Kehlani brings back yearning in their newest single “Folded.” Their first solo release since their mixtape While We Wait 2, which dropped last September, this track is all about wishing things were different with an ex-lover. The GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter leans back into R&B, delivering riffs and runs, emotional lyrics and soulful melodies on “Folded.”
Kehlani has been teasing the track produced by Khris Riddick-Tynes, Andre Harris, Donovan Knight and Don Mills on social media over the past two weeks. The catchy post-chorus went viral and even had fans dancing to it on TikTok.
“I'll let your body decide if this is good enough for you / Already folding it for you / Already folding up for you,” Kehlani sings.
One of the most notable aspects of the song is the metaphorical songwriting. Kehlani uses the clothes their ex left behind and the act of folding them up to remind them how much they still care. This is Kehlani, though, so of course there’s a double meaning at certain points in the song with a sexual connotation, too.
Lyrics like, “I know it’s getting cold out, but it’s not frozen,” and, “I don’t need roses / Just need some flowers from my garden / Can’t you go back to how you loved on me when you started?,” aren’t just poetic, they truly capture the theme of longing.
Sonically, the strings and the guitar loop under the beat complement Kehlani’s voice perfectly. As always, the Oakland native brings smooth, captivating vocals and layered backgrounds that sound heaven-sent.
A standout moment comes on the second hook. Kehlani makes a few changes to make this one different from the first with new riffs and runs, changes in rhythm and even holding out some notes longer than others. They even flirt with a key change as they shift tones on the lyrics, “Meet me at my door while it’s still open.”
“Folded” is a reminder that Kehlani’s heart and soul is R&B. They love it there and so do fans because Kehlani delivers every time.
- Advertisement -Are you ready to get “Folded”? Stream Kehlani’s new single and watch them make the cover art come to life and serve sexiness from the backseat of a limo in the official visualizer below.
