J. Cole has shared a new song from his upcoming album The Off-Season. The new album is out May 14, and the new song “i n t e r l u d e” is out now. Cole produced the track with T-Minus and T. Parker.
The track, J. Cole’s first single from The Off-Season, features a classic soul sample and head-nodding drums. With a light swing, the track has an unimpeachable groove that Cole floats over.
The track proves that Cole is still at the height of his powers and one of the best pure lyricists in the game. He raps, “Through hard times, it was there I discovered a hustle/And makin’ the best out the struggle/I kept grindin’ ’til this day, up a level/Respect mine, gotta stay out of trouble.”
The superstar rapper and label boss has kept fans entertained with new music since his last full-length, 2018’s KOD. Back in July of 2020, Cole released a two-song set, Lewis Street, which included “The Climb Back” and “Lion King on Ice.” Back when Cole released Lewis Street, details around a new album were still vague.
“No date for the new album yet, taking my time, still finishing,” J. Cole wrote on Instagram. His manager, Ibrahim “IB” Hamad previously stated that no album was coming “soon,” while Cole dropped hints with a satirical campaign ad telling fans to “Vote for The Fall Off in 2020,” that dropped back in November at the Day N Vegas festival.
“i n t e r l u d e,” the first taste of The Off-Season, follows “The Climb Back” and “Lion King on Ice,” the first new songs the Dreamville boss has released since his single, “Snow on Tha Bluff.” Following the release of KOD, Cole appeared as a guest on songs by Gang Starr, Young Thug, Cordae, Big K.R.I.T., and more.
He also helmed the Dreamville compilation Revenge of The Dreamers III, which featured Kendrick Lamar, Vince Staples, J.I.D, Young Nudy, DaBaby, EarthGang, Smino, and T.I., among others. Rumors of new music from Cole have been circulating for a few years, but with the release of “i n t e r l u d e,” it’s clear that Cole has upped the stakes with The Off-Season.
