Skylar Grey’s latest single ‘Dark Thoughts’ once establishes that the singer has a knack for tackling difficult, moody affairs.

The music industry is already saturated with artists that belt out loud, energetic and overwhelmingly positive songs — which has its own advantages, of course — but someone like Skylar is very needed to balance out those emotions. Some artists thrive best when they dig deep into those darkest impulses. Skylar Grey has been a solid supporting act in a number of hip-hop features including some chart-topping tunes from Eminem and Dr. Dre, but she’s always just too talented to not get her own break. 

Thankfully, her latest number is just the right concoction of sexy, sullen, and mysterious to get fans raving about her all over again. The song itself is called ‘Dark Thoughts’ but the actual composition is far from being slow or morose. Instead, it incorporates some suave R&B vibes into the proceedings as Skylar delves into her innermost thoughts. Skylar has an incredible voice but she keeps things light and low-pitched here for the most part. There is a pulsating beat in the background that keeps the rhythm flowing smoothly, whereas the dragging chords on the piano lend some eerie vibes. 

Just after the second chorus, the song goes into a more intense shift. Skylar runs her vocal riffs smooth and capable, and listeners will find that this bit is undeniably the most catchy section. Yet the tempo simmers down very soon as Skylar goes back to singing about her dark thoughts and how they need to be locked up for good. 

Addressing these dark thoughts and how they affect her and everyone around her hints at an increased level of maturity from the young singer. We’re already used to seeing artists rave about being positive and love themselves but it’s another thing entirely to own up to your moral misgivings. 

Skylar Grey hasn’t released a solo album since 2016, so fans will be hoping that this is the year. However, no confirmation to that end has been provided. Yet it doesn’t mean you can’t savour her latest effort, because it’s well worth your time. 

 R&B 

Author: Shaoni Das

Shaoni Das is a writer/editor currently based in Edmonton, Canada. She remains eager to inspect how the changing culture of music impacts upon the greater world.