PARTYNEXTDOOR4 Is a Party In Itself

PartyNextDoor showcases all of his quiet growth with P4

Jadyn Grayes, A&E and Multimedia Editor

May 5, 2024

A clip from the cinematic trailer used to announce the “Sorry I’m Outside” Tour.

PartyNextDoor, R&B artist well known for his hits “Come and see me” and “Break from Toronto” has emerged from the shadows with his newest album “PARTYNEXTDOOR4” released Apr. 26. This album has been highly anticipated, with it being three years since the last release “Colours.”

Since PND’s self-titled debut in 2013, he’s maintained his status as an enigma in the R&B and hip-hop industry. His low profile and rare live appearances entice fans even more as his fans eagerly await his next performance or release.

The loverboy side of PND shines through his latest album, with a common theme of romance and privacy. The main contrast between this album and his past work is the polished sound. The bedroom R&B sound that fans love so much remains, just cleaner and crisper. Despite arguments that it takes away the nostalgia that PND’s older songs bring, I embrace the more evolved production. It shows not only an improvement as an artist, but as a person.

“This is the hardest I’ve ever worked on an album. This is the proudest I’ve felt. I’m excited to grind even more for the next [one]. I’m in love with how hard you should work for it,” he told Billboard in a recent interview.

A personal favorite from the track list is “F o r C e r t a i n.” PND glides over a beat that combines dancehall with a Latin flare, repeating romantic lyrics like “The pressure of love” and “I want to make you my girlfriend.” This track is definitely a new staple in my summer playlist, with an irresistible rhythm.

Listening to “L o s e M y M i n d” immediately made me hopeful for a possible tour announcement, and my hopes came true with the announcement of his “Sorry I’m Outside” tour on Monday, Apr. 29. PND’s sampling of well-known song “Party up (Up in here)” makes this track perfect for the stage.

Fans are speculating whether “P4” is the last installment in PND’s series of albums, making this release bittersweet. It would certainly be sad if this was his last release, but the improvement of this album makes me believe that this is just the beginning of his uphill journey.

Donate to Knight Writers

$400

$1500

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Robinson High School - FL. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

About the Contributor

Jadyn Grayes, A&E and Multimedia Editor

Jadyn Grayes is a senior at Robinson and the A&E and Multimedia Editor of Knight Writers. This is her third year on staff and her second year as an editor.

This year, Grayes decided to continue journalism because she enjoys the experience, her classmates and the environment.

“I chose journalism, because, well, one, I’m an editor and two, I really liked the environment and the group of people that I’ve come to know in my years in journalism,” Grayes said.

In an ideal world, she would be an immigration attorney, after witnessing her mother’s experiences as an immigrant.

“Yeah, career-wise, I would be an immigration attorney because my mom is an immigrant. When I was little, hearing about her experience, like coming to America, made me want to help people going through the same thing. And growing up finding out that there was a career that enabled me to do that. It just kind of like set a fire in my heart,” Grayes said.

Outside reporting for Knight Writers, Grayes is also on the cheerleading team. She tutors younger children in her spare time.

“Because kids who have been through a lot of stuff, big time, they kind of have like a wall that you have to get through. So, it also helps me learn to like to put myself in other people’s shoes, especially when you’re teaching and it gave me a lot of respect for teachers because I never realized how tough it could be getting through to kids,” Grayes said.

If there was one thing she could teach the world, it would be to treat each other with respect and kindness.

“Honestly, you just never know what people are going through. Like I would say I’m pretty emotionally intelligent. But I never realized that people tend to hide so much so well. So I think just having empathy for everyone, no matter how they treat you, is one of the biggest things I’d have to face,” Grayes said.

Profile by (Winter Carbajal)