Rising R&B Star Jane Handcock’s third album, “It’s Me, Not You,” is a compilation of R&B, Soul, Funk, and storytelling lyrics.
This one is for the kickback, cookout, or just riding around in the city. The album put me in a nostalgic mood. It reminded me of that Lauryn Hill, De’Angelo, Erykah Badu era.
Hancock is no stranger to the music scene, as a writer, she has collaborated with R&B greats such as Kelly Rowland and Raphael Saadiq.
This album also features collaborations with BJ the Chicago Kid, Snoop Dogg, and Anderson Paak.
You can clearly hear Handcock’s church roots in the way some of her songs are arranged — from the rich background vocals to the soulful chords and rhythmic choices.
One standout track, “That’s All I Need,” carries a distinct gospel quartet vibe. Lyrically, it speaks to the power of having that one special person by your side. Whether the world is falling apart or you’re going through your lowest moments, the message is simple and heartfelt: as long as you have that person, nothing else matters.
This sentiment resonates deeply, especially in today’s world where so many are facing real struggles — economic hardship, family challenges, relationship turmoil, health issues, and financial strain. Life feels heavy for a lot of people right now, and this song offers a comforting reminder of what truly counts. This song gave me hope and calmness. At the end of the day, sometimes all you have is your lover, family, and friends.
“Stare at Me” features Anderson Paak and gives Disco, R&B, and Soul vibes. And it reminds you of summer. Imagine being out and just dancing and having a good time,and someone is giving you that side eye, but in a good way. You know they’re looking and you’re enjoying the attention- that’s what this song feels like.
I think my favorite is “Good Ta Me,” it has a modern R&B/Neo Soul vibe. Hancock pours her heart lyrically and vocally in this song. She sings about giving her best to the right person. She says “she can’t be the best person, “just be good to me.”
“If you use your heart/then you’ll see/ You never got to lie to/Just be good to me/I know real people kind of rare/And it’s hard to believe/I know it’s hard to believe it”
It’s hard to trust when sparking a new love or relationship, and that’s what this song is about. It drives home that fact, but also explores the concept of opening up to love.
I really enjoyed listening to this album. As a matter of fact, I listened several times. Hancock has a velvet voice- it’s smooth, classic, and modern at the same time. She even gives a dose of spoken word in her songs, speaking the lyrics.
If you’re looking for music about love and relationships but still want to dance and catch a happy vibe, this is the one.
To listen to Jane Handcock’s “ It’s Me, Not You,” click below: and let us know hat you think in the comments.
ABOUT JANE HANDCOCK
R&B artist Jane Handcock is known for her plainspoken lyricism and a versatile voice that sounds natural whether over throwback soul, progressive R&B, electro, or reggae, among other styles.
She got her start co-writing songs with former classmate Adrian Marcel. She established a long-term association with legend and fellow Oakland native Raphael Saadiq, who presented her first two albums, Truth Be Told (2016) and Truth Explains a Lot (2017).
Following a stint with Def Jam that yielded a couple of singles, Handcock settled in with Snoop Dogg and Death Row, delivering World of Women (2023) amid outside work that included a showcase on the soundtrack of The Color Purple.
All along, Handcock has juggled writing for other artists and herself. By the time she released “I Can’t Recall It” (2024), her list of collaborators included the likes of Kelly Rowland, Big K.R.I.T., and Killer Mike.
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