Damn, GENA! We just met the new duo — consisting of singer-songwriter Liv.e and producer and drummer Karriem Riggins — as they introduced us to their inviting new sound on their debut single “Circlesz.” That was the first listen we had of their upcoming debut album The Pleasure Is Yours. The twosome is wasting no time in getting us to listen to more, however, as they bring us the set’s second single “HOWWEFLOW.”
The cut is a smooth one based on keys, horns, strings, a slightly off-kilter drum rhythm and a chorus of singers. It adds up to a trippy sound that weaves a thread of hip-hop into the R&B sensibilities we picked up on “Circlesz.” The start-and-stop, well, flow of the song’s rhythm adds to its appeal as it gives Liv.e and Karriem a proper showcase.
Lyrically, they keep things simple. While the chorus of singers sing out “found out that you flow,” Liv.e explains exactly how they flow despite the world questioning your worth. “They always wanna be there for your milestones / They never ask about the quietness / When you float like that,” she sing at one point.
The song’s video, directed by Mackai Sharp, gives us an intriguing vision. We see Liv.e and Karriem as they float and move through an office setting while the workers go ballistic in the background. They’re tossing out papers, ripping them up and letting them litter the space's floor. All the while, GENA is the picture of calm as they flow from room to room in performance setups.
“HOWWEFLOW” is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the music in store on The Pleasure Is Yours. The 16-track set is filled with interesting titles, including a few that seem to be unpronounceable. That’s OK, though, as we’ll get to hear all of them when the set arrives on Friday, February 27th.
Get into the latest from GENA by checking out “HOWWEFLOW” and its video when you press play. Then stick around to see the cover art and tracklist for The Pleasure Is Yours.
GENA The Pleasure Is Yours tracklist:
1. Who’s Got a Problem With Gena
2. Theybetterbegladihavetherapy
3. Left The Club Like ‘Really N***a!’
4. You’ve Outdone Yourself Today
5. Unspokern
6. TGD
7. readymade
8. Douwannabwithastar
9. This Is So Crazy
10. Lead It Up
11. HOWWEFLOW
12. Doobie Doo Wew
13. Circlesz
14. Dream a Twinkle
15. Thatsmyluvr
16. omo iya ati baba
