We Need to Talk: Love

As early as 2011, Hilson had shared she had been working on a third album, but no release occurred.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/10/25/keri-hilson-channels-emotions-on-third-album/|title=Keri Hilson Channels Emotions on Third Album|work=Rap-Up|date=October 25, 2011|access-date=April 3, 2025|archive-date=March 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302191442/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/10/25/keri-hilson-channels-emotions-on-third-album/|url-status=live}} In 2016, a press release anounounced the album would be called L.I.A.R and would be preceded by a single called "Again". Hilson said the press release was only partly correct, and that the album was not yet ready for release but there was a song on it called "Again".{{cite web|title=Keri Hilson Announces New album L.I.A.R.|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2016/03/14/keri-hilson-announces-new-album-liar/|website=Rap-Up|access-date=April 3, 2025|archive-date=March 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315035144/http://www.rap-up.com/2016/03/14/keri-hilson-announces-new-album-liar/|url-status=live}}

In March 2025, Hilson posted a series of videos on Instagram, opining on her return to the music industry, "I just don’t want to put my life or my art in the hands of people who don't give a fuck about me [...] The thing is, I don’t fear being human — I love being human in my own hands. I fear being human in their hands [...] I’d love nothing more than to release this incredible music I’ve been ‘sitting on. There have been so many blockages I have constantly fought myself to not directly speak about".{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/treyalston/keri-hilson-music-return|title=Keri Hilson Opens Up About Returning to Music In New Videos|website=Complex|last=Alston|first=Trey|date=March 23, 2025|access-date=April 5, 2025}} Upon the announcement of We Need to Talk's imminent release and tracklisting, Hilson shared, "I have music to last for a very long time. The hardest thing was figuring out what kind of projects I want to put out after this. I'm inspired by different stuff every couple of years. But I got plenty of music to work with in the near future. I expect to flood the market. That's what I want to do."{{cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/keri-hilson-readies-we-need-to-talk-album-with-sexy-single-bae|title=Keri Hilson dives into an intoxicating love on “Bae” ahead of new album ‘We Need to Talk|website=RetroTV|last=Velasquez|first=Angelina|date=March 29, 2025|access-date=April 3, 2025}}

On March 27, 2025, Hilson released the album's first single, "Bae".{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/1lMrLVcI9nAzojf1TmFd1O?si=e67a8a1756cd4445|title=Keri Hilson - Bae|website=Spotify|date=March 27, 2025|access-date=April 2, 2025}} She announced the album title and tracklist on the same day.{{cite web|url=https://ratedrnb.com/2025/03/keri-hilson-new-song-bae-we-need-to-talk-tracklist/|title=Keri Hilson Shares New Song ‘Bae,’ Unveils ‘We Need To Talk’ Album Tracklist|website=Rated R&B|last=Samuels|first=Keithan|date=March 28, 2025|access-date=April 3, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/reviews/amerie-keri-hilson-ari-lennox-new-rnb-1235057649/|title=Amerie, Keri Hilson, Ari Lennox, And More New R&B That Feels Like The Early 2000s|website=Vibe|last=Abraham|first=Mya|date=March 28, 2025|access-date=April 2, 2025}} The single samples Hurricane Chris's 2007 single "A Bay Bay".{{cite web|url=https://youknowigotsoul.com/keri-hilson-returns-with-new-single-bae#google_vignette|title=Keri Hilson Returns With New Single “Bae”|website=You Know I Got Soul|date=March 30, 2025|access-date=April 3, 2025}}

On April 9, 2025, Hilson appeared on The Breakfast Club to discuss her new album and her return to the music industry.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynbKdD-HnME|title=Keri Hilson On Returning To The Spotlight, Public Relationships, Beyoncé Backlash + More|website=YouTube|date=April 9, 2025|access-date=April 10, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/keri-hilson-beyonce-regret-diss-track-2009-polow-da-don-1235943005/|title=Keri Hilson Expresses Regret Over Dissing Beyoncé in 2009: ‘I Did Not Want to Do That’|website=Billboard|last=Saponara|first=Michael|date=April 9, 2025|access-date=April 10, 2025}}

{{Track listing

| headline = We Need to Talk: LOVE track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 33:12

| title1 = Grateful

| note1 = Intro

| writer1 = Keri Hilson

| length1 = 1:04

| title2 = Naked (Love)

| writer2 = {{hlist|Hilson|Tiffany Fred|Floyd Hills}}

| extra2 = Danja

| length2 = 4:14

| title3 = Searchin

| note3 = featuring Method Man

| writer3 = {{hlist|Hilson||James Washington|Clifford Smith|Hills}}

| extra3 = Danja

| length3 = 4:15

| title4 = Somethin (Bout U)

| writer4 = {{hlist|Hilson|Fred|Khari Cain|Brandon Bell|Kevin Randolph}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Needlz|Donut|Randolph}}

| length4 = 6:13

| title5 = Bae

| writer5 = {{hlist|Hilson|Chris Dooley Jr.|Clay West|Earl Williams|Edsel Alexander III|Keith Thomas|Kortney Leveringston|Lakesha Watson|Melvin Hough II|Rivelino Raoul Wouter}}

| extra5 = Mel & Mus

| length5 = 2:56

| title6 = Scream

| writer6 = {{hlist|Hilson|Fred|Manzur Zafr}}

| extra6 = Zafr

| length6 = 4:44

| title7 = Whatever

| writer7 = {{hlist|Chris Brown|Robert Allen|Andre Merritt}}

| length7 = 3:36

| title8 = Weigh Me Down

| writer8 = {{hlist|Hilson|Denisia Andrews|Brittany Coney|Kyle Coleman|Ramir Vincent|Brandon Sewell}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Tec Beatz|John Webb Jr.{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length8 = 3:18

| title9 = Say That

| writer9 = {{hlist|Hilson|Jaquetta Singleton|Andre Harris}}

| extra9 = Dre Harris

| length9 = 2:58

}}

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies an additional producer

Sample credits

• "Bae" contains a sample of "A Bay Bay", as performed by Hurricane Chris.

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Keri Hilson}}

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Category:2025 albums

Category:Keri Hilson albums