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Halle Bailey’s love?… or something like it (Deluxe): Vulnerability, Growth, and New Colors.
Approaching Halle Bailey’s debut solo album for the first time, and taking in the full project (including the newly expanded deluxe edition), felt like stepping into a carefully constructed emotional landscape rather than a collection of isolated songs. The experience is cohesive, intimate, and quietly ambitious.
The ethereal, almost cinematic intro immediately sets the tone. Its poetic quality and delicate atmosphere pull you in right away, establishing a sense of vulnerability and wonder that lingers across the record. It’s a strong opening statement that primes the listener for the journey ahead.
“Know About Me” (featuring GloRilla) stands out as a charismatic pivot. The collaboration injects a fresh, bold flavor into Halle’s solo sound. Something more assertive and textured than the softer R&B-leaning moments elsewhere. It expands her musical identity without feeling forced.
“Heaven” is a highlight. The afrobeat-inflected production is captivating and suits Halle’s voice beautifully. There’s a noticeable kinship with the recent sonic direction of her sister Chlöe; whether one influenced the other or both drew from similar wells, the result is positive. The track feels natural and magnetic.
“Back and Forth” carries clear echoes of Destiny’s Child in its melodic phrasing and group-harmony sensibility, a nod that feels both respectful and personal given Halle’s background.
One of the album’s emotional peaks is “So I Can Feel Again” with Chlöe. The sisterly chemistry is undeniable, delivering a dose of nostalgia from their duo days while carrying a more mature, reflective weight. It doesn’t just revisit the past, it evolves it.
“In Your Hands” leans into gospel influences with its soulful delivery and spiritual undertones, adding another layer of depth to the project’s exploration of love and healing.
The collaboration with H.E.R. (“No Warning”) has strong vocal chemistry and solid ideas, but it feels somewhat underutilized. A heavier, more infectious beat could have elevated it further and given the track greater impact within the album’s flow.
“Bite Your Lip” is among the strongest cuts. It carries a mature, melancholic air that showcases Halle’s growth as a songwriter and vocalist, balancing emotional weight with control.
Finally, “Don’t Leave” (from the deluxe) emerges as a true standout. It fits seamlessly into the album’s themes while feeling distinct and memorable. An addition that strengthens the overall project rather than merely extending it.
Visually, the original album cover does a better job of reflecting the project’s musicality. Its warmer, richer tones feel more inviting and aligned with the emotional warmth and intimacy of the songs. The deluxe artwork, by comparison, comes across as more muted and less cozy to the eye. Almost a bit faded in presence, which slightly underplays the heart of the music it represents.
Taken as a complete listening experience, love?… or something like it (Deluxe) reveals Halle Bailey carving out her own space with emotional honesty, refined production choices, and a willingness to blend influences. The first-listen impression is of an artist who is both rooted in her past and confidently stepping forward.
Verdict: 8.0/10
Boyz II Men (Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, and Shawn Stockman) have signed with Warner Records Nashville and will release their debut country album next year.
“We love the genre so much, and at this point in our career we felt like it was the perfect time to dip our toes,” Shawn Stockman said. The group has long admired country’s storytelling and previously collaborated with artists like Cody Johnson and Lady A.
Wanya Morris added: “We don’t want to become country. We want to be a part of it.”
Congratulations to Quinta Brunson on receiving the Groundbreaker Award!
The two-time Emmy Award winner and Critics Choice Award winner is being honored at the 9th Annual Critics Choice Celebration of Black Cinema & Television for creating, executive producing, and starring in ABC’s acclaimed comedy Abbott Elementary.
Through her sharp writing, distinctive voice, and portrayal of the optimistic teacher Janine Teagues, Brunson has crafted one of the most beloved and culturally significant network comedies of recent years. Abbott Elementary [now in its sixth season] has earned widespread critical praise and 37 Emmy nominations to date.
Brunson made history in 2022 as the first solo Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing, and in 2024 she became the first Black actress in more than 40 years to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
This Groundbreaker Award is a well-deserved recognition of her impact both onscreen and behind the camera.
The 9th Annual Critics Choice Celebration of Black Cinema & Television takes place Monday, November 16, 2026, in Los Angeles.
4 Years Ago Today: The World Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
On October 26, 2022, Marvel Studios held the world premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at the El Capitan Theatre and Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The event marked a powerful and emotional return to Wakanda following the untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman.
Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film honored Boseman’s legacy while introducing new characters and expanding the MCU’s narrative in meaningful ways. Attended by the cast including Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, and Tenoch Huerta, the premiere set the stage for the film’s theatrical release on November 11, 2022.
Four years later, Wakanda Forever remains a standout entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only for its box office success and critical acclaim, but for the cultural impact and emotional depth it delivered.
Wakanda Forever. 🖤
Alicia Keys appears on the November 2026 cover of Vogue Italia, photographed by Szilveszter Makó, in a thoughtful conversation that also includes her husband and longtime collaborator Swizz Beatz.
The most notable update is the imminent release of Lovers Rose, their first full collaborative album and Keys’ first studio project in five years. The seven-track record blends African-American R&B with Chicano soul, Latin musical traditions, and the cultural atmosphere of classic lowrider cars. Keys describes it as carrying a sense of peace and warmth rather than a typical New York edge. An invitation to “let the nervous system breathe” and step away from everyday chaos.Vogue
The interview also deepens the portrait of their 16-year marriage, which began with a high-school introduction in 1990s New York (she initially declined to give him her number). Swizz compares their dynamic to Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” emphasizing that they have never raised their voices with each other and instead discuss differences calmly as adults. An approach they are proud to model for their two children.
Keys returns to a core personal philosophy: she always leaves room for magic, because being overly specific about desires risks missing the best part of what life can offer. Her real gift, she suggests, is the ability to turn dreams into something tangible.
Overall, the piece presents Alicia Keys as both an enduring artist and a deliberate partner, focused on light, presence, and shared humanity.
Check it out:
vogue.it/article/intervista-…
Zoe Saldaña on the extra burden placed on actors of color.
At the Locarno Film Festival, Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldaña spoke candidly about a recurring frustration in industry conversations:
“One thing that’s incredibly limiting, limiting for me and frustrating is when I’m the only person of color or the only woman on stage, and that happens quite a lot for women and for people of color, and I wait for my turn to be asked a question about my craft, and I’m asked the political question: ‘What do you think we need to do to make films more inclusive?’ I’m sorry, you don’t ask the only person that comes from a marginalized community. You ask the other 80 of them that are part of the gatekeepers, and you ask them if they know the answer.
We’re making people of color and communities of color work double to be in a room. I think that the person, the people that are entitled to be in the room based on their race and gender should be the ones to answer these hard questions because you’re the ones that are knowing what is keeping us and the rest of us from being in those rooms based on our, on our skills and our abilities.”
Her observation highlights a structural pattern: the people who have the least decision-making power are routinely asked to explain and solve systemic issues of access and representation, while the actual gatekeepers are often spared the same scrutiny. This dynamic not only limits the conversation about craft but also imposes additional emotional and professional labor on those already navigating underrepresentation.
Meaningful progress on inclusion requires shifting the questions, and the accountability to the rooms and individuals who control greenlights, financing, and hiring. When that happens, the focus can return to the work itself.
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Beyoncé speaks on the most rewarding part of building Cécred:
“My mother and I poured decades of experience, tradition, and love into Cécred, so seeing our community grow across every ethnicity, texture, generation, and gender is so fulfilling. In the beginning, it took some conditioning from the world’s perception of how to launch a brand founded by someone like me. I’m the founder, visionary, and sole investor—not the face or model for this brand. I had a vision to build something that solved real problems and performed so incredibly that the people who can’t stand my music still use Cécred, haaaa! … because it works”
Beyoncé speaks on the most rewarding part of building Cécred:
“My mother and I poured decades of experience, tradition, and love into Cécred, so seeing our community grow across every ethnicity, texture, generation, and gender is so fulfilling. In the beginning, it took some conditioning from the world’s perception of how to launch a brand founded by someone like me. I’m the founder, visionary, and sole investor—not the face or model for this brand. I had a vision to build something that solved real problems and performed so incredibly that the people who can’t stand my music still use Cécred, haaaa! … because it works”
Check it out:
i-d.co/article/beyonce-cecre…
