GIVĒON Returns with Beloved: A Soulful Sophomore Masterpiece
- Stephen Wick
- 2 days ago
- 11 min read
By Angela Iz | July 11, 2025
After a three-year hiatus, seven-time GRAMMY-nominated R&B sensation GIVĒON has made his grand return with his highly anticipated sophomore album, Beloved. The 14-track project, executive-produced by Sevn Thomas, is a lush, orchestral journey through love, loss, and self-discovery—anchored by GIVĒON’s signature velvety baritone.
Beloved is brimming with a blend of contemporary and classic heartbreak, drawing inspiration from seventies soul while exploring very modern themes of dating — predominantly the lows, which is why I’m eager to understand what went awry.
Fans have already been treated to standout singles like “Twenties”—a melancholic reflection on fleeting love—and the bass-heavy “Rather Be”, both of which have garnered critical acclaim. Now, with the full album out, GIVĒON solidifies his place as one of R&B’s most compelling storytellers.
"Music is a diary. Sometimes people make music as if no one’s going to hear it, as if they can just be completely honest. Things are a lot more acceptable said in a song than it would be in person. Art excuses a lot of things."
Since his last full-length project, Give or Take (2022), GIVĒON has been refining his craft, and Beloved proves it was worth the wait. Rolling Stone awarded the album a rare 4-star review, praising its "rich, authentic sound" that channel influences from Al Green, Philly soul, and Blaxploitation soundtracks.
In a statement, GIVĒON shared:
“Beloved is a complete encapsulation of the very transformative growth I experienced over the past three years. My trials and tribulations, the good and the bad, all helped form this album. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed creating it.”
“Twenties” – A haunting ballad about love’s expiration, which became his fourth Billboard Hot 100 hit and earned a show-stopping performance at Prada’s pre-Met Gala event. Produced by Sevn Thomas & Maneesh and written by GIVĒON, Sevn Thomas, Maneesh, Sarah Aarons & Keith Lawson.
Verse 2.....How was I supposed to know / This is how it's gonna go? / Thought that if I put you first enough / We would last for sure, last for sure (For sure) / Remember our first kiss, was in a rental car / Now I kinda wish it was a hit and run / Crazy I let it get this far / But I was just young and dumb
.....Thought I was learning myself / I was just learning you / Is anything black and white / When you're barely twenty-two? / Clung onto you like a shirt to a sweater / Hung onto you 'cause I didn't know better / I just felt like time was runnin' out / I could tell the ship was goin' down / I was so young and dumb
“If I'm making a song about how my heart was broken, I'm going to make a song about how my heart was broken the way I want to make it. Either you like it and enjoy it, or you just move on.”
“Rather Be” – Named one of Esquire’s Best Songs of 2025, this track blends deep basslines with GIVĒON’s introspective lyricism. Producers include Matthew Burnett, Sevn Thomas, Jahaan Sweet, Maneesh & Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman and written by written by GIVĒON, Ari PenSmith, Keith Lawson, Jahaan Sweet, Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman, Maneesh, Marcus Semaj, Matthew Burnett & Sevn Thomas.
Verse 2.....Now I'm in this room / Wishin' you would settle down or come around / I've been dancin' to all the songs that you love, all alone / Lost in the dark / 'Cause you stole the sun, oh-oh / Oh, tears are formin' / When I see your facе in my phone, I can't erase thе memory / Countin' all the ways she ain't right for me / I'll take your mistakes over missin' you, always (Ooh) / Am I out of place? I'm here when I'm supposed to leave / Oh, I'm tellin' you
[Chorus] .....Rather be a fool / Than believe in someone new / I'd rather be with you / Than the other half of someone who is not even half of you
Chatting with Billboard, GIVĒON recounts,
My approach to writing is, it’s either going to be a personal story about me and what I’ve personally been through, or it’s going to be inspired by a friend. This particular one (Referring to his past releases like, "Heartbreak Anniversary", Take Time and others), was inspired by a mistake that a friend made [rather] than a specific mistake. As far as overall mistakes [for me], there have been mistakes that I’ve made in relationships, but it would be more so like, “I wish I communicated this better,” or maybe even like a little white lie. Nothing detrimental, but probably a simple white lie that drove a wrench to the relationship that didn’t have to be told in the first place."
“I Can Tell” – The latest single, accompanied by a mesmerizing new music video, further cements his ability to turn heartbreak into high art. The song tells the story of a narrator who is really drawn to someone stuck in a bad relationship. With keen insight and intuition, they’ve figured out that she’s unhappy and secretly yearning for something better.
Feeling sure of their ability to understand, support, and bond with her, they’re pushing her to break up with her current partner ("him") and choose them instead ("pick a side"). It’s a mix of seduction, keen observation, and a bold offer based on the belief that there’s a deeper, unspoken connection. The narrator believes they are the perfect answer to her emotional struggles.
Verse 2....I'll admit it, I′m a bit impatient, if you let me, I'ma take his place, yeah / A message written on your face, yeah, yeah / Tell me where you're goin′ / Tell me, is it his or mine? Tell me when you pick a side / Got a funny way of knowin′ how to keep you on my mind
Pre-chorus....I can see it in your eyes that you don't know me now / But I can see the truth, girl / I see me and you, girl, oh
Chorus.... (I can tell) / Never had nobody talk you through it like I talk you through it, uh / (I can tell) / Everything he taught you, it ain′t nothin' to me, I can prove it, uh / (I can tell) / That he don′t wanna let you go, that you don't wanna let him know / Your heart ain′t really in it, girl / (I can tell) / Never had nobody talk you through it like I talk you through it, uh / (I can tell) / Everything he taught you, it ain't nothin' to me, I can prove it, uh / (I can tell) That he don′t wanna let you go, that you don′t wanna let him know / Your heart ain't really in it lately, oh, baby, I can tell
In an interview with Spin, Giveon talks about how he's grown as a songwriter,
“I think what makes a good lyricist is knowing how to really paint the nuances of everyday situations, and just knowing what words to say that’ll feel like conversation or just feel real, like, someone who knows how to portray just the natural motion of what’s actually happening, even if it’s not the grandest thing.”
"KEEPER" was crafted by Jahaan Sweet, Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman, Matthew Burnett, and Sevn Thomas. GIVĒON dropped "KEEPER" on July 11, 2025. The writing credits for "KEEPER" include GIVĒON, Jahaan Sweet, James Essien, Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman, Matthew Burnett, and Sevn Thomas.
The song is a sincere confession from a man with many flaws, stuck in a loop of regret and desire. He admits to his faults and his true self ('I can't be what I'm not'), yet he's completely overwhelmed by his longing for this one person. Her memory lingers in his mind, and she symbolizes his only hope for redemption and transformation.
His urgency comes from a desire to escape their unhealthy cycle of breaking up and getting back together ('coming back around') and to become the reliable, chosen partner ('the one that you keep') he thinks her love could help him achieve.
Verse 1.... Talkin' through your mom again / Put this pride aside again / I don't even know what time it is / Is it even worth a try? Tell me, and I / Couple things I can't defend, mm / I'm just tryna clean my hands of all that I've done / Goin' green every time I send, don't it? / This type of night, I need you right here
Pre-Chorus.....It's gettin' hard for me to say / The thoughts of me in your apartment lingers / Gettin' harder to replace you / Can't forget the way that I remember / Ooh, the way your lips / Reminiscin' about their tendernеss / When my days turn to night / I get to missin' you, oh
Chorus.....I'm tellin' you, baby / I can't bе what I'm not, but you gon' be the one to change me / I know that I'm enough, but I'm just tryna be the one that you keep / Not just the one who comes back around and drives you crazy / I swear, back around again
Verse 2.....Most nights had truth in it, break curfew like a kid / I dry my fingertips, every time I lift your chin, no / I'm trying to defend myself, all the times I was a man, mm / The cryin' breaks the win, ooh, and this the night I need you here, hey, hey
It's a track about emotional baggage, battling self-esteem in a relationship, and the painful, almost addictive cycle of trying and failing to improve for someone you can't let go of. The final cry, 'I just wanna be more,' sums up his desire to rise above his current situation and the harmful pattern.
In an interview with DJ Booth, Gevion shared,
"I get my music taste from my mom. She listened to a lot of black women R&B: Old school Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, and stuff like that. So that’s where my love of R&B comes from. I don’t know if that’s a Long Beach thing. I don’t listen to a lot of R&B outside of my work in the studio. As far as being affected by Long Beach, that’s the stuff I’m listening to in my free time. I have this thing where I don’t want to be put into a category. You wouldn’t be able to tell I’m from Long Beach-based on my music. You’ll be able to tell when you meet me. But it doesn’t show up too much in my music."
"BLEEDING" was produced by Jasper Harris, Cashmere Cat, Sevn Thomas, Rowan, and Tommy Parker, GIVĒON dropped "BLEEDING" on July 11, 2025. The song was penned by GIVĒON, Ari PenSmith, Carlos Martins, Jasper Harris, Cashmere Cat, Keith Lawson, and Tommy Parker.
The song tells the story of a guy stuck in a cycle of loving someone who just can't be there for him emotionally. He watches the woman he cares about struggle with the aftermath of a toxic relationship, still holding on to her ex. Even though he knows that his efforts to help her are just short-term solutions and that he's getting hurt in the process ("bleeding"), he feels like he can't do anything to change it.
Intro...Bleedin' for your love / Yes, I'm bleedin' for your love / Yes, I'm bleedin' for your love, yes, I am, no
Verse 1.... Told you before, but it's twice as hard to let you know, mm, yeah (Mm) / I held you close, now I'm feelin' way too vulnerable, oh / He loves you sometimes, he was conflicted / I can see it in your eyes how you still attached / His apologies will never last, I'll bet him that / Now I'm damaged all because I'm—
Pre-Chorus.....Steppin' over pieces, broken hearts on the floor / Cut my skin, tryna make you whole again
Chorus......So I'm bleedin' for your love / Bleedin' for your love / I'm bleedin' for your lovе, yes, I am, no / Yes, I'm bleedin' for your love / I'm bleedin' for your lovе / I'm bleedin' for your love, yes, I am, no
Verse 2....If you hate him, why'd you keep the ring? (Yeah, yeah) / Tell me, what am I supposed to think? (Yeah) / You throwin' stones, only bring him fame / Do the feelings still remain, my love? / I understand how to put you back together / Truth is, it's temporary, that don't make it better / Hear me shatter from a mile away
His love turns into a painful sacrifice of his own emotional health, fueled by a desperate wish to be the one who finally makes her feel complete, even while he realizes how pointless it is and the toll it takes on him. It's a raw portrayal of the pain that comes from loving someone who's still tied to someone else.
In an interview with People magazine, he opens up
"I just have more understanding of who I am and just what I like and what moves me more, Isave a lot of time now. I just don't spend time doing stuff that I know doesn't serve me or doesn't work for me."
TRACKLIST:
1. MUD
2. RATHER BE
3. TWENTIES
4. STRANGERS
5. NUMB
6. I CAN TELL
7. DIAMONDS FOR YOUR PAIN (INTERLUDE)
8. KEEPER
9. SIX THIRTY
10. BACKUP PLAN
11. BLEEDING
12. DON’T LEAVE
13. AVALANCHE
14. GOOD BAD UGLY
With contributions from Jahaan Sweet, Maneesh, and Sevn Thomas, "Beloved" is a work of art. With BET Award nominations (for his collab with Teddy Swims, “Are U Even Real?”) and a rapidly growing fanbase, GIVĒON is poised for an even bigger 2025.
What’s your favorite track on Beloved? Let us know in the comments! 🔥 Giveon BelovedAlbum RBIsBack
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