Some of the most powerful music comes from the work artists hesitate to share. That’s the case with Issues/Fight, the new single by international performing queer pop/soul artist Mikelyrik, which nearly stayed locked away. Too personal, too revealing, too raw—until it wasn’t. What we’re left with is not just a song but a confessional, where vulnerability becomes strength and every note carries the weight of lived experience.
Produced by Sean Michael Rogers, Issues/Fight weaves 90s R&B nostalgia with sleek modern textures, creating a sound that feels both familiar and deeply personal. Mikelyrik’s lyricism—true to his name—is sharp, soulful, and emotionally articulate. The layered harmonies in the bridge don’t just sound good—they hurt good, fracturing and reassembling as they echo the tug-of-war between love and self-worth.
What sets Issues/Fight apart is its refusal to clean up the messiness. There are no easy answers here, no neat resolutions. Instead, Mikelyrik delivers an honest portrayal of queer Black love: its intensity, its conflict, and its courage. Rather than leaning on overused empowerment tropes, he chooses honesty over polish—and that choice lands with quiet power.
Musically, the track balances smooth groove with deep introspection. It’s headphone music, no doubt—best appreciated through the crisp mix by John Zych, where background vocals whisper like inner thoughts and subtle shifts in tone speak volumes. Still, there’s enough lift in the production to imagine this blaring from a Pride parade float or late-night rooftop party.
With a video directed by Roger Omeus Jr. on the way and surprise performances in the works, Issues/Fight feels like more than a single—it’s a statement. Not a soapbox speech, but a diary entry sung out loud. It marks both a breakthrough moment and a return to form for Mikelyrik: the sound of an artist fully stepping into his truth, refusing to shrink.
Because sometimes, the songs we fear to release are exactly the ones that set us free.
Stream Issues/Fight now and follow @mikelyrik for upcoming performance drops and music video updates.
