Heaux Tales

Since establishing her recording career in 2008, Sullivan has been known to take long hiatuses between releases.[5][9][10] According to Revolt, Sullivan explained the inspiration behind the project in a video:[4]

"Heaux Tales is about my observation of today's women standing in their power and owning who they are — No longer is male patriarchy dictating what it means to be a 'good girl.' The truth is, women of all ages have been called a 'heaux' at some point in life, whether deserved or not, by some man trying to put us in our place; a place designed to keep us under control, out of the way and usually beneath them. [...] We all have a journey to make and it's our choice alone how we get there."

Complex magazine reports that Dev Hynes, Key Wane, DZL, and others contributed to the production on the project.[11] The promotional rollout for Heaux Tales included the premiere of her installment of NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts series on January 8, 2021.[9]

The first single, an acoustic ballad titled "Lost One", was released August 28, 2020 and peaked at number 9 on Billboard's US Hot R&B Songs.[12][13] The second single was "Pick Up Your Feelings", released November 20, 2020.[14] In place of a traditional music video, RCA Records released a live acoustic performance.[4] Both singles were performed on BET during the Soul Train Music Awards on November 29, 2020.[2] Sullivan released her third single, "Girl Like Me", featuring H.E.R., on January 6, 2021, marking the first time she has ever duetted with a woman on one of her own recordings.[10]

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	83/100[15]
Review scores
Source	Rating
Beats Per Minute	80%[16]
Clash	8/10[17]
Exclaim!	8/10[18]
Rolling Stone	[19]
Pitchfork	8.6/10[20]

Heaux Tales received a score of 83 out of 100 from review aggregate site Metacritic based on seven reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[15] Vulture lauded its displays of women's strength as seen in its "interludes [with] women like fellow singer Ari Lennox talking about femininity and sexual empowerment."[10] Alex Suskind of Entertainment Weekly called the project "a punchy concept album that tackles blissful romance, sexual freedom — and the complex moments that arise between."[21] Bobby Carter of NPR hailed it "a bold and timely conversation piece addressing truths regarding relationships, sex, social norms, self-worth and a myriad of other topics that women grapple with."[9] Wongo Okon of Uproxx praised it for casting "a light on the goalpost-shifting standards of this patriarchal society" while holding "the characteristics to be labeled a classic in the future."[22] Mankaprr Conteh of Pitchfork gave the EP the site's Best New Music distinction.[20]

Notes

• "Antoinette's Tale" features vocals by Antoinette Henry
• "Donna's Tale" features vocals by Anitra Sasser, Cheryl White and Donna Anderson
• "Rashida's Tale" features vocals by Rashida Northington
• "Precious' Tale" features vocals by Precious Daughtry
• "Amanda's Tale" features vocals by Amanda Henderson