The cover of Ella Mai’s third album, Do You Still Love Me?, is nothing short of intentional, showing Mai pulling back the blinds on herself, something she’s been doing sonically since her debut in 2014. Paired with the album’s neutral, pared-back aesthetics, it encourages listeners to focus on the lyricism, an element where Ella flourishes.

One of the album’s softest moments is “Somebody’s Son.” With its rippling synth stint and harmony-centric instrumental, the almost four-minute number is utterly gorgeous. “Little Things,” which originally featured on her 3 EP, sees her reciting her love languages. “Outside” is a modern-day love story: “If that phone light up, say the word and I’m there.” The ending is ethereal with Mai’s vocals stacked up over an expansive piano and violin instrumental.

On “Luckiest Man,” she plays with one-liners like “Act like you know that I’m the one you need” and “Damn they don’t make ‘em like me.” Buried 10 tracks deep is “Tell Her,” which samples Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name.” Mai commands “Tell her you love me, put no one above me / Say my name, say my name.”  Each chorus starts with a declaration: “Cause when I love I love hard.” It’s safe to say that this album proves just that.