R&B star Bryson Tiller has surprised fans by unveiling his new album Solace, the second half of his ambitious double album Solace & The Vices. Tiller dropped Solace without much warning on October 2 – a meaningful date, as it marks the anniversary of his 2015 debut TRAPSOUL. This 12-track collection takes a deeply introspective turn compared to August’s The Vices (the first installment, which showcased Tiller’s hip-hop side and featured guests like Rick Ross and T-Pain). On Solace, the Louisville crooner bares his soul with no features, opening up about personal growth, fears, and relationships. In the opening track “Strife,” Tiller reflects on how therapy helped him confront his past mistakes in love, singing about curbing bad habits and confessing “No more 2 a.m. disappearing… more than one affair… moving careless.” On “Workaholic,” he candidly recalls fearing he’d be a one-hit wonder after his sophomore slump, admitting he was “scared of going broke in 2018,” even as overworking strained his personal life.
The creation of the double album was organic. “It started with Solace. I just wanted to express what I was feeling to see if it would help me get through it,” Tiller shared, explaining that he then decided to have some fun on a separate project: “I got tired of talking about my feelings and got tired of drinking and smoking… shifted my focus and boom, double album spawned.” The first half, The Vices, was Tiller’s declaration that he could enjoy life without his former vices – he’s even revealed he’s been sober since recording it. Now, with Solace & The Vices complete, Bryson Tiller delivers a one-two punch of honesty and creativity. This double album follows his 2024 self-titled project and shows Tiller at his most reflective and experimental, proving that conquering one’s demons can lead to triumphant musical evolution.
