Velvet Roux on Vulnerability, Atlanta, and Her New Album "Bloom"

Velvet Roux doesn't do small talk. Within five minutes of our conversation, she's already talking about her therapy journey, the breakup that inspired her upcoming album "Bloom," and why she thinks vulnerability is the most radical thing an artist can offer.

"We live in a culture that rewards armor," she says, curled up in a studio chair, a candle flickering behind her. "Especially for Black women. You're supposed to be strong, unbreakable. But my music is about saying — I'm cracking, and that's where the light gets in."

"Bloom" is her most ambitious work yet. Where her debut "Midnight Honey" established her as a neo-soul voice, and sophomore effort "Afterglow" expanded her production palette, this third project feels like a full artistic statement.

The lead single "Satin Dreams" pairs lush strings with trap hi-hats and Velvet's most powerful vocal performance to date. It's already earned Spotify editorial placement and a cosign from SZA herself on Twitter.