There’s something deliciously ironic about releasing a song about wanting to be wanted on the most commercially romantic day of the year. Miné‘ s “Crave.” lands like a truth bomb in the middle of Valentine’s Day’s usual saccharine offerings, and thank god for that.
The Miami-based artist, fresh off completing dual master’s degrees (including one from Japan’s Keio University), brings an intellectual edge to what could have been just another yearning pop song. Instead, “Crave.” feels like the soundtrack to every late-night conversation about why dating feels like navigating a minefield of superficial connections.
Following the path carved by her previous singles “TMLA” and “Born, Not Raised,” Miné continues to demonstrate her gift for cultural synthesis. Her Nigerian roots and global perspective (she casually speaks four languages, by the way) infuse the track with a worldliness that elevates it beyond typical pop fare.
What’s fascinating about “Crave.” is how it manages to be both a critique and a celebration of desire in the digital age. In a musical landscape where vulnerability often feels manufactured, Miné‘s approach hits different – it’s the sound of someone who’s done their homework on both love and life, and isn’t afraid to show their work. The timing of the release feels less like a marketing play and more like a subversive act, turning Valentine’s Day’s commercial excess into a platform for authentic expression.