Rising R&B sensation Destin Conrad takes a detour into jazz with his new album, wHIMSY,out via EMPIRE.
The experimental jazz project includes contributions from Terrace Martin, James Fauntleroy, Keyon Harrold, Vanisha Gould, Ambré, Louie Lastic, Mack Keane, Austin Brown, Astyn Turr and more.
“wHIMSY is an off the cuff, free idea, that is my passion project,” shares Conrad. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do—from my years in the Jazz Choir during high school to now, having the opportunity to release this project and reinventing what Jazz means to me now.”
The 11-track set works best when played in sequence, allowing listeners to be swept away into Conrad’s whimsical world of jazz as he interprets it. Some of the standouts include “drifting,” “A Lonely Detective” and “wASH U AWAY.”
The latter underscores a lover’s magnetic pull and Conrad’s desire to savor every trace of their intimacy. “I left your crib this morning and I smell you on my neck,” he sings.
Speaking on the romantic tune, Conrad exclusively tells Rated R&B, “‘wASH U AWAY’ was the first song I made before I even knew I was going to make a Jazz album. It’s about enjoying being around someone so much that you don’t even want to think about forgetting them, down to the way they smell.”
wHIMSYarrives four months after Conrad released his debut album,Love on Digital, in April. The album features collaborations with Kehlani, Lil Nas X, Teezo Touchdown, serpentwithfeet and Cari.
“This album is a nod to the digital age of R&B,” Conrad said of Love on Digital. “The early 2000s, when new software was created that allowed for music to move from fully instrumental to digital sounds — the bee bee boops.”
On Sept. 13, Conrad will launch his Love on Digital Tour in Denver. Mack Keane will join him as a special guest. The North American leg wraps up Nov. 14 in Los Angeles. In December, Cari will join Conrad for his European/U.K. leg.
Stream Destin Conrad’s new album wHIMSY below.