Looking at the cover art (designed by artist Emek) for Erykah Badu’s upcoming release New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) is kind of like watching the 1927 silent film Metropolis on hallucinogens—this is probably what the inside of the head of the freaked-out surfing cat on the cover of MGMT’s Congratulations looks like. Badu’s colorful, trippy album art certainly fits the same vibe as her latest song to hit the web, “Strawberry Incense,” which may very well be the first sci-fi R&B jam we’ve ever heard. Listen to it below.

Mixing a theremin with a harp, Erykah creates a conceptual, peaceful track in which the neo-soul singer barely raises her voice above a barely-intelligible murmur. Much like other New Amerykah track “Window Seat,” it’s a mellow affair, but almost too mellow—we feel like we’re about to fall asleep while getting a massage at a day spa. Either we or this track needs to wake up a little bit more and have some energy.

Erykah will be performing in this summer’s Lilith Fair. Check out of she’ll be grooving in a city near you here.

[Via Prophet Blog]