Sy'rai - 'Cold War'
What’s good, y'all? Happy Friday! For this next feature, we're taking a listen to the latest EP from Sy’rai. On her debut EP, ‘Cold War’, Sy’rai flexes her songwriting and singing skills, showing she can stand on her own outside of her family's legacy.
Released on August 28, 2026, this eight-track EP dives into the complexities of young love, from self-discovery to heartbreak. While this isn’t her first time releasing new music, it is her first project.
With the released singles 'Bullseye' and 'Late Night', listeners get a glimpse of this young talent's style. It’s hard to ignore the hints of Brandy within her style; I mean, that is her momma. But you also hear the influence of Kehlani and even Victoria Monét, with a more new-school sound and direction within R&B.
Now, I will admit, this album does not do it for me. I’m not sure if it’s because of my age, but the songs seem more tailored to a younger generation, which doesn’t bother me at all, because I think we are missing this element in music: music for pre-teens and teens to relate to and enjoy. If I had to pick one song I enjoyed, it would be 'Paragon' I love the vocal arrangement on this track; the production was great, and I enjoy the instrumental sound.
I also wasn’t a fan of the album name or the explanation she gave for calling it 'Cold War.' In a recent interview with 'Behind the Scenes Beauty w/ D.M.', she expressed that this project felt like somewhat of a release- things she's been going through that she has never shared- and ultimately I still didn’t get it based on what the Cold War historically has always meant.
Overall, I think this project was a solid effort for her very first one. At just 24, Sy’rai has plenty of space to grow, experiment, and develop her artistry; there’s a lot to look forward to from her in the future. It’s difficult to judge this project too harshly since there isn’t much to measure it against, and that’s partly the challenge here. I also made a conscious effort not to compare her sound or style to Brandy; it wouldn’t be fair or objective.
Sy’rai is not Brandy, Ray J, or even her producer daddy Robert Anthony Smith; she’s just Sy’rai, and her star shines bright, making it obvious she’s ready to show the world exactly what she is made of.
Let me know what you think of the album. Are you feeling it?
To stream her latest project, check out the links below:
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