Alan Ward closes out the year with "Great Time," an alt-rap cut that reframes heartbreak as a bittersweet groove. Featuring rising UK act 4 The Brotherhood, the single leans into clean hooks and conversational bars, turning breakup turbulence into a track that is both reflective and radio-ready. Ward experiments with a new sound here, and the risk brings out fresh facets of his lyricism and flow.
The production frames the narrative with thoughtful restraint: the beat supports without crowding, leaving room for vocal nuance and the hook’s emotional center. 4 The Brotherhood delivers a hook that slips into our head, providing the melodic anchor that complements Ward’s more playful, introspective verses. Together, they make an unlikely but satisfying pairing.
On a thematic level, "Great Time" understands that endings can be both painful and oddly liberating. The song moves between regret and wry acceptance, and Ward’s vocal choices carry those moods with clarity. This single functions like a late-night confession, candid without being maudlin, and it signals a maturity in Ward’s writing.
As the last single of 2025, "Great Time" works as a promise and a palate cleanser: it points to fresh territory without losing Ward’s core strengths. As a pivot, the single hints at thoughtful growth for Ward’s next tape, and it’s likely to sit well across alt playlists and late-night rotations.