Still Over It
Still Over It is the second studio album by American R&B singer and songwriter Summer Walker, the second installment in her 'Over It' trilogy, released on November 5, 2021, through LVRN and Interscope Records.[1][2]The 20-track project features guest appearances from SZA, Cardi B, JT of City Girls, Lil Durk, among others including Ari Lennox, Pharrell Williams, Omarion, and Ciara, and delves into themes of heartbreak, toxic relationships, self-growth, and emotional recovery following Walker's high-profile breakup with producer London on da Track.[3][4][5][6]
Executive produced by Sean Garrett, with contributions from Walker and other producers including The Neptunes, the album builds on the introspective style of her debut Over It (2019), incorporating sultry melodies, spoken-word interludes, and contemporary R&B production to narrate personal turmoil and empowerment.[7][8] Upon release, Still Over It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, accumulating 166,000 album-equivalent units in its first week and marking Walker's first chart-topping project as well as the biggest debut week for an R&B album by a female artist since Beyoncé's Lemonade in 2016.[1][9]
It also topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and generated multiple entries on the Billboard Hot 100, including the top-20 single "No Love" with SZA.[10][11]
Critically, the album received positive reviews for its raw emotional honesty and Walker's vulnerable songwriting, though some critics pointed to its lengthy runtime and repetitive motifs as drawbacks; publications like Rolling Stone hailed it as "sultry and cathartic," while Pitchfork described it as a solid but uneven effort in modern R&B.[5][12][13]
Background and development
Inspirations and concept formation
Summer Walker's sophomore album Still Over It drew its primary inspiration from her highly publicized on-and-off relationship with producer London on da Track, which began in 2019. The couple experienced multiple breakups, including in late 2019 and April 2020, before Walker announced another split on Instagram in October 2020 with a tearful video stating, "It's over," amid allegations of infidelity.[14] They reconciled during her pregnancy and welcomed a daughter, Bubbles, on March 1, 2021, but co-parenting challenges and further issues led to a definitive split in mid-2021.[15] This tumultuous relationship profoundly shaped the project's emotional core, transforming her experiences into a candid chronicle of betrayal, pain, and introspection.[16] Conceived as a direct sequel to her debut album Over It (2019), Still Over It evolved the earlier work's focus on romantic vulnerability into a more resolute examination of toxic patterns, prioritizing themes of empowerment and emotional closure over lingering attachment or reconciliation. Through this lens, Walker aimed to document her path toward self-empowerment, using the album as a therapeutic outlet to process and release the relationship's lingering impact.[5][17]Recording process
The recording of Still Over It spanned from August 2019 to October 2021, with the album's tracks corresponding to specific dates within that period to reflect Walker's personal experiences.[18] Much of the work took place at LVRN Studios in Atlanta, the label's headquarters where Walker had previously recorded elements of her debut album.[19] Key producers on the project included London on da Track, who received production and writing credits on multiple tracks despite personal tensions and a public dispute over the extent of his involvement.[3] Additional collaborators featured producers Ars on the Board and Jaydot, who handled beats and arrangements for several songs, alongside executive producer Sean Garrett, who oversaw much of the vocal production.[7] Guest features were recorded remotely or in targeted sessions, such as SZA's vocals on "No Love," which added layered harmonies to the track's introspective R&B sound.[20] Similarly, Cardi B provided the opening narration for "Bitter," delivering a spoken-word intro that set the album's confessional tone, with her contribution completed separately from Walker's main sessions.[3] Walker adopted a vocal recording approach centered on live takes to capture raw emotion and authenticity, a method she maintained even as her pregnancy advanced in 2021, requiring adjustments for comfort during late-stage sessions.[21] Engineer Dos Dias, who handled the bulk of the album's tracking, emphasized creating a relaxed studio environment to accommodate her condition, ensuring performances felt natural amid the physical demands.[21]Concept and artwork
Thematic elements
Still Over It centers on the core theme of processing a failed romantic relationship, drawing directly from Summer Walker's personal experiences following her breakup with producer London on da Track, with whom she shares a child.[5] The album delves into the emotional turmoil of betrayal and the complexities of co-parenting, as exemplified in tracks like "Ex For A Reason," where Walker and JT confront the reasons past partners remain exes, emphasizing disloyalty and relational fallout.[5] Similarly, "4th Baby Mama" addresses the isolation of pregnancy and ongoing co-parenting struggles, highlighting feelings of neglect and public scrutiny in a high-profile split.[22] These elements underscore a narrative deeply rooted in Walker's life, transforming private pain into a broader commentary on modern love's pitfalls.[23] Sub-themes of toxic love cycles, forgiveness, and personal growth weave throughout the project, reflecting Walker's encounters with multiple partners and the patterns they reveal. "Toxic," featuring Lil Durk, explores destructive dynamics and the difficulty of breaking free from harmful attachments, portraying love as an addictive yet damaging force.[23] Forgiveness emerges tentatively, often laced with unresolved bitterness, as in "Bitter," narrated by Cardi B, which grapples with lingering resentment while hinting at the need for release.[5] Personal growth manifests in moments of self-awareness and empowerment, with Walker evolving from victimhood to agency, informed by her reflections on repeated relational mistakes.[13] The album's narrative arc progresses from acute pain to emerging resilience, structuring an emotional journey that mirrors therapeutic processing. Early tracks like "Broken Promises" capture raw hurt through pleas against deceit and unfulfilled commitments, evoking vulnerability and disillusionment.[13] As the record advances, songs such as "No Love" and "Closure" shift toward strength, with Walker asserting boundaries and self-worth, culminating in a sense of finality and forward momentum.[5] This progression draws from R&B traditions of emotional openness and introspection, akin to influences from artists like Keyshia Cole, while incorporating modern hip-hop's direct critique of relationship inequities through trap-infused production and guest verses that add confrontational edge.[13]Cover artworks
The digital cover of Still Over It features Summer Walker in a car, holding her hand toward the camera as if warding off paparazzi, evoking emotional distress and a desire for privacy amid personal turmoil.[24][25] The physical edition cover depicts Walker holding her baby while on the phone in a kitchen, symbolizing the realities of co-parenting following a breakup. The color palette uses muted tones to convey isolation and introspection, aligning with the album's themes of heartbreak and recovery. The deluxe edition, released in 2022 with an expanded tracklist including bonus tracks, uses the same cover art as the standard edition.[26][27] This consistent visual presentation emphasizes the album's focus on ongoing emotional processing without introducing new imagery for the variant. The artistic intent behind the covers emphasizes intimacy and unfiltered emotion, using everyday settings to mirror the album's exploration of relational aftermath without overt dramatization. Fans praised the designs for their relatability, sparking social media buzz about how the imagery captured the universal experience of processing a breakup.[28]Music and lyrics
Musical style
Still Over It is characterized by its contemporary R&B sound infused with trap elements, creating a moody and introspective atmosphere.[12] The album features downtempo grooves and smooth, minimalistic beats that emphasize emotional vulnerability, with production often described as a hazy murkiness of drawling instruments.[8] The album is largely self-produced by Walker, with London's credited involvement on several tracks being minimal and disputed by the artist.[29] Spaced-out synth patterns and distant-sounding arrangements foster an atmospheric intimacy, as heard in tracks like "Broken Promises" with its quiet music-box whirls and "Reciprocate" featuring hi-hats that evoke a ticking watch.[13] Walker's vocals, processed with auto-tune for a smooth, candid delivery, blend pleading harmonies and restrained tones, enhancing the soulful balladry on songs such as "No Love" featuring SZA.[30] Instrumentation includes airy guitar in the stripped-back ballad "You Don't Know Me" and an alluring saxophone solo on "Unloyal" with Ari Lennox, adding layers of bluesy texture.[8][12] The album integrates hip-hop influences through guest features, such as JT's confrontational rap on "Ex For A Reason," contrasting with the prevailing R&B ballads while maintaining a unified slow-simmering pace around 90-140 BPM across tracks.[12][31] Compared to her debut Over It, the production here evolves with more varied sonic elements, including contributions from The Neptunes on "Dat Right There," to deepen the emotional resonance without straying from trap-R&B roots.[12]Lyrical content
The lyrics of Still Over It are characterized by a direct, confessional style that lays bare Summer Walker's emotional experiences in failed relationships, drawing from personal turmoil including her breakup with producer London on da Track.[13][12] Walker employs raw, unfiltered language to confront issues like infidelity and ghosting, as seen in "Ex For A Reason," where she questions an ex's betrayal with lines that highlight dishonesty in partnerships.[5] In "No Love," the lyrics address being ignored and devalued, emphasizing self-worth through declarations like "All lust, there will be no loving you," underscoring a refusal to settle for superficial connections. Tried to act like I wasn’t good enough in your eyes / Funny now that you callin’, that you ringin’ my line.[13][12][32] A key motif across the album is repetition, which amplifies frustration and mimics the cyclical nature of relational conflicts, often adopting a conversational tone that feels like an intimate therapy session or direct confrontation. For instance, in "Broken Promises," Walker repeats "different, different, different" to mock an ex's empty assurances, creating a rhythmic insistence on unmet expectations.[13] This device extends to tracks like "Unloyal," where she interrogates disloyalty with pointed questions such as "I ain't takin' your shit today, no / I ain't takin' your shit tomorrow, no," fostering a dialogue-like intimacy that draws listeners into her vulnerability.[12][33] Walker co-wrote much of the material herself, infusing it with authentic introspection that avoids abstraction in favor of specific, lived grievances.[34] The album's lyrics explore the experiences of Black women in romantic entanglements, weaving in feminist undertones that challenge patriarchal dynamics and prioritize emotional autonomy. In "4th Baby Mama," Walker vents raw anger at parental neglect during pregnancy with lines like "How could you make me spend my whole fucking pregnancy alone?" and "I wanna start with your mama / She should’ve whooped your ass," critiquing not just individual failings but broader systemic letdowns in support for Black motherhood.[12][13] This track, among others, embodies a soft misandry akin to #MenAreTrash sentiments, resisting excuses for male behavior while affirming women's right to demand reciprocity and respect.[13] Throughout Still Over It, Walker avoids glorifying toxic cycles, instead emphasizing accountability to promote healing and growth. Songs like "Bitter" itemize misdeeds without romanticizing them, positioning the narrator as someone reclaiming agency by calling out infidelity and emotional unavailability.[13][12] This approach transforms personal pain into a cautionary narrative, as in "Ciara’s Prayer," where prayers for better partners underscore a commitment to self-accountability over repeated hurt.[12] The result is an album that uses lyrical precision to foster empowerment, aligning with R&B's tradition of voicing Black women's relational realities without endorsing dysfunction.[5]Release and promotion
Singles
"Ex for a Reason", featuring JT from City Girls, served as the lead single from Still Over It and was released on October 15, 2021. The track, produced by Sean Garrett, blends R&B with hip-hop elements, focusing on themes of dismissing ex-partners who remain fixated on past relationships. It debuted at number six on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and later peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single's artwork features Walker in a bold, colorful ensemble against a vibrant background, echoing the album's shift toward more dynamic and empowered visuals compared to her debut's introspective tone. A music video directed by David Camarena was released four days later on October 19, 2021, portraying Walker revitalizing a dull party with JT, symbolizing liberation from emotional baggage and tying directly into the album's narrative of moving forward. Reception was mixed, with praise for its catchy production and JT's energetic verse but criticism from some fans for deviating from Walker's signature melancholic sound; Walker addressed the backlash on social media, noting the label's decision in selecting it as the opener.[35][1][36][37] "Unloyal", featuring Ari Lennox, was released as a promotional single alongside the album on November 5, 2021, accompanied by a lyric video. The mid-tempo R&B track addresses infidelity and emotional unavailability in relationships. It later topped the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart in September 2022 and was certified gold by the RIAA in May 2023. Walker and Lennox performed the song at the 2021 Soul Train Music Awards.[38][39] Following the album's release, "No Love" featuring SZA was issued as the second official single on March 29, 2022, accompanied by an extended version adding a verse from Cardi B released on March 25. The song, co-written by Walker, SZA, Sean Garrett, and others, explores regret over defending unworthy partners, delivered in a smooth, mid-tempo R&B style with layered harmonies. It achieved greater commercial success, debuting at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100—Walker's highest-charting entry at the time—and number one on the Hot R&B Songs chart, where it held for several weeks. The single's artwork maintains the album's cohesive aesthetic with soft lighting and intimate portraits of the artists, emphasizing emotional vulnerability. An extended music video for the remix, directed by Lacey Duke, premiered on March 25, 2022, showcasing the trio in surreal, dreamlike sequences that reflect the track's themes of relational disillusionment and self-reflection, further integrating with Still Over It's overarching visual storytelling. Critics lauded the collaboration for its raw lyricism and vocal chemistry, hailing it as a standout R&B anthem of the year.[40][41][42][43] These singles' promotional rollout, including lyric videos and social media teasers, contributed to the broader marketing strategy without overshadowing live event tie-ins.[44]Marketing and live performances
Summer Walker announced Still Over It on October 5, 2021, through social media platforms, including a promotional trailer that featured teaser clips from the album's recording sessions.[45] The rollout included "Still Over It" listening parties in Atlanta, such as an exclusive final event at the Atlanta University Center for students from Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University, alongside advance sessions for contest-winning fans via her interactive "Summer’s Hard Drive" campaign. Virtual fan events were organized during Walker's maternity leave to maintain engagement with supporters.[46] In support of the album, Walker launched The Summer Walker Series tour in 2022, a limited engagement spanning 3 dates across U.S. cities: Houston on March 20, Chicago on March 31, and Irving on April 16, with setlists emphasizing tracks from Still Over It alongside selections from her debut album.[47][48] Merchandise tied to the album's themes was released through official channels, featuring breakup-themed apparel and vinyl bundles available for pre-order.[49]Critical reception
Reviews
Upon its release, Still Over It received widespread acclaim from music critics, who praised its emotional depth and narrative cohesion. On review aggregator Metacritic, the album earned a score of 85 out of 100, denoting "universal acclaim" based on eight critic reviews.[50] Pitchfork awarded the album 6.8 out of 10, commending Summer Walker's ability to convey emotional authenticity through relatable storytelling and melodrama, stating that her music possesses "the emotional intensity of a Real Housewives reunion" while cementing her as one of R&B's most compelling narrators.[12] Rolling Stone gave it 4 out of 5 stars (equivalent to 8.0 out of 10), highlighting its sultry and cathartic quality in processing toxic relationships and new beginnings, with Walker's vocal delivery providing a strong anchor for the introspective themes.[5] Reviewers frequently lauded the album's cohesive storytelling and Walker's vulnerable vocal performances, which captured the nuances of post-breakup recovery with raw honesty. For instance, Clash described it as delivering "Summer Walker's best work yet," blending brutality and romance in a way that evoked a full emotional spectrum.[51] Publications like Gigwise positioned it as a modern counterpart to SZA's Ctrl, emphasizing its vulnerability in contemporary R&B through sprawling, mellow explorations of heartbreak.[52] While largely positive, some critiques pointed to occasional repetitiveness in pacing and production, with the album's 20 tracks occasionally feeling bloated despite its strengths in confessional lyricism. HipHopDX noted that, despite elite execution in balancing personal vendettas with artistry, the length could dilute momentum in spots.[53] Overall, critics viewed Still Over It as a significant evolution for Walker, solidifying her role in advancing emotionally resonant R&B.Year-end lists and accolades
Still Over It appeared on numerous critics' year-end lists for 2021, reflecting its strong reception within the R&B landscape. The album ranked No. 5 on Time's list of the 10 best albums of the year, praised for its romantic melodrama and Walker's vocal delivery.[54] It placed No. 7 on Complex's best albums ranking, noted for breaking records and solidifying Walker's status as a leading R&B voice.[55] Additionally, it was included in Billboard's 50 Best Albums of 2021 at No. 17, highlighting its emotional depth and commercial breakthrough.[56] Beyond rankings, Still Over It garnered over 20 inclusions across major critic year-end lists, demonstrating its widespread influence and dominance in contemporary R&B.[57] This collective recognition underscored the album's role in advancing personal storytelling in the genre, with placements in outlets like Variety (No. 9), The New York Times (No. 6), and NPR Music's 50 Best.[58] The album received several award nominations in 2022, affirming its cultural resonance. Walker earned a nomination for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist at the BET Awards. At the Soul Train Awards, Walker was nominated for Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, alongside Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige.[59][60] Walker also received a nomination for Favorite R&B Album at the American Music Awards, further cementing the project's acclaim.Commercial performance
Chart positions
Still Over It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart dated November 20, 2021, earning 166,000 album-equivalent units and marking Summer Walker's first chart-topping album.[1] The album also debuted at number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[1] Internationally, Still Over It reached a peak of number five on the UK Albums Chart, spending a total of five weeks on the listing.[61] It also peaked at number four on the Canadian Albums Chart and number seven on the Australian Albums Chart. The album's debut was driven by strong streaming performance, generating 201.1 million on-demand audio streams in the United States during its first week, the largest streaming week for an R&B album by a female artist that year.[1] It also set an Apple Music record for the biggest debut week for an R&B album and the largest album launch by a female artist on the platform.[62]| Chart (2021) | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| Billboard 200 (US) | 1 | — |
| Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (US) | 1 | — |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 5 | 5 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard) | 4 | — |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) | 7 | — |
Sales and certifications
Still Over It achieved significant commercial success upon its release, debuting with 166,000 album-equivalent units in the United States during its first week, marking the largest debut week for an R&B album by a female artist since 2016.[1] This total comprised 153,000 streaming equivalent albums (from 201.1 million on-demand streams), 12,000 in pure album sales, and 1,000 track equivalent albums.[10] By October 1, 2024, the album was certified platinum by the RIAA in the United States, representing 1,000,000 certified units. Internationally, Still Over It received a silver certification from the BPI in the United Kingdom on April 7, 2023, for 60,000 units sold.[63] As of June 2025, the album had surpassed 1 billion total streams on Spotify, bolstered by key track placements on editorial playlists such as RapCaviar and Today's Top Hits; by November 2025, streams exceeded 1.2 billion.[64] Physical sales saw renewed interest through limited-edition vinyl reissues, including a 2023 U.S. edition that contributed to subsequent sales spikes amid growing collector demand for R&B vinyl formats.[65]Track listing and credits
Track listing
The standard edition of Still Over It consists of 20 tracks with a total runtime of 61:47.[66]| No. | Title | Featured artist(s) | Duration | Writer(s) | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Bitter" (narration by Cardi B) | Cardi B | 4:41 | Summer Walker, Belcalis Almanzar | London on da Track |
| 2 | "Ex for a Reason" | JT | 3:45 | Summer Walker, Jatavia Johnson | Cardiak, T-Minus |
| 3 | "No Love" | SZA | 3:51 | Summer Walker, Solána Rowe | Omen, Summer Walker |
| 4 | "Throw It Away" | 2:31 | Summer Walker | London on da Track | |
| 5 | "Reciprocate" | 3:02 | Summer Walker | Active By Night | |
| 6 | "You Don't Know Me" | 3:20 | Summer Walker | Summer Walker | |
| 7 | "Circus" | 2:12 | Summer Walker | Boobie | |
| 8 | "Insane" | 3:09 | Summer Walker | J. White Did It | |
| 9 | "Constant Bullshit" | 3:17 | Summer Walker, Sean Garrett | London on da Track, Boobie | |
| 10 | "Switch a Nigga Out" | 2:57 | Summer Walker | 9th Wonder | |
| 11 | "Unloyal" | Ari Lennox | 3:27 | Summer Walker, Ari Lennox | Dreamville |
| 12 | "Closure" | 2:11 | Summer Walker | Summer Walker | |
| 13 | "Toxic" | Lil Durk | 4:26 | Summer Walker, Durk Banks | Quay Global |
| 14 | "Dat Right There" | Pharrell Williams | 3:10 | Summer Walker, Pharrell Williams | The Neptunes |
| 15 | "Screwin" | Omarion | 5:33 | Summer Walker, Omari Grandberry | Blxst |
| 16 | "Broken Promises" | 3:03 | Summer Walker | London on da Track | |
| 17 | "Session 33" | 2:07 | Summer Walker | Summer Walker | |
| 18 | "4th Baby Mama (Prelude)" | 1:15 | Summer Walker | ||
| 19 | "4th Baby Mama" | 3:45 | Summer Walker | Cardiak | |
| 20 | "Ciara's Prayer" | Ciara | 1:54 | Summer Walker, Ciara Princess Harris |
Personnel
Summer Walker performed lead vocals on all tracks.[3] Vocalists and featured artists:- Cardi B – narration (track 1)[3]
- JT (of City Girls) – vocals (track 2)[3]
- SZA – vocals (track 3)[3]
- Ari Lennox – vocals (track 11)[68]
- Lil Durk – vocals (track 13)[68]
- Pharrell Williams – vocals (track 14)[68]
- Omarion – vocals (track 15)[68]
- Ciara – narration (track 20)[66]
- Sean Garrett – executive producer[69]
- London on da Track – producer (tracks 1, 4, 9, 16)[66]
- The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams) – producers (track 14)[66]
- Blxst – producer (track 15)[70]