We all love a good party-starter or bedroom banger, but we also love when music gets contemplative. Khamari has become a favorite when we want romantic R&B with a bit more thought behind it. The singer-songwriter is currently setting us up for his upcoming sophomore album. He began with the moody lead single “Head In A Jar,” and he’s now building on it with the release of his follow-up song “Sycamore Tree.”
The cut is a perfect companion to “Head In A Jar” as it follows the theme of pining for someone when you’re not quite sure of how they feel. However, where that song deals with an unrequited love experienced from the outside looking in, “Sycamore Tree” finds Khamari ready to put his heart out there and find out if the longing he feels is returned.
He sings poetically of the feelings growing like seeds inside of him on the verses, mentioning that he talks to his love every day. However, he wonders if he should hang back or get confirmation that they might feel the same way. “Sycamore tree / Your branches hang over me / So hauntingly / So hauntingly,” he sings on the chorus. “Should I stay or should I leave / From under the sycamore tree / Under the sycamore tree.”
Those listening to the song might notice a familiar musical motif happening. That’s because Khamari’s go-to producer Trackside, alongside co-producers Slimwav, Matt Spatola and Khamari himself, interpolate a bit of the warmth of D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” into the mix. That, along with guitar, horns and the slow, intentional kick and snare bring us into the singer’s story and invite us to stay and listen for a while.
Khamari hasn’t provided much detail about his sophomore album, but it’s rumored to be arriving at some point this summer. While we wait to hear more about what we can expect, stream “Sycamore Tree” and watch its visualizer below.
