If you’re yet to hear of Peyton and sultry R&B songs are right up your street, then you’re in luck as I’ve found your new favorite star! After releasing projects Peace in the Midst of a Storm and Roller Coaster, the Houston singer is here to deliver her debut album, PSA, just in time for the summer season. The overall themes of the songs are filled with self-love and confidence, something we can never have too much of in life.
From the jump, listeners are blessed with Peyton’s soothing vocals layered over a melodic beat on the album’s perfect opener, “What Did I Do.” The song’s composition can be compared to some of Solange’s strongest work in recent years while still having its own identity. Next up, Peyton showcases her versatility by teaming up with rapper Brice Blanco on the Timbaland-influenced “Let It Flow.” While supplying the dreamy, angelic tone to her voice, Peyton confidently sings about moving on and following her gut instinct on the empowering bop. As the album continues with tracks like “Ppl Say,” “It’s Been So Long,” and “Perfect Peach,” Peyton proves further as to why she deserves to be pushed to the forefront and join the likes of SZA, Jhené Aiko, and Chloe x Halle, as one of music’s leading ladies in R&B. At the age of 5, Peyton began learning to play the violin and shows off her skills effortlessly in the video for her single “Don’t U Wanna Fly.”
In an online Q&A, EUPHORIA. learned more about Peyton’s creative process and what influenced her album.
When did the creative process for this album start?
I began working on “Ppl Say” and “It’s Been So Long” in 2018. From there I continued to make songs throughout the years that I felt fit with the underlying powerful energy these songs possessed.
How did the collaborations with Brice Blanco and Ian McGilber come about?
Brice and I have known each other since 2015 and had been wanting to get a song together. When I created “Let It Flow,” I just knew he would tie it all together. Ian McGilber is a friend that I have been collaborating with for three years now. One day we were having a jam session and “Big Flexer” just came about so naturally.
What was the most challenging song to create?
“Tad Bit” was the most challenging to create structurally. With this song, I wanted it to have a feeling of minimalism but also have a feeling of a powerful driving force behind it. I was heavily inspired by how the late SOPHIE mastered that feeling and wanted to achieve that.
Is there a particular favorite song that remains special to you for a certain reason?
“Ppl Say” is very special to me and inspires me when other’s thoughts and projections cloud my view of my own path. It is a reminder to stand tall in what you believe, even if no one believes that what you are fighting for is worth it.
What topics and artists inspired this project?
The theme presented in the album is self-preservation, acceptance of loss, friendship breakups, romance, sex, comfortability, creativity, and balance. Artists that inspired the project are Aaliyah, 702, Kelela, Jai Paul, SOPHIE, Sampha, Erykah Badu, Amerie, Kacey Musgraves, and so many other amazing artists.
How does this body of work differ from your previous work?
PSA is an album that felt so free and comfortable creating. I feel the most connected to it because the melodies I created are timeless and the messages that I highlighted in the songs are ones that will ring true forever.
Has the pandemic changed your creative process in any way?
My creative process is not much different. Since the pandemic, I have definitely learned to really take my time even more so with my creative process.
What is the main goal you would like to achieve with this album?
I would like to inspire, connect with many listeners and other talented musicians/artists, and hopefully provide a space of solace for my listeners.
If you had to describe the album in three words, what would they be?
True, sonic, transcendent.