Ayra Starr’s journey since her explosive 2021 debut has been remarkably strategic. Of course, it helps that she was incubated at a powerhouse label with a history of nurturing and positioning top talent. Still, she’s also shown a palpable ambition, a desire to evolve, and an astute understanding of her own capabilities that set her apart from many of her peers. 

If her self-titled EP, as well as her brilliant full-length debut, captured an angsty Ayra finding her voice and vision as an artist, her coming-of-age follow-up, ‘The Year I Turned 21,’ showcased a more mature, rounded artist focused on getting the bag on standout cuts like “Goodbye (Warm Up),” “Last Heartbreak Song,” and “Commas.” 

That ‘TYIT21’ era, marked by an aesthetic shift that saw her transition from Y2K rebellion into a more mature, sensual elegance, and more sonic adventures, was neatly tied up with the sleek, Wizkid-assisted “Gimmie Dat.” Since then, she’s continued to blend this elegance with further experimentation, releasing sultry singles like “Hot Body” and “Who’s Dat The Girl” that chart the course to her impending next chapter.

“Where Do We Go From Here” is the latest entry in this continuous and compelling evolution. Here, she teams up with six-time Grammy-nominee, ILYA–whose production credits read: Beyonce, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and several other popstars—to craft a dark, sensual, and groovy record that details the thrill and complications of a spicy, non-committal affair. Her vocal performance is particularly remarkable, especially as she melodiously drags out her “Ooos” and “Ahhs,” adding a layer of tension and longing to an already evocative song.

Late last year, the singer made her Substack debut with a post titled “I’m not scared, I promise.” It briefly details her current living situation in New York and her resolve to remain true to her reputation as a “scandalous little rebel who insists she isn’t afraid of risk.” “Where Do We Go From ” sounds like a result of that resolve to keep taking risks.  

With every new drop, we inch closer to her next album, which she has hinted at on several occasions. While details remain largely under wraps, songs like the summer anthem “Hot Body,” a couple of snippets, and this new release, “Where Do We Go From Here,” already hint at a lustrous and, more significantly, ambitious body of work. If her debut album served as a self-assured introduction to her talent and boundless potential, and ‘TYIT21’ built upon that foundation, then the upcoming project seems poised to take the crucial next step: a decisive bid for world domination. 

Listen to “Where Do We Go From Here” here.