Genesis Alejo
Genesis Alejo
The production styles and influences behind Brent Faiyaz’s new album.
Brent Faiyaz gifted his fans a 33-minute love-struck album this Valentine’s Day weekend. The tracks in this newly released studio album titled Icon, feel like modern silky R&B pulling production inspiration from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s thanks to executive producer Raphael Saadiq. Saadiq, most recently known for developing and co-writing the hit song, “I Lied to You,” in the film Sinners, was also a member of the early 90’s R&B group, Tony! Toni! Toné!. Throughout his career, he’s produced and written songs for influential artists such as Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Jill Scott, Stevie Wonder, and Mary J. Blige. Recently, he’s contributed to Beyoncé’s Renaissance (2022) and Cowboy Carter (2024) following his work as a composer for the 2024 film, Freaky Tales.
Brent went as far as having this studio album mixed and mastered by Mike Dean who produced the majority of Kanye West’s catalog, many of Travis Scott’s earlier albums, and even some work for UGK. Dean also worked on The Weeknd’s Beauty Behind the Madness (2015), Dawn FM (2022), and Hurry Up Tomorrow (2025). Though Mike Dean and Raphael Saadiq’s influence is a prominent sound within this album, there are also contributions from other producers such as Benny Blanco, Chad Hugo, dpat, Tommy Richman, Jonah Roy, Andrew Kim, Berg, Mathaius Young, Noah Williamson, Legion, Jordan Ware, and Paperboy Fabe. Due to these contributors in particular, you might also hear influences from Frank Ocean, given that many of them have worked with him in one way or another.
Similar to songs in Frank’s and Kanye West’s albums, Brent’s 10-track project opens up with an instrumental track—overlapping violins—an almost classical introduction to a graceful album. With Saadiq’s soulful presence, it was also no surprise to hear the newfound romance in Brent’s lyrics. Brent sings about falling in love, reciprocated feelings, and a love that’s larger than life—almost a complete 180 from his previous work. There are online mentions of him returning to his roots and sounding a bit more like he did in his debut studio album, Sonder Son and early EP, Lost. Instead of leaning into his apathetic and toxic persona, one who doesn’t care to be tied down by anyone, he gives us a warm welcome into his hopeful and yearning side. With this team of producers that specializes in alternative R&B, soul, and pop, we get to hear these declarations of love through nu-disco—a 21st-century electronic dance music genre that mixes funk, soul, and groove of 1980s disco with modern synth and house music. The result is a luminous, pop-leaning soundscape reminiscent of icons like Prince and Michael Jackson.