Away Message is the third extended play by American singer Ari Lennox. It was released on August 31, 2022, by Dreamville and Interscope Records.[1] The EP includes production from Elite, Dallas Austin, OG Parker, Deputy, DZL, and Ron Gilmore, among others.[2]

Away Message
EP by
ReleasedAugust 31, 2022 (2022-08-31)
Recorded2020–2022
Genre
Length14:14
Label
Producer
Ari Lennox chronology
Shea Butter Baby (Remix EP)
(2020)
Away Message
(2022)
Age/Sex/Location
(2022)

Background

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On August 31, she released the promotional single "Queen Space" featuring Summer Walker.[3] Later that day, she released a surprise 5-track EP called Away Message, including songs that were recorded for the album but did not make the final cut.[4][5]

Critical reception

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Craig Jenkins of Vulture said "Lennox set the tone for the new album with Away Message, a short EP released in late August. The jazzy deep cut "No Settling" makes the most of a dire situation — 'I have options, but they garbage, so I'd rather be free'—in the same way the album takes stock of the men in the singer's orbit and frequently opts out of any further engagement."[6] SoulBounce wrote about the EP breaking down the songs saying "Queen Space" "sets the bar high for the rest of the EP. Ari and Summer have already shown their chemistry on "Unloyal". "Tatted" and "Gummy" "sound straight outta the '90s R&B archives yet fresh and new. [...] On "No Settling" as she realizes that she needs more than she's being offered. She even goes so far to spell it out to anyone who doesn't understand her plight. That discontent carries over into "Bitter."[7]

Track listing

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Away Message track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Queen Space" (with Summer Walker)
  • Dre Pickney
  • Elite
  • Ron Gilmore
3:50
2."Tatted"
  • Salter
  • Dallas Austin
  • Terrence Williams
  • Joshua Parker
  • John Homen
  • Oscar Leo-Christensen
2:57
3."Gummy"
  • Salter
  • Anthony Parrino
  • Jai'Len Josey
  • Elite
  • Deputy
2:22
4."No Settling"
  • Salter
  • Michael Holmes
  • Julius Noah Maria Herold
  • Breahna Morgan
  • Isak Gidgard
  • DZL
  • Str8cash
  • Darko
2:10
5."Bitter"
  • Salter
  • Parrino
  • Arrow Brown
  • Elite
2:55
Total length:14:14

References

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  1. ^ "Ari Lennox shares new EP Away Message". The Fader.
  2. ^ "Stream Ari Lennox's New Surprise EP Away Message". Stereogum.
  3. ^ "Ari Lennox Drops Surprise EP 'Away Message' Featuring Summer Walker Collab "Queen Space" (Update)". Complex.
  4. ^ "Ari Lennox Drops Surprise EP, 'Away Message,' Ahead Of New Album". Vibe.
  5. ^ "Ari Lennox Drops 'age/sex/location' Appetizer, the 'Away Message' EP". Okay Player.
  6. ^ "Ari Lennox Knows Exactly What She Wants". Vulture.
  7. ^ "Ari Lennox Releases Unexpected EP 'Away Message' While We Await New Album 'age/sex/location'". Soulbounce.