Xavier Omär, the R&B artiste known for his romantic ballads and respectful lyrics, is pushing back against his “nice guy” reputation with his new album, HunnyMoon Mountain. The album, his first in five years, takes listeners on a theatrical journey through the struggles of a relationship in crisis, a stark contrast to the perfect love stories he’s known for.
Inspired by a friend’s strained relationship, the album explores the difficult work required to make love last.
“You love this person, you want it to work, but you have to do work to make it work. You have to get through tough spots together,” Omär shared in a recent Billboard interview.
While the singer recognises his public persona has been a strong marketing tool, he says it doesn’t give him room to be a real person. With tracks that explore being a “jerk,” placing blame, and feeling miserable, Omär aims to show his humanity and challenge the idea that he is perfect.
The artiste is also looking to rebuild his career momentum after a lengthy break and touring setbacks due to the pandemic. Despite starting over on the touring front, he remains optimistic about the album’s potential to be a “necessary foundation” for his next career chapter. Omär sees the album’s story as a reflection of the endurance required for both personal relationships and his career, an enduring faith that he believes will guide him forward.
•Featured image: Xavier Omar/Hritwik Chhabra
