Nobu Woods is marking a turning point in his career. The New York alt-R&B singer, songwriter, and producer has released his new mixtape CHIMERA, arriving just after a run of singles—“YOU,” “DIRTY,” and “WHITEOUT.” The project lands with a video for “THE TIDE,” a track he says reflects some of his most personal work.
Woods handled most of the writing and production himself, keeping with his choice to avoid features. This time, he leans into a darker sound that matches the mixtape’s tone. The video for “THE TIDE,” filmed in Los Angeles and along its coastline, brings those themes into sharper focus.
At its core, CHIMERA follows the arc of a poisonous relationship, blending scenes of longing, illusion, and the letdown that can follow. The title nods to the mythical creature and the idea of chasing something that can never quite be reached—both ideas that mirror the project’s mood.
Woods sees the mixtape as a step forward in shaping full stories through sound and sharing his own experiences in a way listeners can connect with. As he pushes into this new phase, he remains intent on broadening R&B while honoring where it comes from.
