See Maxwell’s Steamy, Falsetto-Laden ‘1990x’ Video

R&B singer Maxwell returned in July with his first album since 2009. His reemergence was warmly received. His new single “Lake By The Ocean” has spent multiple weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart. Its follow-up, “1990x,” was written by Maxwell with his longtime collaborator Hod David. The track climbed to No. 17 on the same chart. 

Philip Andelman directed the video for “1990x,” which begins with Maxwell issuing sultry entreaties in an opulent backdrop. A hot tub, booze and dimmed lighting set the scene of the seriously sensual R&B video. “Lay here closely beside me/ Feel my heart as it’s pounded,” Maxwell sings. “We will climax with reason/ ‘Cause we’re grown and we own it.”

The singer’s falsetto-laden hook rings out as the visual pivots to car exhaust steaming out of a tailpipe. As the visual comes to a close, the singer’s face gets lost in a mysterious fog.