Syd – Beard (Album Review)

Syd gives us the pretty and the ugly in “Beard.”

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. My Love

“My Love” stands out thanks to its theatrical, jazz-inspired production that gives the song a timeless feel while still staying rooted in contemporary R&B.

Syd leans fully into romance here, singing about loving someone so deeply that you’d fight for the relationship no matter what obstacles come your way. It’s sweet without becoming overly sentimental, balancing tenderness with quiet determination. The instrumentation wraps around her vocals beautifully, creating one of the warmest moments on the album.

4. Any Time

The opening of “Any Time” almost feels spiritual, carrying subtle gospel influences before smoothly transitioning into a sensual R&B groove.

The song centers around the kind of chemistry that’s impossible to ignore. This is someone who can make your walls come down instantly, someone who knows exactly how to make you vulnerable.

Syd captures that feeling of trying to resist that someone while already knowing resistance is pointless. It’s intimate without feeling overdramatic, and the production perfectly mirrors the emotional pull of the lyrics.

3. Bad Guys

“Bad Guys” explores the idea that people aren’t always as simple as they’re made out to be. Syd reflects on being rough around the edges while still wanting to love someone wholeheartedly.

Every “bad guy” has someone they want to be good for, and sometimes it’s those imperfect people who form the deepest connections. The lyrics blur the line between perception and reality, reminding listeners that everyone has layers beneath the surface.

2. 2 Many Days

Closing out the album, “2 Many Days” shifts the focus away from romance and toward personal ambition. Built around a more hip-hop-forward sound, Syd reflects on the sacrifices, long nights, and relentless work it takes to chase your dreams. After investing so much time and energy into becoming the person you want to be, giving up simply isn’t an option anymore.

It’s an honest, grounded ending that broadens the album’s themes beyond relationships and leaves listeners with a message of perseverance and self-belief.

1. Callin

“Callin” leans into Syd’s smooth R&B sound with subtle hip-hop influences and an effortlessly cool groove. It’s about having someone constantly on your mind after a long night out. You’ve had a drink or two, maybe smoked a little, and suddenly you’re reaching for your phone because they’re the only person you want to be around. It’s that vulnerable late-night moment where all you want is for them to answer and tell you to come over.

The production is laid-back, the hook is catchy, and the whole song feels incredibly natural. It’s one of those tracks that quietly gets stuck in your head.

SONG BY SONG RATING

1. Walls (4/5)

2. Callin (4/5)

3. Jasmin 17 (4/5)

4. My love (4/5)

5. Always Be Mine (4/5)

6. Closet (3.5/5)

7. Bad Guys (4/5)

8. GMFU (4/5)

9. Do Better (3.5/5)

10. Any Time (4/5)

11. Water (4/5)

12. 2 Many Days

RGM RATING

(C)

Syd’s Beard is a rollercoaster of romance, vulnerability, and emotional growth. Throughout the album, she explores the many different stages of love, from the excitement of new attraction to the uncertainty, heartbreak, comfort, and devotion that come with building a real connection. Rather than presenting relationships through a perfect lens, Syd embraces the complicated moments, showing both the beauty and the messiness that come with opening your heart to someone else.

Musically, Beard is rooted in R&B but constantly branches into other influences. Hip-hop grooves sit comfortably alongside jazzy instrumentals, while touches of pop and even gospel-inspired arrangements add texture to the project. Those subtle shifts in sound keep the album engaging without ever disrupting its flow. Every track feels intentional, contributing another chapter to the larger story Syd is telling.

What stands out most is Syd’s ability to communicate emotion with subtlety. She never feels like she’s oversinging or forcing a message. Instead, she allows her smooth vocals and understated songwriting to carry the weight of each song. Whether she’s exploring vulnerability, desire, ambition, or emotional conflict, everything feels genuine and lived-in.

Beard is cohesive from beginning to end, with every song serving a purpose. It’s an intimate, thoughtful project that showcases Syd’s strengths as both a songwriter and storyteller, proving once again why she’s one of the most distinctive voices in modern R&B.

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