Crystal Tamar Preps New EP with ‘Playtime’
From Her Upcoming EP "This Changes Everything."
One of our favorites, R&B singer Crystal Tamar draws inspiration from an unexpected love story on her new single, “Playtime.”
Produced by Grammy Award-winning Young Fyre, the track blends classic 90s R&B influences with some of Crystal‘s most powerful vocals to date.
Selected as one of UB‘s Standout Tracks, on First Listen.
Co-written with artist and songwriter Corey Mekell, “Playtime” tells the story of Crystal‘s realization that everything she thought she wanted in a lifelong partner changed when she met the man who would become her husband.
“I was pretty sure that I had my future all planned out and knew what I wanted in a lifelong partner,” Crystal recalls. “And skkrrtt — real love showed up and changed everything! Turns out I was playing around all along.”
The song took shape during a spring 2025 studio session when Young Fyre asked Crystal how she met her husband.
Their conversation sparked a collaboration that paired intimate, emotionally driven lyrics with sweeping violins, dramatic keys and layered vocal harmonies reminiscent of 90s R&B groups such as Jodeci.
“Playtime” also marks a shift from the playful confidence of Crystal‘s lead single, “Whachoo Doin?!” While that track delivered an assertive take on modern dating, the new release explores the vulnerability of finding love when and where it is least expected.
The ballad also showcases a vocal range Crystal says she has traditionally reserved for gospel performances, bringing a new level of vocal intensity to her solo recordings.
“Playtime” is the second single from Crystal‘s sophomore EP, “This Changes Everything,” expected in November. The project follows her self-titled 2019 debut, which featured the singles “Nowhere,” “U Gon Love Me” and “Serenade.”
UB spoke to Crystal for the release of he new EP, she shared; “I went through a lot from last album to this one. Just a lot of growth, spiritually, mentally, physically. And I look at life through a different lens these days. It’s [music] a much more realistic, authentic perspective.”
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