# Since I Have a Lover

Professional ratings :
| Aggregate scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 68/100 |
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Clash | 8/10 |
| The Line of Best Fit | 7/10 |
| The Observer | |
| Pitchfork | 6.3/10 |
Since I Have a Lover is the third studio album by American singer 6lack. It was released on March 24, 2023, through LVRN and Interscope Records. The album received a nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.

## Background

On February 21, 2023, 6lack posted a video of a billboard announcing that his next album was releasing in March 2023 with the caption "and finally, we’re 6ack, March 2023 — #SIHAL 💐". On February 22, 6lack posted a video snippet for the lead single "Since I Have a Lover", announcing that an album of the same name would be released on March 24, 2023. The single released on March 1. On March 10, 6lack released the single "Talkback". On March 16, 6lack released the single "Fatal Attraction". The album was released on March 24.
6lack embarked on a world tour in support of the album, supported by Mereba, Jordan Ward, Quin, Spinall, and SadBoi. The tour began in October 2023 in Portland and concluded in March 2024 in Oslo.

## Critical reception

According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Since I Have a Lover received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 68 out of 100 from 6 critic scores.
Ammar Kalia of The Observer wrote that the album was "stifled by the weight of its slow and atmospheric fillers" describing it as "the work of an artist in transition, catering to old fans and well-trodden styles while attempting to settle on something new." The review for Pitchfork by Dylan Green concludes: "With mixed results, Lover tries to bring that eye and ear to a brighter musical palette and greener romantic pastures. To paraphrase the great Roy Kent, real love should make you feel like you’ve been struck by lightning. 6LACK manages some sparks here and there, but the tingles fade fast." AllMusic's Andy Kellman described the album as "breezy and uncharacteristically serene" and "lighter -- and more emotionally open -- than either of his first two LPs." Elliot Burr of The Line of Best Fit wrote that the album was "hiding thoughtful romanticisms and nuanced musical flashes that are a delight to discover." Writing for Clash, Robin Murray called the album 6LACK’s "crowning statement" with "some of his most personal work to date."
The album received a nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.

## Track listing

Notes
* signifies an additional producer
* signifies a recording producer
* "Talkback" features an interpolation of "Shape of My Heart", as performed by Sting.

## Personnel

Musicians
* 6lack – vocals
* Quin – additional vocals (tracks 1, 3, 11)
* Syx Rose Valentine – additional vocals (1)
* Alex Gorchesky – guitar (1)
* Psymun – guitar (1)
* Yakob – guitar (1), string arrangement (11)
* Rascal – drum programming (2)
* Octave – guitar (2)
* Fwdslxsh – synthesizer (2, 7, 13), keyboard arrangements (2); drums, guitar (3); synthesizer (4, 15, 19), drum programming (5, 15, 17), programming (7, 13), string arrangement (11)
* Dylan Wiggins – bass guitar (3), synthesizer (4, 7)
* Alex Goldblatt – guitar (3, 13)
* Sounwave – programming (3)
* Singawd – drum programming (4), synthesizer (18, 19)
* Marco Bernardis – saxophone (4)
* Kill September – synthesizer (4, 18, 19)
* Khris Riddick – drum programming (5)
* India Shawn – additional vocals (6)
* EY – drum programming (7)
* Alex Blake – guitar (7)
* 8AE – additional vocals (9)
* Nick Veinoglou – guitar (10)
* Mereba – additional vocals (12, 19)
* Toian – additional vocals (12)
* ForTheNight – drum programming (12)
* Adriano – guitar (12), piano (12)
* Olu – drum programming (13)
* Kevin Ekofo – guitar (13)
* Syreeta Butler – spoken word (14)
* Beau Nox – background vocals (15)
* Leon Thomas – background vocals (15)
* Don Toliver – vocals (15)
* Slimwav – piano (17)
* Wale – vocals (17)
* Pink Sweats – additional vocals (18)
* Joe Reeves – bass guitar, guitar (18)
* Ashley Williams – choir (18)
* Erik Brooks – choir (18)
* Herman Bryant III – choir (18)
* Shelia Moser – choir (18)
* Steve Epting – choir (18)
* Simon Hessman – guitar (18)
* Crush – violin (18)
* Lauren Jauregui – additional vocals (19)
* Ty Dolla Sign – additional vocals (19)
* Camper – bass guitar, guitar (19)
Technical
* JT Gagarin – mixing
* Jon Castelli – mixing (1–15, 17–19)
* Joshua Deguzman – mix engineering (1–15, 17–19)
* Fwxdslxsh – recording arrangement (1, 2, 13, 15, 18)
* Simon Hessman – recording arrangement (1)
* Rascal – recording arrangement (2, 13)
* Derek "206derek" Anderson – recording (15)
* EY – recording production (16)

## Charts

Chart performance for Since I Have a Lover :
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard) | 53 |
| French Albums (SNEP) | 152 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) | 48 |
| US Billboard 200 | 24 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) | 7 |