Bay Area-born and Portland-based R&B powerhouse Zyah Belle has never been one to hold back. Zyah Belle’s (@zyahbelle) latest project embraces growth, resilience, and artistic freedom. Blending nostalgic R&B textures with bold experimentation, her new EP Are You Still Listening?, is her most confident and self-assured work yet. Moreover, it’s an eight-track body of work that reflects on growth, celebrates creative evolution, and embraces the full spectrum of emotion.
The EP plays like both a conversation and a confession. “Are You Still Listening? is me asking: am I still listening to my mind, my body, my heart, my spirit? To my community?” Belle explains. “It’s a space to stretch, to experiment, to show up fully… sexy, confident, and sure of myself.”
From the jump, Belle sets the tone with “LYIN.” An opener co-signed by Rihanna that showcases her commanding vocals. She leans into groove-driven chemistry on “About Time” featuring Ben Reilly, finds sultry flow on “Automatic” with Dende, and ventures into cinematic territory with “1-800 Heartbreak.” The project closes with “Oh The Places” featuring Jane Handcock, grounding Belle’s voice in reflection.
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It’s a continuation of the conversation she began with her 2021 breakout Who’s Listening Anyway?. Moreover, this was an EP born from heartbreak and the temptation to walk away from music entirely. Back then, Belle was testing the waters of her artistry. Now, she’s diving in headfirst. “I didn’t just stay in it… I bloomed,” she says.
Her transformation is clear. From the honey-gold locs of her early days to the bold blonde fade she rocks now, Belle signals reinvention with every detail. Fresh off a sold-out North American tour and collaborations with icons like Kanye West and Snoop Dogg, she arrives at Are You Still Listening? with clarity.
In a crowded R&B landscape, Zyah Belle earns her own attention. And for anyone tuned in, the answer is a resounding yes.
