PLAYBOY

Released in March 2021, PLAYBOY represents a pivotal moment in Tory Lanez’s discography, marking his first full-length R&B project to eschew the heavy sampling that defined his popular Chixtape series. By moving away from 90s and 00s interpolations, Lanez forces his own melodic sensibilities to the forefront, resulting in a more cohesive and original sonic identity. The album is characterized by its 'dark R&B' or 'trap-soul' palette, heavily influenced by the Toronto sound but executed with a more traditional vocal focus. Critics noted the project's sorrowful tone and its departure from his more aggressive rap output. The lead single 'Feels' featuring Chris Brown serves as the project's commercial anchor, but the deeper cuts like 'Lady of Neptune' and 'Don’t Walk Away' reveal the album's true character: a sprawling, reverb-soaked exploration of toxic romance and isolation. It stands as a technical showcase of his vocal range, particularly his falsetto and harmonizing capabilities.