Giveon, the R&B genius from Long Beach, is back with his much-anticipated single with a title of Twenties, a reflective ballad that would be his first solo from Give or Take in 2022.
The single, produced by Sevn Thomas, Maneesh Bidaye, Jahaan Sweet, Matthew Burnett, and Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, again places his signature baritone front and center as he reiterates the themes of love, loss, and introspection.
Accompanying the release of “Twenties” is a nostalgic video directed by Loris Russier (who has worked with artists such as Ella Mai, SiR, and Future) that emotionally chronicles Giveon’s archival relationship while also signaling the onset of a new chapter in the artist’s life.
A New Era for Giveon
“Twenties” arrives just ahead of Giveon’s impending 30th birthday; it looks back at the decade that carved him and charts a personal path of growth.
In the video, the artist quite literally walks down memory lane, revisiting a time when he was young and unsure, going down memory lane filled with an ex.
“Hung onto you ’cause I didn’t know better / I just feel like time was runnin’ out,” croons Giveon in the heart-wrenching track, capturing the confusion and intensity of that formative time frame.
According to Giveon, “Twenties” is not just any other song but the very first chapter to a new musical adventure.
In his words on Twitter, the song is the “first chapter from this book I can’t wait to share,” suggestive of the fact that more projects are on the way intended to evolve his sound and storytelling. A significant turning point now in the artist’s career as he enters his thirties would further crystallize this sense of renewed purpose and artistry.
A Legacy in the Making
Giveon’s road to fame was characterized by many memorable moments. From singing for SZA during a job interview at Bubba Gump Shrimp to donating a fully functional recording studio to a local institution in Long Beach, he has remained firm to his roots.
He also had a major landmark as a contributor to the Justin Bieber single “Peaches,” the song that climbed to Number 1 on the charts.
Ever since the release of the first project, Take Time, in 2020, Giveon has firmly established himself among the most promising voices of R&B.
His 2022 album, Give or Take, received acclaim for displaying his capacity to engage with emotional complexity lyrically and with a vulnerability that hits home. The hits “For Tonight” and “Lie Again” were certified platinum, and his music continues to hit home around the globe.
Reflecting on the Past, Looking Ahead
“Twenties” is a natural continuation of the self-reflective lyricism found in his earlier work. The song’s reflective lyrics revisit long-term relationships and complexity, especially the agony of letting go when the end is imminent.
“I can tell the ship was goin’ down / I was so young and dumb.” Giveon captures well the internal conflict of knowing it wasn’t meant to be but still fighting to hold on.
A congregation performance from the live band is actually featured in “Twenties,” bringing raw, soulful accompaniment that doubles the push of emotion.
Combine commanding vocals, evocative lyrics, and an indelible visual, and it becomes clear that Giveon is on track for much more success as he dives forward into a new chapter of its career.
More to Come
On top of his solo career, Giveon has recently collaborated with pop-soul singer Teddy Swims on the song “Are You Even Real?” The song debuted No. 1 across many Billboard charts and finds a spot on Swims’ album *I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part