You think you know Tori Kelly. The acoustic guitar, the powerhouse runs, the "Unbreakable Smile." But tori. a lil more feels like a different person entirely. It’s weird how we box artists in. We decide they’re "the gospel girl" or "the girl from Sing" and then get confused when they show up with purple hair and Y2K beats.
Honestly, the music industry is obsessed with categories. If you don't fit in a bucket, they don't know where to put you on the shelf. Tori has spent years dodging those buckets. This latest iteration of her 2024 self-titled era, specifically the deluxe expansion tori. a lil more, is the most "unfiltered" she's ever been. It’s not just a collection of extra songs. It’s a statement.
What is tori. a lil more anyway?
Basically, it’s the definitive version of her fifth studio album. Released in late 2024, it builds on the foundation of the standard TORI. record. If the original album was a reintroduction, this "lil more" version is the deep conversation after the party. You get the high-energy Y2K pop, but you also get these raw, stripped-back moments that remind you why she’s a three-time Grammy winner.
The sound is a massive departure. Gone is the strictly "Christian pop" label people tried to force on her. Instead, we get heavy nods to the early 2000s. Think Rodney Jerkins. Think Timbaland. Think Missy Elliott. It’s got that specific kind of bounce that defined R&B at the turn of the millennium.
Why the shift happened
A lot of this record was shaped by a literal brush with death. In July 2023, Tori collapsed at dinner with friends. Blood clots. Her legs, her lungs. It was terrifying for fans and obviously life-altering for her.
You can hear that urgency in tracks like "High Water." It’s not just a "sad song." It’s a survival song. When you realize the track "High Water" was written while she was literally recovering from a health crisis, the lyrics hit different. She isn't just singing; she's exhaling.
The Collaborations You Didn’t Expect
One thing people get wrong about Tori is thinking she only plays it safe. Look at the features on tori. a lil more. It’s a wild mix.
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- JoJo: On "bottomline," we finally get the vocal Olympics we’ve wanted for a decade. Two of the best singers of the millennial generation just... going for it.
- Kim Chaewon: A LE SSERAFIM crossover? Nobody had that on their 2024 bingo card. "spruce" is a sleek, K-pop-infused bop that proves Tori can hang in any lane.
- Ayra Starr: "unbelievable" brings an Afrobeats texture that feels incredibly fresh for her.
It’s not just about the names, though. It’s about the synergy. Jon Bellion produced a massive chunk of this, and his DNA—that punchy, rhythmic, slightly eccentric pop—is all over the tracks. It’s a pairing that makes total sense. Both are "musician's musicians" who care more about the pocket of the groove than the glitter of the stage.
Breaking Down the "A Lil More" Tracks
The deluxe additions aren't just filler. "distance" starts the expansion with this haunting, atmospheric vibe. It feels like a bridge between her old acoustic soul and this new, synth-heavy world.
Then you have "U." It’s short. It’s sweet. It’s got that Lido production that feels like a warm hug. It’s a bit more experimental with the vocal layering than what we’re used to from her. Most artists use deluxe albums to dump songs that weren't good enough for the main cut. Here, the extra tracks actually provide the emotional context the upbeat main album was missing.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Era
People keep saying this is a "rebrand." I hate that word. It sounds corporate. It sounds like a marketing meeting in a glass building.
This isn't a rebrand; it's an unmasking.
If you've followed Tori since the YouTube days—back when she was doing Frank Ocean covers in her bedroom—you know she’s always loved R&B. She’s always loved hip-hop rhythms. The "acoustic pop girl" image was just one slice of the pie. tori. a lil more is just her eating the whole dessert.
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The Vocal Maturity
Let’s talk about the technical side for a second. In her earlier work, she leaned heavily on the "big note." You know the one. The glass-shattering belt. On this record, she’s doing something much harder: restraint.
The runs on "missin u" are intricate but light. They aren't "look at me" runs; they're "feel this" runs. It’s the difference between a rookie athlete showing off at the combine and a veteran making a no-look pass. She doesn't have to prove she can sing anymore. We know. Now, she’s just playing with the air.
The Cultural Impact of the Purple Skies Tour
The tour that accompanied this album, the Purple Skies Tour, was a visual extension of this new sound. It wasn't just a girl and a guitar. It was choreography. It was lighting design that felt like a Y2K music video come to life.
I saw some fans online complaining. "Where’s the old Tori?" She’s right there. She’s just 33 now. She’s married. She’s survived a medical trauma. She’s listening to Aaliyah. You can't expect someone to stay 19 forever just because you liked their first EP.
How to actually listen to this album
If you’re coming to tori. a lil more as a casual fan, don't start with the singles.
- Listen to "High Water" first. Understand the stakes.
- Move to "bottomline" for the sheer vocal power.
- Check out "alive if i die" to hear how Jon Bellion’s production perfectly matches her tone.
- Finish with the "R&B edit" of "missin u." It’s better than the original. Sorta.
The record is 19 tracks long on the deluxe. That’s a lot of music. It’s a journey. You have to let it breathe.
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What's Next for Tori?
Moving forward, it’s clear she isn't going back to the "safe" lane. She’s found a producer in Bellion who understands her, and she’s found a label (Epic) that seems willing to let her be weird.
She’s mentioned in interviews that this era was about taking control. No more asking for permission. No more trying to fit the "American Idol" mold she was nearly forced into as a teenager.
The real value of tori. a lil more isn't just the songs. It’s the permission it gives other artists to change their minds. You can be a gospel singer and a pop star. You can be an introvert and a performer. You can be a survivor and still want to dance.
Actionable Next Steps
To truly appreciate what Tori Kelly is doing right now, you should:
- Compare the Versions: Listen to the 2023 tori EP and then immediately play the tori. a lil more album. You’ll hear the evolution of how she and Bellion refined the sound over 18 months.
- Watch the "High Water" Live Performance: It’s a masterclass in vocal control and emotional delivery.
- Explore her Influences: Put on a 90s R&B playlist—Brandy, Monica, Faith Evans—before your next listen. The sonic references in her new music will suddenly pop out in high definition.
The era isn't over. It's just getting started.