Album Review: Au by Peyton
Au solidifies Peyton’s place in the contemporary R&B landscape and alternative soul as a formidable, idiosyncratic voice, one that few artists can execute the balance of nostalgia and innovation.
Houston-born R&B singer-songwriter Peyton returns with her sophomore album Au, a record that glows with emotional honesty and self-preservation. Coming after 2021’s sleeper PSA, Au finds Peyton navigating betrayal, confusion, and disappointment without ever losing sight of hope or joy. The title itself (the chemical symbol for gold) symbolizes a pledge to “stay golden” in a world determined to dull her shine. Rather than wallow in heartbreak, Peyton uses these 11 tracks to reaffirm her worth and take the high road, an ethos she developed in her mid-twenties while writing from a place of peace. “I’m not someone who believes in hurting people back… I believe in taking the high road, in being golden,” she has said—a mindset that defines the album’s true core.
Au was crafted in tight collaboration with visionary producer Shafiq Husayn—known for his sharp, modern funk touch with artists like Bilal and Erykah Badu—and the chemistry is evident. Shafiq’s production wraps Peyton’s songs in crisp electronic grooves and sophisticated soul textures, creating a glossy sheen that recalls late-‘90s/early-2000s R&B and hip-hop bounce. Dense synth basslines, airy keyboards, and off-kilter drum programming give the record a contemporary future-soul flair, yet the feel remains warm and organic. Co-production and instrumentation from Om’Mas Keith (of Sa-Ra and Frank Ocean fame) further enrich the palette with cosmic keyboard flourishes and layered harmonies. Through it all, Peyton’s sweet, honeyed vocals glide on top—equal parts vulnerable and defiant as she shifts from silky croons to confident exclamations. There’s a familiar nostalgic quality to her voice (she cites neo-soul icon Amel Larrieux as a key influence) that gives these songs a timeless R&B appeal, including “Love Your Signs,” a playful, loving ode that bubbles with early-2000s R&B vibes and modern groove celebrating the astrologies of affection in a relationship.
But at the same time, her delivery carries a modern, self-assured twist, reinforcing each song’s message of empowerment. The interplay between Peyton’s vocal melodies and Shafiq’s nuanced beat work is the album’s driving force—for example, her angelic harmonies often contrast with the snappy snare hits and rubbery bass, striking a balance between softness and bite. On the cathartic “Not Your Girl,” for instance, she reclaims her power after being gaslit and cheated on, refusing to internalize the disrespect. “If I was really your girl, you’d never treat me this way,” Peyton states plainly, cutting through the noise. As one of the album’s singles, “Red Flags” is an album standout that pairs breezy production with sharp lyrics calling out toxic behavior. Over a head-nodding mid-tempo bounce and lush synth layers, Peyton catalogs the warning signs (“I’m pretty sure I’m finally picking up on the red flags”) and the drama caused by a so-called friend. Yet the tone isn’t bitter – she delivers these lines with a hint of wry humor and a sense of relief. The hook is instantly catchy, and the song’s empowering message of moving on (accentuated by Peyton’s decision not to let anyone dim her shine) resonates strongly.
“Answers” is a mellow neo-soul cut built on warm electric piano chords and minimalist percussion. Peyton’s gentle vocals muse on secrecy and trust, as she seeks clarity from a partner lost in lies and distractions (“You’re on your phone, on the drugs… Did you do it right? You gotta be sure”). The intimate, hazy atmosphere mirrors the uncertainty in the lyrics, pulling into Peyton’s late-night contemplations. With Didda Joe, “I Can’t Stay Away” is a sultry duet that slows the pace and turns up the romance. Peyton and R&B crooner Didda Joe trade verses about irresistible attraction in the late-night hours (“3:30 in the morning…You started a fire and you say it’s mine”). The production is sensual and atmospheric, mixing neo-soul warmth with a subtle groove that gently sways. Both vocalists’ harmonies intertwine effortlessly, showcasing genuine chemistry. True to its title, “Genesis” has a hopeful, dawn-like quality. Set against soft synth pads and an uptempo groove, Peyton reflects on rekindling a faded spark. “This time I can change your mood… there’s no other way,” she sings with earnest optimism.
The smooth, dreamy opener of “Eye Love” finds Peyton entangled in a love triangle and ultimately choosing self-respect. Veteran songwriter Brian Alexander Morgan’s presence lends a classic R&B polish, with lush vocal layers and a laid-back beat. Peyton’s refrain “I love him, he loves me, he loves her—but I don’t want that” captures the song’s vulnerable-but-firm stance on not settling. Breezy and uplifting, this mid-album track, “New Leaves,” is an emotional turning point. Peyton uses the changing seasons as a metaphor for personal renewal (“Growing into springtime… I just need new leaves so I can turn my page”). Fittingly, the arrangement feels fresh and organic: mellow guitar/synth textures, gentle percussion, and Peyton’s voice front and center. The hook (“See a preview, can I show you?… There’s something brand new coming for you”) is light and optimistic, perfectly complementing the theme of starting anew. Backed by soft piano chords and understated strings, Peyton lays out an honest conversation with a lover on “Hard to Say” that she “just want[s] us to be whole…We can still keep our dignity. It’s not easy, but it will be.” Her vocals are especially tender here, conveying the weight of the moment.
Peyton turned her gaze inward and upward. Built on an airy, ethereal soundscape of gentle percussion and drifting synth layers, “Fly High” has a liberating ambiance. Peyton’s lyrics encourage self-belief despite uncertainty (“I hope it’s true that I could fly high,” she repeats earnestly), capturing the tentative excitement of pursuing one’s dreams. Au ends on a mellow, reflective note with this duet featuring alternative soul artist Sunni Colón. The phrase “get out of your hair” (channeled in the lyrics as “get out of your head”) is a mantra to let go of overthinking and anxiety. Over lush, hypnotic synth pads and a laid-back rhythm, Peyton and Sunni trade lines about seeking clarity and freedom from mental burdens. Her second release solidifies Peyton’s place in the landscape of contemporary R&B and alternative soul as a formidable, idiosyncratic voice. She manages to channel the glossy feel of R&B’s golden eras while pushing her sound forward—a balance of nostalgia and innovation that few artists execute so gracefully. The tight focus of the album (both thematically and sonically) makes for an experience that is soulful, engaging, and deeply personal.
Great (★★★★☆)
Favorite Track(s): “Red Flags,” “I Can’t Stay Away,” “Not Your Girl”