British R&B veteran Craig David has returned with his ninth album, Commitment, via Believe UK.
The 13-track album was preceded by the singles “In Your Hands,” “SOS,” “Commitment” featuring Tiwa Savage, “Wake Up,” “In It With You” featuring JoJo and “Rain.”
The latter track, released Aug. 4, was co-written by David, Talay Riley and its producer Tre Jean-Marie. On the downcast ballad, David is caught in a storm of heartbreak as he comes to terms with a failed relationship. “As soon as we go our separate ways / Blue skies turn grey / Now all I see on my window pane is rain,” he croons.
On Commitment, David takes listeners on a genre-bending odyssey through love and life’s winding paths. “This album has been an incredible journey & full of magical experiences from beginning to end,” David shared in a social media post.
The Louisa Johnson-assisted “Leave The Light On” is a silky pop groove made for packed dancefloors. Lyrically, the song gauges whether a potential partner can return the same love — especially during challenging times: “Will you leave the light on for me? / Will you stay for the night if I need? / Be my ride or die through the lows and highs.”
On the sentimental ballad “Dominoes,” David lets down his guard and allows himself to free-fall in love. “Standing so close to you / We play so carefully / But when we’re falling together / We fall so beautifully.”
Commitment arrives right in time for the 25th anniversary of David’s breakout debut album, Born to Do It, released Aug. 14, 2000. The classic project included his Grammy-nominated singles “7 Days” and “Fill Me In.”
In an interview with Rolling Stone Australia, David discussed the connection between Commitment and Born to Do It.
“Second and third albums, for me, I felt were like were kind of more the pressure albums, because especially off the back of Born to Do It having success, you’re just a little bit behind the eight ball and a bit like you’re looking at the environment and you’re trying to work out where do you sit in the mix of it. [With Commitment] I’m not trying to preach or push anything on anyone… I just feel like I’m back in that bag again, man,” he said.
Commitment follows David’s 2022 album, 22. The project included the singles “DNA” featuring Galantis, “Who You Are” featuring MNEK and “G Love” featuring Nippa, among others.
22 was later reissued with a deluxe edition, also featured collaborations with Muni Long (“Obvious”), Duvall (“My Heart’s Been Waiting for You,” Wretch 32 (“What More Could I Ask For?”), KYLE (“Already Know”), Carmen Reece (“Yes”), GRACEY (“Back to Basics”) and Isong (“21”).
Stream Craig David’s new album Commitment below.
