Sonder Son

Sonder Son is the debut studio album by Maryland-born artist Brent Faiyaz, released in 2017 following his breakout success with the group Sonder and his feature on GoldLink's 'Crew'. Seeking to escape the distractions of Los Angeles, Faiyaz recorded the majority of the album in the Dominican Republic, a move that profoundly influenced the record's organic, sun-soaked sonic palette. Unlike the dark, trap-influenced R&B that would define his later projects like Fuck the World and Wasteland, Sonder Son is characterized by its heavy use of acoustic guitars, live percussion, and a more traditional soul structure. The title refers to the 'sonder' concept - the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as one's own. Critics, including those at AllMusic, noted the album's refreshing lack of trendy production tropes, praising Faiyaz's ability to carry a full-length project with his distinctive falsetto and narrative songwriting. It stands as a pivotal moment in his career, establishing his independence and his penchant for brutal, often uncomfortable, self-reflection.