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Mya is back with a brand new album, and to hear the Grammy-winning singer tell it, she’s using this release to let loose — and to encourage others to do the same.
Retrospect was released May 15 and was “inspired by the pioneers of the late Seventies and Eighties funk era,” the singer tells Rolling Stone. Her first album in eight years, Mya says that while her last two albums were “more rooted in slow jams and mid-tempos,” Retrospect finds her “ready to dance, have fun, and sprinkle some joy.”
Fans are also no doubt excited to have the “Best of Me” singer back, with the new album coming on the heels of her stint as an opening act on Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” tour last fall. With nostalgia back in full force, Mya says the timing feels right to be performing again.
“After all of these years, it’s still fun [to perform], and having a catalog that was a part of some core memories certainly helps,” she reflects. “There seems to be a resurgence of nostalgia, which could be attributed to the desire to retreat to simpler, and often more present, joyous times.”
NEW RELEASE
Retrospect
You can download or stream the album now on Amazon.
Outside of music, fans are also following Mya’s vegan journey, with the singer often sharing favorite foods and products with her 2.4 million followers on Instagram. “In the midst of adopting a vegan diet, I’d of course begun acquiring lots of information about the harsh truth of cruelty that occurs in not just the production of food, but in fashion and products,” she shares. “From a place of awareness and alignment, I then began making conscious, compassionate choices in fashion, shoes, handbags, luggage, home decor, skin care, makeup, jewelry, etc. Now,” she says, “it’s a lifestyle.”
Here, Mya shares some of her favorite vegan snacks, sustainable fashion items, and clean beauty products that have become part of everyday essentials.
Gimme Seaweed Organic Roasted Seaweed Snacks
12-count variety pack
“Light, crispy, and packed with nutrients, these are the perfect guilt-free snack,” Mya says. “[They are] low calorie, mineral-rich, and full of umami flavor that satisfies salty cravings without the heaviness.”
Chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce – The Almond Dip
8 oz. size
Calling it her “‘bitchin’ dip,” Mya says she loves this dairy-free concoction as a dip or salad dressing. “It’s almond-based and packed with flavor and kick,” she says.
Violife Vegan Original Cream Cheese Spread
7.05 oz. size
Mya calls this vegan cream cheese-style spread “So indulgent,” adding that she loves to use it “on seaweed snacks, toast or with crackers to add a little flavor and density to healthy snacking.”
Mini Boxed Water
24-pack
Mya says the Boxed Water brand aligns with her “conscious, eco-friendly living” philosophy, “through sustainable plant-based packaging. It’s also healthier,” she says, “without the microplastics.”
RYZE SUPERFOODS Mushroom Medium Roast Coffee
30 servings
Mushroom coffee is increasingly becoming a popular alternative for people who are sensitive to high levels of caffeine or want something that won’t cause jitters. “This is how I prefer to fuel my energy without the crash,” Mya says, adding that “the functional mushroom ingredients support focus, balance, mood, and wellness support.”
Stella McCartney Ryder Shoulder Bag
“I love Stella’s high-fashion, statement pieces crafted without animal skins, proving sustainability and style can coexist effortlessly,” Mya says.
From totes and shoulder bags, to wallets and clutches, see more Stella McCartney accessory picks here.
GuruNanda Teeth Whitening Strips Kit
7-day treatment
Mya calls these whitening strips a “gentler, more natural approach to whitening — coconut oil-infused for a brighter smile while being mindful of enamel and overall oral health.”
Adore Me Rae Babydoll Dress & G-String Thong
Mya loves Adore Me lingerie, which she teases is “Confident, stylish, and cruelty-free.” This is lingerie that “blends comfort and design while aligning with conscious fashion choices,” she says.
This babydoll dress features a supportive design with a spandex-blend material for easy movement. Multiple colors are available in sizes XS to 4X. Shop more Adore Me pieces here.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
“Jamaican Black Castor Oil is wonderful for promoting skin hydration, soothing inflammation, enhancing hair health, and supporting lymphatic circulation,” Mya shares, “and it can act as a stimulant laxative.”
This bottle of pure, organic, cold-pressed castor oil is an Amazon bestseller, with more than 5,00 units sold in the past month alone, and a 4.4-star rating (out of five) from thousands of verified reviewers online.
Raw Shea Butter – 100% Pure Unrefined African Shea Butter
Mya says she uses raw shea butter “as a natural sun block, but it’s also an antioxidant that boosts collagen and reduces fine lines without clogging pores.” Worth noting: while raw shea butter has cinnamic acid, which provides a natural SPF, dermatologists recommend layering on sunscreen with a higher SPF for best protection.
Handcraft Blends Fractionated Coconut Oil
16 oz. bottle
More than 20,000 shoppers have picked up this coconut oil online at Amazon in the last month. Great for everything from your skin to your hair (and even your teeth for oil pulling), Mya says she uses coconut oil as a “chemical-free, makeup remover.”
era of nature Raw Organic African Black Soap
8 oz. bar
Mya uses Natural African black soap for “cleaning and exfoliation for the face and body,” and this bar is a bestseller online thanks to its organic ingredients and gentle formula.
CYMBIOTIKA Irish Sea Moss Supplement
26-pack
Sea moss, derived from seaweed and red algae, is said to help with everything from gut support and immunity to skin health. As Mya explains, “sea moss is rich in vitamins and minerals and absolutely amazing for my skin.”
Cymbiotika makes these single-serving packets of sea moss that you can take on its own or mix into your smoothie, yogurt or water.
Other vegan-friendly beauty favorites from Mya: tea tree oil (“for minor cuts and scars”), a good rose water spray, aloe for after sun care, and epson salt, which the singer says “does a body good after workouts and helps to soften the skin.”