K. Michelle Showcases Her Versatile Voice On "Birthday"

K. Michelle has announced her fourth studio album Kimberly: The People I Used to Know, which comes along with two singles; the Chris Brown-assisted "Either Way," and the intoxicating "Birthday." Heavy enough for the club but slow enough for the bedroom, "Birthday" starts out as a aqueous R&B track akin to Rihanna's "Needed Me." However, K has some tricks up her sleeve; intensifying her vocal delivery as the song progresses, moving from a cooed approach to a more rhythmic, but still half-sung second verse. Pretty soon, she's launched into double-time raps, recalling her underrated "Down In The DM" remix. Michelle recently spoke to Billboard about the single.

"[Birthday] is a record that is so light and when you catch a vibe on something, it just feels good," she said. "So it’s a record that is very, very vibey. The direction of the album is actually, I actually am talking about a lot of people -- not bashing them, but speaking on some people who have been influential in my life, whether it was for the good or the bad. Either way, it was a lesson learned. So this is just the fun song going out, but I can honestly say this is my best vocal album and you will get those in ballads like “Bring On Love” and “No Not You.” That speaks to who I am and the person and the woman that I’ve become. So I just say it’s a little piece on this rollercoaster journey that the album takes you in."

The album is set to feature collaborations with Chris Brown, Jeremih and fellow Memphis-based artist Yo Gotti. It will also earn production from the legendary Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. It's still without a release date but is expected later this year. Listen to Michelle's excellent 2016 LP More Issues Than Vogue, which features guest appearances from Trina, Yo Gotti and Jason Derulo, here.

Quotable Lyrics:
How it feel to be a winner
Never a beginner
Tell 'em im a pretty sinner
Birthday suit is what you have for dinner
Don't fight me I'm a Pisces
Birthday cake up on his white tee
Turn downs unlikely
He checkin' for me like I'm Nike