iheardasongtoday vol 1: ShaelaSoul "Parked Car Converations"
- themsqshop
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
iheardasongtoday is a new editorial series from theMSQshop, created to break down albums, singles, EPs, and music videos in a way that feels true to the music itself. Written from the perspective of someone who wants to understand the art rather than chasing whatever is trending this week, it is about really living with the songs, playing them on good days and bad ones, in the car, in the kitchen, and in headphones late at night, then pulling them apart to see what sticks.
The goal is to capture the moments that make you stop what you are doing, the lines that stay in your head long after the song ends, and the subtle production choices that keep you hitting replay. Every project gets the same treatment: a deep dive into its sound, its story, and those flashes of magic that remind you why music matters.
ShaelaSoul’s Parked Car Conversations unfolds like a late-night drive through familiar streets, headlights dim, the kind of ride where the conversation matters just as much as the destination. It is soulful and confident, rooted in R&B tradition while still taking small, thoughtful steps forward. Across its run, the project moves from smooth seduction to reflective honesty. Sultry.
The opening skit could have introduced the album’s idea a little more, maybe with a radio playing or a quick conversation to set the scene. That’s just a personal preference and it has no bearing on the review itself. In my view, if you add anything to the final product, it should be absolutely necessary.
“Green Light” arrives as the perfect introduction to her voice and vision. Shae slips between vocal textures with ease, her melodies understated but deliberate, and her lyrics full of metaphorical storytelling. The song builds anticipation while hinting that we already know where this is going, and as a lead single it strikes the right balance between mainstream appeal and narrative momentum. Watch the music video here.
“Let’s Ride” is what I’d hand over if someone asked me what R&B should feel like. It’s sensual and romantic but still has that everyday, real-life intimacy to it. It takes me back to when I first started dating my wife, I was still living like a bachelor, but I’d pull up on her all hours of the day and night just because I couldn’t get enough of her. The smooth production and soulful vocals capture that rush perfectly. This one has insane replay value and, if I were Shae, I’d wear it like a badge of Richmond pride.
Then comes “Phone Bone,” a burst of energy that blends Erykah Badu’s spirit with the bounce and eccentricity of late-90s Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott. The groove is immediate, the hook infectious, and the whole thing feels like a playful time warp that manages to stay fresh. It is nostalgic without leaning into imitation, the sort of track that could live on TikTok or the radio and still keep its personality intact. It is also the most addictive song on the project, the one that pulls you back for another listen before the record is even over.
The title track, “Crashing Out” feels personal and is a unique way to close the project. It is open-ended but not like we have lost the map, more like parking somewhere with the story still in motion. As an outro, I usually like things to be introspective or recollective, and this does that, but the sudden tonal shift from the bounce of “Phone Bone” is jarring. It feels like we were headed in one direction and then made a quick left into a more stressed and unsettled space. If this is meant to be a concept EP, a couple of tracks between these moments could have filled in the story and made the ending feel more connected. Still, the song itself is strong and leaves the door open for a continuation.
Now, do not expect me to break down every track on every project. This one was short enough to really get into the thick of it. In my opinion, Parked Car Conversations is a concise but layered body of work that thrives on Shae’s vocal range, incredible songwriting, and ability to balance classic and contemporary R&B elements. Although the risk level here isn’t extreme, you don’t have to push to the edge if you can make tracks like this. Even with moments where the cohesion could be stronger, the songs themselves are undeniable, and the project’s best tracks have the kind of staying power that makes them worth returning to. I’ll definitely be recommending this for the next
few months.
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Written by Will
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