On Thursday, Anderson .Paak premiered a brand new song featuring Motown legend Smokey Robinson, “Make It Better”. The new track will appear on .Paak’s forthcoming new record, Ventura, his second LP in the space of less than a year following the October 2018 release of his acclaimed album, Oxnard. Ventura is set to arrive on April 12th.

The new track is a sonic departure from most of .Paak’s previous material. While it starts with a sparse, hip-hop-style kick/snare beat, “Make It Better” quickly shifts gears toward the R&B side of the spectrum, showing fans a softer side to the rapper/drummer/bandleader.

As .Paak noted about the new track while filling in for Zane Lowe on Beats 1 for the song’s debut, “I think it’s one of my first straight-ahead love songs. I don’t think I’m cursing on it at all, you know what I’m sayin’? I played this for my moms, she immediately started dancing in her muumuu…ha HA!” Hear Anderson .Paak talk about the new track on Beats 1 below:

The softer, more soulful sound falls in step with .Paak’s forecasts for his next chapter. In a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he said that fans could expect “Lots of soul, a bigger tour, and the best teeth in the game.” .Paak also made good on the bigger tour/best teeth in the came portion of his forecast in late February with the announcement of his Best Teef In The Game tour, a run of shows at arenas and amphitheaters nationwide. Thundercat will serve as support throughout the entirety of the tour, with Mac DeMarco, Earl Sweatshirt, Noname, and Jessie Reyez joining in on select dates.

Related: THERE WILL BE NO SIMPIN’: Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals Kick Off ‘Andy’s Beach Club’ World Tour in San Francisco

Check out the official music video for Anderson .Paak’s “Make It Better” featuring Smokey Robinson below:

Anderson .Paak ft. Smokey Robinson – “Make It Better”

[Video: Anderson Paak]

For more information on Ventura, the Best Teef In The Game tour, and more, head to Anderson .Paak’s website.