Maxwell Returns w/ Tender New Ballad "Lake By The Ocean"

Funny how one week you're celebrating the 20th anniversary of Maxwell's debut album and the very next, you're welcoming the r&b maven back after a near-seven-year hiatus. Not that he's even been gone that long, but when you drop a 6x Grammy nominated record (BLACKsummer'snight) and then vanish off the face of the earth, the world is bound to be looking out for your next move. Today, precisely that move has arrived with the release of "Lake By The Ocean," the first single off Maxwell's forthcoming blackSUMMER'Snight album (yes, it's the same album title with a different portion capitalized because...Maxwell, and we don't ask questions when your boy decides to drop something off.)

It's a tender ballad, slung over a hard, washed-out shuffle and flutters of ivory, all while the Brooklyn-born crooner goes in with a delicate vocal treatment. And while there's no date attached to the new project just yet, this should certainly hold you over. Stream Maxwell's first single in nearly seven years, "Lake By The Ocean," down below and take it home with you on iTunes today. Hold tight for the next episode.

document.getElementById('ShopifyEmbedScript') || document.write('