Zyah Belle‘s new project Are You Still Listening? begins with her lashing out at an unfaithful lover on the era-launching single “Lyin.”
After hurling lines like “Yo mama still wishin’ I had yo ugly kids,” she cools herself down at the end with a pep-talk. “Zyah, uh-uh. What’s this I’m hearing you still stuck on ole boy? You need to get over it,” she tells herself. “Stand up. Take a deep breath. Get from crying off that wall. You deserve better.”
It essentially sets up the theme for the rest of the project, where she embarks on a soul-searching journey of growth and healing. “Are You Still Listening? is me asking: Am I still listening to my mind, my body, my heart, my spirit? To my community?” Belle explains. “It’s a space to stretch, to experiment, to show up fully… sexy, confident, and sure of myself.”
The Seph-produced “Deserve” is a self-empowering anthem where she allows herself to embrace her greatness without shame. “I deserve to look this good / I deserve to look this fly / I deserve to talk my shit,” she sings in chorus.
“About Time” with Ben Reilly pulses with flirtation as she shoots her shot at a crush she sees at a party. Meanwhile, the slow-burning “Automatic,” featuring Dende, is a passionate number about an effortless love.
Jane Handcock, who appears twice on the EP, is featured on the smooth gem “Diamonds,” where they serenade their respective partner as their crown jewel: “Baby, you shine like diamonds.”
Are You Still Listening includes additional collaborations with Brik.Liam and Rexx Life Raj. The project follows Belle’s debut album, Yam Grier, released in 2022.
Before that, she released her EP Who’s Listening Anyway? in 2021. It included the popular track “I Think I Love You” with ROMderful.
Stream Zyah Belle’s new EP Are You Still Listening? below.
