Looking into the rather large world of creatives that includes, but isn’t limited to: rappers, singers, writers, painters, deejays, graphic designers, and producers, there is one thing we all have in common; a muse. Defined as “a source of inspiration” a muse takes its position at the epicenter of the artists’ vision as the work is created. It is also subconsciously expected that this source remains unchanged and unaltered throughout the process. During it, various components of the said source are mixed together like paint on a palette to be then transferred to the canvas in our respective mediums. However, for dvsn a different illusion is present, one that finds a muse wanting to pull from the artist as often as the artist pulls from it.
Since their impressive 2016 debut Sept. 5th, dvsn has worked their way towards being one of R&B’s most talented and consistent offerings — a title that stuck more after their 2017 album, Morning After. Contrary to their usual closed-door efforts, the Toronto duo opened their collaborative doors to work with a long list of artists on their newly released album, A Muse In Her Feelings. A list that includes PARTYNEXTDOOR, Ty Dolla $ign, Summer Walker, Popcaan, Future, and Snoh Aalegra, A Muse In Her Feelings looks to maintain the original beauty of said muse.
Starting on the first chapter in the four-part series that is A Muse In Her Feelings, dvsn is tasked with pleasing an unsatisfied muse. Blaming himself for the faults in their relationship, “No Good” presents a man coming to terms with himself and his inability to give his partner what is needed for a fruitful relationship. A long-overdue collaboration between OVO talents, “Friends” finds PARTYNEXTDOOR and dvsn attempting to wipe away the destructive words of friends and stop their respective partners from exiting their lives. Long after their relationship concluded, dvsn admits to his own faults on “Still Pray For You” while ensuring that she is constantly on his mind and later asks if the feelings are the same on “Miss Me?” dvsn’s muse retires on “Courtside” with Jessie Reyez. Instead, she places an emphasis on independence and materialistic things, with the latter being the way to her heart.
Wanting to leave past struggles and missteps behind, dvsn embarks on the second chapter with his emotional muse. Crossing paths with his former lover on a night out, dvsn convinces them to get over past feelings as he looks to work his way back into their heart. Rolling through with Future, the social media-proclaimed toxic king, “No Cryin’” plays as the bold approach reminding their love interest that the night is to be enjoyed in high spirits, not by drowning sorrow. Using a steamy passion mixed with dancehall on “Dangerous City” and “So What,” dvsn brings back the fire that once burned between them. Acknowledge the sudden sequence of events, dvsn suits up for the shot of a lifetime on “Outlandish,” proposing that the nightcap they both desire happen in the very room they share.
Propelled by the infectious grooves behind “Keep It Going” and “‘Flawless’ Do It Well Pt. 3,” dvsn hits the aforementioned shot as trumpets ring from the night sky, congratulating him on his newly accomplished feat. Well aware of his past faults, he sacrifices himself to the woman he won back on “Greedy,” to both push and tempt her towards a newly changed man, one aware of every desire she holds. Removing barriers of communication and articles of clothing alike, dvsn is now neck-deep in an intimate bedroom affair, one his partner deeply longed for on the album’s intro. With their previous problems erased from memory thanks to their a rekindled flame, their honeymoon experience shines brightly on “A Muse,” a happy ending following a once-turbulent love.
Upon the beauty of his muse returning, dvsn now understands the inner workings and true being of his muse and showers them with praise on “For Us,” apologizing for past failures and moments where he was self-centered. Declaring their love as forever, dvsn sings with the passion of a 90s R&B singer in the rain as he thanks his muse for being all he’s ever needed. However, before diving headfirst into their new horizon, dvsn with special guest Shantal May — who has an amazing voice — put their individual faults on the table with a plan of resolving them for a smoother relationship.
Art created from direct inspiration runs wild in music. In recent memory, Westside Gunn’s Pray For Paris places Paris on a stool in front of the Griselda rapper for him to create from. The same occurred with Kendrick Lamar and good kid m.A.A.d. city, Anderson .Paak and each of his albums, and many others. However, in dvsn’s case, their muse desires more than to just sit and be created from, they’d rather sit across dvsn with their own easel to whip up their own piece of art.
A Muse In Her Feelings reads like a near oxymoron, where the usual stillness of a muse no longer exists. Once able to pull from it and alter its appearance for his own benefit, the muse is now personified, looking to gain the same thing dvsn have pulled from. The days of taking and altering from the muse for one’s creative endeavors have come to an end and dvsn must now give more than the canvas he paints on to maintain the beauty of the muse he uses.
dvsn’s third album stands as their most complete body of work to date. The duo exited the repose of their comfort zone with intentions of showing the world that they create more than baby-making or text-your-ex tunes. Looking to restore the beauty of their muse, they ventured to further corners of their palette for a more varied musical experience. A Muse In Her Feelings is the realization that a muse is only as good as the beauty from which one is inspired from and in some cases, it’s the job of the creator to maintain that beauty.
