With 'Myself', Venna offers a lush preview of his forthcoming album Malik, reaffirming why he’s one of the most exciting voices in contemporary jazz-infused R&B. The track is a masterclass in restraint and atmosphere, with Jorja Smith’s voice gliding seamlessly over Venna’s rich instrumentation. There’s a theme of surrender running through the song: 'lost in his ways, oh my god I can’t explain it' that mirrors the emotional core of the song - letting go, finding meaning in disorientation, and allowing the music to carry you somewhere unspoken. What stands out immediately is the melody, with soft strings and guitar-like tones carrying a subtle and almost reminiscent Hispanic inflection and evocative style. Layered against warm percussion and delicate yet purposeful drums, the arrangement creates a sensual tension: grounded in rhythm but floating in mood. Venna’s saxophone sensibility can be felt even when he’s not playing; his fingerprints are all over the arrangement, balancing intimacy and expansiveness. While Jorja delivers the lyrical heart of the song with effortless vulnerability, it’s Venna’s production that frames her voice like a painter working with light. If 'Myself' is any indication, Malik promises to be a record where global influences, live instrumentation, and soulful storytelling converge into something timeless. -Rachel Fryer