Tarriq knew exactly what he wanted to say the moment the production began playing. Entering what he describes as a true flow state, the London artist created “First Time” as a reflection on falling for someone, slowly discovering who they are, and remembering the emotions that made the connection special. Inspired by his present feelings, memories from the past, and The Weeknd’s influence on his musical journey, the song became a personal full-circle moment.
Released on May 26, “First Time” introduces listeners to a chill, late-night, dark R&B atmosphere shaped by intimacy, infatuation, and nostalgia. Tarriq describes the feeling of the record as floating in the ocean while soaking in your own emotions. That description captures the immersive energy behind the song, which encourages listeners to surrender to the sound and revisit the emotional high of falling for someone.
At its heart, “First Time” is about remembering the beginning of a relationship. It explores the gradual build toward intimacy, the excitement of discovering another person, and the process of realizing that your feelings are becoming deeper. Tarriq also understands that relationships can occasionally return to a place that feels like the beginning all over again, allowing two people to reconnect with the emotions that initially brought them together.
That emotional return became the central idea behind the song. Rather than focusing only on one romantic moment, Tarriq created a record about how the past and present can exist together. A familiar relationship can suddenly feel new again, and emotions that once belonged to the beginning can return with the same intensity. “First Time” captures that experience through a sound that feels reflective, romantic, and deeply atmospheric.
Tarriq wanted listeners to feel nostalgia when hearing the record. He hopes the song reminds them of the excitement that comes with falling for someone and allows them to become infatuated with the sound itself. The production creates a space where listeners can sit with their own memories, emotions, and relationships while still experiencing the story Tarriq is telling.
The song came together naturally. When Tarriq first heard the beat, he immediately understood what he wanted to communicate. He did not have to force the concept or spend time searching for a direction. The production unlocked the story, and the words began flowing from there.
That creative experience is what Tarriq describes as a true flow state. The emotions, melodies, and ideas seemed to connect without resistance, allowing him to write from instinct. That natural process gives “First Time” an honest quality because the song was created from an immediate emotional response rather than being built around a manufactured concept.
Most of Tarriq’s songs contain something personal, although his creative process can also include fictional ideas, inspiration from other media, or a combination of several sources. With “First Time,” he connected his current emotions to feelings he remembered from the past. The song became a bridge between who he was, what he once experienced, and how he feels today.
The bridge of the song created an especially meaningful full-circle moment. While writing it, Tarriq remembered the first time he heard The Weeknd’s music. That memory connected naturally to the relationship at the center of “First Time,” because The Weeknd was the artist who initially connected Tarriq to the person behind the song.
Instead of inserting the reference simply because The Weeknd is one of his favorite artists, Tarriq allowed that influence to become part of the actual story. It honored an artist who shaped his musical taste while remaining authentic to his own experience. The connection was already present in his memories, so writing it into the song felt natural rather than forced.
The Weeknd’s influence can also be heard in the late-night darkness and emotional atmosphere surrounding the record. Tarriq was inspired by that world of immersive R&B, but “First Time” remains rooted in his own voice, feelings, and relationship. The influence supports the story without replacing Tarriq’s identity as a songwriter.
The production was created by Berlin-based producer Jonnywood, who previously produced Tarriq’s song “By My Side.” Jonnywood has also produced for Coco Jones on “Crazy For Me.” Tarriq describes his beats as complete experiences capable of transporting listeners into another world, which makes their creative partnership especially fitting for a song as atmospheric as “First Time.”
Jonnywood’s production gives Tarriq the space to build emotion around the instrumental. Instead of simply placing vocals over a beat, Tarriq approaches the music as a world he can expand. His melodies, lyrics, and delivery add another layer to the environment already created by the production, turning the finished record into a complete emotional experience.
That sense of transportation is essential to “First Time.” The song is designed to make listeners feel as though they have entered a memory. Its dark R&B sound, relaxed energy, and emotional storytelling create the feeling of being suspended between the past and present, where the beginning of a relationship can be remembered with the same intensity as when it first happened.
This release also represents an important transition in Tarriq’s artistry. He sees “First Time” as a song that closes the chapter on one era of music while opening the door to more of what he wants to create moving forward. It reflects where he has been creatively, but it also points toward the sound, storytelling, and emotional depth he wants to explore next.
What makes the record particularly special to Tarriq is his ability to honor one of his favorite artists without losing the truth of his own story. The Weeknd’s influence exists inside a personal narrative rather than functioning as a surface-level reference. That balance allows Tarriq to acknowledge an important musical inspiration while continuing to define his own voice.
To expand the experience surrounding the song, Tarriq released an official video, lyric video, and visualiser on YouTube. Each piece gives listeners another opportunity to enter the emotional world of “First Time” and connect with the atmosphere beyond the audio alone.
The visual content complements a record already built to feel cinematic. Because the song focuses on memory, intimacy, and emotion, the visuals help deepen the mood and give supporters different ways to experience the release. Whether someone connects first through the official video, the lyric video, or the visualiser, every element leads them back to the feeling at the center of the song.
With “First Time,” Tarriq captures the moment falling in love begins to feel new again. He explores the slow development of intimacy, the excitement of discovering another person, and the way present emotions can reopen memories from the past. The result is a dark, late-night R&B record that feels personal while remaining open enough for listeners to place their own experiences inside it.
The song also shows Tarriq stepping into a clearer creative direction. It closes one musical chapter while introducing the emotional and atmospheric sound he wants to continue developing. By combining personal storytelling, immersive production, and inspiration that genuinely connects to his life, Tarriq has created a record that feels honest, intentional, and emotionally complete.
For anyone who remembers the first stages of a relationship, misses the high of falling for someone, or has experienced a familiar connection suddenly feeling new again, “First Time” offers a soundtrack for that moment. Tarriq invites listeners to float inside the emotion, revisit their memories, and become infatuated with the sound.
Watch the official video for “First Time”:
https://youtu.be/P_k7B_jiHbQ?si=Wkk39PaYdnHyW-Iu
Follow Tarriq:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarriqmusic
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@Tarriqmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/UCOPUWtT5KsP3CUhxCEOlRyA
Facebook: https://facebook.com/Tarriq