Honing her voice and finding the sound that truly resonates with her, Toronto-based R&B songstress, Lyhz, returns with support from Canadian music giant FACTOR, with her latest single, “Temporary” (out May 3rd), a blissful R&B ballad pining after the hope that remains for a love that lasts longer than a moment. STREAM TEMPORARY HERE.
One of 4 upcoming single releases for her anticipated 2025 EP, “Temporary” is not just another heartbreak song. With crooning sonic stylings reminiscent of early 2000s R&B, the sensual yet reflective track finds Lyhz coming to terms with relationships that come with expiration dates. Dripping with bittersweet authenticity and questioning what it means to be alone, Lyhz longingly sings, “No plus ones, I got me/You’re the one that I don’t need/Just wish you told me/It’d be temporary”.
“I wrote ‘Temporary’ coming from a place of constant disappointment that opportunities, relationships and people around me, that I longed to hold as permanent fixtures in my life, were constantly fleeting, in stark contrast to how I valued them. Despite the disappointment, this is reflection on the power of letting go all that is Temporary, to make room for the acceptance that growth is moving on from short-term situations and relationships – it is only when we let go of things that don’t serve us, do we give ourselves space to find and accept everything we are truly destined for. Sometimes letting go means being ok to stand on your own for a while, while you wait on something or someone truly worthwhile.”
Ironically, the title for ‘Temporary’ was inspired by the positions I often held in jobs, as an intern/contract worker in short term positions. The song isn’t written about a romantic love, but more so my experience recently graduated from university and Temporary was written at a time in my life where I felt like life was a revolving door or short lived jobs, friendships, opportunities etc in that seasons as I navigated my career getting my foot into the media industry. Despite how hard I worked, it felt like life was constantly starting and stopping and experienced a lot of disappointment because as soon as I got acquainted with something or someone, it was already time to say goodbye. While in life we have to accept certain people, opportunities and relationships run their course, “Temporary” is a reflection of what many people like myself desire – relations and opportunities that truly last and aren’t just here for a moment.
What about the production process and inspiration?
I actually wrote and composed the song’s melody without a beat, just acapella. The creation process was different from my typical process, where I usually compose the song to a beat. This time I simply wrote the song’s melody at a time that I felt inspired and my producer, James Isibor, built the production around the melody I created.
I’m a lover of classical music and jazz, and I wanted that to be reflected in the sonic stylings. Within the production for the bridge and outro there are string crescendos and decrescendos incorporated, giving the song subtle orchestral elements. Brandy is also one vocalist and lyricist I draw inspiration from, and I was really inspired by her single “When You Touch Me” . The stacked vocal techniques and layering that is prevalent in her discography, inspired parts of the chorus in Temporary.
