Remember Your North Star

Remember Your North Star is the latest album from Brooklyn singer-songwriter Yaya Bey, blending R&B, soul, and jazz to create a vivid and dynamic musical experience. Released in 2023, the album showcases Bey’s distinctive lyrical storytelling, exploring themes of heartache, joy, and the quest for connection. Building on the success of her previous works, Madison Tapes and The Things I Can’t Take With Me, this album represents a significant evolution in her sound.

Bey describes Remember Your North Star as a “thesis” aimed at highlighting Black womanhood and addressing the impact of misogynoir in romantic relationships. She reflects on a tweet suggesting that Black women have not experienced healthy love, prompting her to explore this theme through her music. The album features self-produced tracks that delve into personal traumas, depression, and familial issues, blending jazz, R&B, soul, and reggae with a dancer’s sense of balance.

Previously, Bey’s work, such as the 2016 album The Many Alter-Egos of Trill’eta Brown, was influenced by Audre Lorde’s concept of biomythography. Remember Your North Star refines this approach, addressing generational trauma and critiques of capitalism. The album opens with a poignant tribute to her mother, reflecting on past hardships and societal expectations.

Bey’s lyrical content fluctuates between emotional exploration and social commentary. Tracks like “don’t fucking call me” explore post-breakup loneliness with a blend of vulnerability and defiance, while “keisha” demonstrates her mastery of melody and confident storytelling. The album’s varied moods are mirrored in its production, from the raw, lo-fi elements of “street fighter blues” and “meet me in brooklyn” to the more upbeat, dancefloor-ready “Pour Up,” produced with DJ Nativesun.

The album balances introspective and upbeat tracks, capturing the complexity of Bey’s experiences and emotions. Remember Your North Star combines thoughtful lyrics with diverse musical influences, making it a compelling listen that resonates with themes of love, struggle, and self-discovery.