Philadelphia singer Bilal, a key figure from the neo-soul era, is set to make a long-awaited return with his upcoming album Adjust Brightness, slated for release next month. Known for his unique voice that has remained just as captivating as it was during his early years, Bilal has been a prolific collaborator, most recently teaming up with Denzel Curry to cover Erykah Badu. However, this marks his first solo studio album since 2015’s In Another Life.

According to a press release, the album draws inspiration from artists like Aphex Twin, Stereolab, and Jai Paul, signaling a move towards a more experimental sound. The first single, “Sunshine,” offers a glimpse into this new direction. The track is a short but beautiful blend of Bilal’s signature soulful depth with a fast, muted electronic beat reminiscent of Chicago footwork. The combination is fresh and intriguing, showcasing Bilal’s ability to evolve while staying true to his roots.

 

In a press release, Bilal shared his thoughts on the album’s creation, saying, “I realized a long time ago that, with the specter of AI and streaming, we risk losing our humanity. With Adjust Brightness, it was like: let’s make some shit that is going to confuse the damn computer. We’re bringing a love frequency — emphasizing the warmth, the love. It’s an intimate record.”

 

Alongside the release of “Sunshine,” Bilal has also unveiled the tracklist for Adjust Brightness and announced upcoming tour dates. Some of these performances will be part of the Jazz Is Dead project, led by his longtime collaborator Adrian Younge.

Fans can check out the “Sunshine” music video below, as they eagerly anticipate the full release of Adjust Brightness next month.

 

TRACKLIST:
01 “Ever Changing”
02 “Sunshine”
03 “Lay Around”
04 “Tell Me”
05 “Who We Are Now”
06 “A To Z”
07 “The Story” (Feat. Robert Glasper)
08 “Micro Macro”
09 “Adjust Brightness”
10 “Conditional”
11 “The Other Day”

 

TOUR DATES:
10/07 – Albany, NY @ The Egg
10/08 – Somerville, MA @ Crystal Ballroom
10/09 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live *
10/10 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg ^
10/11 – Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
10/13 – Atlanta, GA @ City Winery Atlanta #
10/14 – Nashville, TN @ City Winery Nashville @
10/16 – St. Louis, MO @ City Winery St. Louis @
10/17 – Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theater ^
10/19 – Iowa City, IA @ Englert Theatre @
10/20 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Dakota
10/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Lodge Room (Jazz Is Dead)
10/23 – Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music (Jazz Is Dead)
10/24 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios (Jazz Is Dead)
10/25 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern (Jazz Is Dead)
10/26 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret