Tamar Braxton is back. The Grammy-nominated singer has released her new EP, Heartbreak Retrograde, via Platform Sounds.
Titled after Braxton’s self-released movie, Heartbreak Retrograde includes the lead single “You On You,” which peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart.
Produced by Tricky Stewart, the six-track offering takes listeners through the highs and lows of romance. Opening with “4am,” which is anchored by a sultry bass, Braxton sings of a late-night tryst. “Pull up when you want it / Park down the block, you can sneak in the back door,” she coos in the first verse.
On “Letter to a Leo,” Braxton bids farewell to a relationship that’s in its final days. “I’ll take the high road / ‘Cause you and I know / Really ain’t worth the fight,” she sings. Yet, the vulnerable “Love Me” reconsiders that breakup, with Braxton confessing: “I messed up / But I’ve grown / Baby, in your arms is where I belong.”
Closing with the forlorn “Safer,” Braxton reflects on the comfort and safety she once felt being by his side. “I surrender, baby take me in,” she pleads.
As indicated above, the EP is the soundtrack to Braxton’sHeartbreak Retrograde: The Movie, which premiered Oct. 31 on her YouTube channel.
The 45-minute film features dramatic scenes and candid conversations, interspersed with music videos, that enhance the themes explored on the EP. The movie includes cameos from her mother Evelyn Braxton, her ex-husband, Vincent Herbert, Mendeecees Harris, Julian Horton and Lore’l.
Heartbreak Retrogradeis Braxton’s first project since her 2017 album,Bluebird of Happiness. Since then, the “Love & War” singer has released standalone singles, including “Crazy Kind of Love,” “Changed,” “You Bring The Love” and “Notice Me.”
In 2024, she teamed with Eric Benét for a duet, “Something We Can Make Love To,” which hit No. 1 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart. Braxton also joined Tyrese on “Neither One of Us” from his album Beautiful Pain.
Stream Tamar Braxton’s new EPHeartbreak Retrogradeand watch the accompanying movie below.