Miguel might have teased an upcoming full-length project (tentatively titled Viscera) for release this year, but he seems to be content with just releasing singles at the moment. Late last year, he dropped the sexy “Give It To Me” and the trippy “Number 9.” Now he’s getting quite vulnerable with his latest single “Always Time.”
The track finds the singer-songwriter dealing with heartbreak in its rawest form. With simple-yet-searing production by himself, Jeff Bhasker and Dave Sitek, he delves into a love whose flame extinguished before he realized it was dying. The song’s production is mostly drum-less, instead relying on guitar, distorted vocals and an eventual infusion of orchestral strings to be the foundation. Its bare-bones composition is enough for Miguel to tap into the emotion of the lyrics as he delivers an aching vocal performance.
“Broken glass, piercing words / It change so fast, yeah, it hurts,” he sings on the opening verse. “Rocky past, lessons learned / Don’t say it’s too late, I thought there was always time.” He goes on to elaborate on the song’s chorus, speaking to the struggle of this particular romance, coming to the realization that maybe the right decision is to let go of the love he’s been fighting for.
He also keeps it simple with the song’s self-directed video. He appears in silhouette, his profile stark against a blood red background, as he sings the pained lyrics. As the clip progresses, it’s impossible to not notice the wetness of his tears welling under his eyes as he continues to lay his heart bare.
“This may be the most difficult song I’ve ever had to write – for all of the life lessons and experiences that live between each line,” Miguel said in a press release. “I’m grateful for the closure it has given me and know it’s the most honest way to begin this chapter of my artistry and relationship with my audience.”
We’ve come to expect a certain level of emotional honesty from Miguel, but “Always Time” takes that to a whole new level. And it may just be the perfect way to usher in a new phase in his career. Allow him to take you on an emotional journey when you listen to “Always Time” and watch its video below.
