Christon Gray leans fully into his R&B instincts on “Vanish,” a new song featuring fellow Collision Records artist Swoope.
The track comes from Gray’s forthcoming album, School of Roses. It also shows why Gray has become difficult to fit into a single category.
He moves between singing and rapping without treating either as a side project. Smooth melodies carry most of the song before Swoope arrives to sharpen the edges.
Christon Gray Lets R&B Lead on ‘Vanish’
“Vanish” centers on relationship tension, attraction and the point where confidence begins giving way to vulnerability.
Gray’s vocal performance carries most of the emotional weight. Meanwhile, the restrained production keeps every feeling from turning into a dramatic emergency.
Swoope adds a different texture. His more direct delivery cuts through the polished R&B atmosphere without sounding like it came from another record.
As a result, the collaboration gets the push and pull its subject requires.
School of Roses Pushes Beyond Hip-Hop
The song also previews how School of Roses will move beyond the usual boundaries placed around faith-driven hip-hop.
Gray has always shown an interest in soul, jazz and contemporary R&B alongside rap. On “Vanish,” however, he makes no attempt to rank those influences or keep them in separate rooms.
School of Roses is Gray’s first album for Collision Records. The project explores relationships, failure, desire and faith through the lessons that come with both beauty and pain.
The album will be released March 25 through Collision Records.