For the past decade or so, J. Mitchell has made a name for herself as a premiere writer and songstress in the soul/R&B world, mainly as a major contributor on tracks like Fashawn’s “Life As A Shorty,” MED and Guilty Simpson’s “Life’s Good,” and Blu & Exile’s “More Out Of Life.” Then, in 2019, she re-introduced herself as Silka, and began merging the aforementioned sounds with jazz and more to create a beautiful and unique sound all her own.

Recently, Silka premiered her new single “Clear,” a collaboration with musicians Morgan Guerin, Paul Bloom, Burniss Earl Travis, and acclaimed drummer Marcus Gilmore — the grandson of Roy Haynes who Silka tapped to be co-producer of the genre-bending effort. Detailing her connection to Gilmore, Silka revealed that her counterpart “plays the drum like a piano,” which taught her to “equate the drums with melodic harmony.”

As far as subject matter, “Clear” acts as an epiphany of sorts, with the west coast talent coming to the realization that she only wants a certain someone as her lover:

“I don’t like making love when you’re not here, no one to comfort and rapture my day, it’s so clear, moonlight and stars above, they shine so near, still no one to comfort and call my own, it’s so clear, it’s so clear, I tried to get with my people from the club, when you’re not here…”

Via press release, Silka — who is said to be inspired by jazz fusion and iconic artists like the late Phyllis Hyman — further explained the meaning behind the infectious cut:

“Clear is about clarity of mind. It’s about when you have that ‘A-ha’ moment and everything becomes clear. You’re having these confusing moments in life and now everything is clear.”

Press play on the matching visual for Silka’s “Clear” below.