Calyn Finds Strength in Vulnerability on ‘Better Left Unsaid’

Stockton-based R&B artist Calyn has never been afraid to be honest in her music — but her latest EP, Better Left Unsaid, is the most personal she’s ever been. Rooted in introspection, the project explores emotional healing, creative agency, and the unspoken truths we carry inside.

Speaking on the EP’s title, Calyn explains, “I came up with the title Better Left Unsaid with only two of the five songs complete, and it was one of the only assets that was set in stone for the project from the jump.” Inspired by Blxst’s tour title strategy and driven by her own desire for emotional clarity, Calyn envisioned a name that would extend beyond just the music. “I’ve always told myself that all things I feel are ‘Better Left Unsaid.’”

Visually, the concept extends to the striking cover art, which depicts Calyn in a therapy session — as both patient and therapist. It’s an image that resonates deeply with the project’s themes. “Expressing my feelings and thoughts to anyone but myself has always been a struggle for me, and this EP is a direct representation of that,” she says.

Interestingly, Better Left Unsaid also echoes the five stages of grief — though Calyn didn’t plan it that way. “Truthfully, when I first made that comparison to the EP, I had no clue that that one sentence would have such an impact on how my audience would view my work,” she admits. “The way it played out so naturally was why I felt like it was worth mentioning in the first place.”

From a creative standpoint, the EP marks a major turning point. “In comparison to my earlier releases, my confidence in my own lyrics carries this project,” she explains. “From the first song to the fifth, I knew I had found a different side of myself as an artist.”

That growth is mirrored in her ability to take the reins. “I’m capable of taking the control I’ve been given and making it into something that I’m proud of,” she reflects. “By no means am I able to do what I do alone, but this time around, the reins were placed in my hands, and I succeeded at bringing my ideas to life.”

Now, Calyn is ready to push further. She’s exploring new genres, sounds, and moods with the same emotional openness that defines Better Left Unsaid. “Ideally, I want to become a more well-versed artist,” she says. “So in the near future, I hope to become more experimental with my releases.”