We Need to Talk (Keri Hilson album)

As early as 2011, Hilson had shared that she had been working on a third album, but no release occurred.^[3] In 2016, a press release announced that the album would be called L.I.A.R and would be preceded by a single called "Again". Hilson said the press release was only partly correct, and that the album was not yet ready for release, but that there was a song on it called "Again".^[4] In a 2016 Billboard article celebrating the success of their production "Oui" for Jeremih, producers Needlz & Donut teased an "80s-infused" potential single for a forthcoming Hilson album, which was subsequently shelved.^[5]

In March 2025, Hilson posted a series of videos on Instagram, opining on her return to the music industry, "I just don't want to put my life or my art in the hands of people who don't give a fuck about me [...] The thing is, I don’t fear being human — I love being human in my own hands. I fear being human in their hands [...] I’d love nothing more than to release this incredible music I've been 'sitting on. There have been so many blockages I have constantly fought myself to not directly speak about".^[6] Upon the announcement of We Need to Talk's imminent release and tracklisting, Hilson shared, "I have music to last for a very long time. The hardest thing was figuring out what kind of projects I want to put out after this. I'm inspired by different stuff every couple of years. But I got plenty of music to work with in the near future. I expect to flood the market. That's what I want to do."^[7]

The album was released by Hilson's own label Audible Art Club, in partnership with Create Music Group.^[8] Two additional parts of the album are expected to follow: We Need to Talk: Drama and We Need to Talk: Redemption.^[9]

Singles

On March 27, 2025, Hilson released the album's first single, "Bae".^[10] She announced the album title and tracklist on the same day.^[11][12] The single samples Hurricane Chris's 2007 single "A Bay Bay".^[13] The album's second single, "Say That", was released on April 21, 2025, accompanied by an official visualizer.^[14] On August 13, Hilson released the music video for the album track "Searchin" featuring Method Man.^[15]

After the release of the second part of the album, We Need to Talk: Drama, Hilson released the single "Again", on November 5, 2025. An official music video, directed by Tamara Bass, was released the same day.^[16]

Interviews

On April 9, 2025, Hilson appeared on The Breakfast Club to discuss her new album and her return to the music industry.^[17][18]

Summarize Fact Check

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[19]

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies an additional producer

Sample credits

• "Searchin" contains a sample of "Victory", as performed by Puff Daddy, Notorious B.I.G and Busta Rhymes.
• "Bae" contains a sample of "A Bay Bay", as performed by Hurricane Chris.