Making Enemies Of Everyone And Everything

Andra Day “Maybe Next Time”

“Maybe Next Time” opens Andra Day’s second album with a message to the listener: “Now I wish I could write you an album full of love songs but I can’t seem to get one.” And then she explains herself by getting into her problems with a guy who she describes as being very insecure and defensive. (Her language is more vivid than that.) Her vocal phrasing is smooth even in the busiest parts of the melody – it doesn’t seem like a stretch to guess that Erykah Badu is a formative influence here, it’s a similar flow and tone – and conveys a nuanced blend of irritation, bitterness, relief, and most of all, resignation. Once she’s done airing her grievances midway through the song, she circles back to addressing her audience. Or maybe at that point it’s really just psyching herself up – “maybe next time will be the right time,” and she’ll have all those love songs ready to go.

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