Surrealist blues poet aja monet has announced her sophomore album the color of rain, arriving May 22 via drink sum wtr.

The announcement comes alongside a new single, titled “elsewhere”, with a music video directed by Jesse Boykins III. The song features contributions from Georgia Anne Muldrow, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Novena Carmel.

Watch the video below:

According to a press release, monet dedicates “elsewhere” to the late Sly Stone. She explains:

“We were in the studio working on the album and learned of his death. Meshell told me to go home and write something not in memoriam but in homage. The next day we started working on the song and it was like he was in the room with us. Everything came together in divine timing. I had already reached out to Novena Carmel and also Georgia Anne Muldrow, but they both responded the same day and joined us. The song reminds me of our love for one another and the portal of possibility.”

monet is also bringing a singular live show to New York City’s Carnegie Hall Theater. The show will take place at the Zankel Hall on May 20.

the color of rain is out May 22. Preorder here. Tracklist below:

1. say it with your chest
2. elsewhere (feat. Meshell Ndegeocello & Georgia Anne Muldrow)
3. withness
4. hollyweird
5. skinfolk
6. for the Congo
7. i came to the poem
8. to sister (feat. Ganavya & Brandee Younger)
9. i know that i don’t know
10. working class musicians
11. love is chosing (feat. Mereba)
12. song of myself
13. melting clocks (feat. Mick Jenkins & Vic Mensa)
14. every media minute
15. indigo

aja monet Live:

05/20 New York City, NY @ Carnegie Hall