Indiana-born, LA-based artist Cherise Michelle returns with ‘heartbeat.’, a soulful new single that explores the complicated dynamics of a toxic relationship. Drawing on rich 90s R&B and soul influences, the track examines the emotional push and pull between two people caught in a cycle neither seems willing to break.

Built around a smooth groove and effortlessly soulful vocals, ‘heartbeat.‘ balances warmth with emotional tension. While Cherise’s voice remains beautifully controlled throughout, moments of frustration occasionally break through the surface, hinting at the anger beneath the song’s polished exterior. A welcome saxophone adds further richness to the arrangement, while the track’s closing moments showcase a series of stunning high notes that leave a lasting impression long after the song has faded out.

Speaking about the track, Cherise explains: “In such relationships, there’s usually a thin line between love and hate that keeps the emotional cycle going between two people. I wanted to highlight that it’s not often one-sided.”