakup, where Dende has difficulty accepting that the relationship is over. “I Can’t Believe I Called This Woman At Work,” a minute-long interlude, effectively captures his mixed feelings via a voicemail rant.
Toward the album’s end, Dende shows clear signs that he’s finally ready to move on and welcome a new love.
On “Perspective,” he acknowledges his heart isn’t fully healed, but he is optimistic that the next person will help fill him up again. “My cup’s half empty, come fill me up / Your cup’s half full / Hope I’m enough,” he croons.
“Releasing ’95 Civic feels like the last thing I needed to do to move on to the next phase of my life,” says Dende. “Although it’s a sad project, the time it allowed me to spend with A&R Mizz and producer Billy Blunt is something I will never forget. This is our best work yet.”
This week, Dende will perform four shows at SXSW in Austin, Texas, including R&B Forever on March 17, powered by Pandora and the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective. The DJ Ella Ella-hosted show will feature additional performances by Kenyon Dixon, Jade Novah, Byron Juane and others.
Stream Dende’s new album ’95 Civic below.
