Imani Archer, the late neo-soul legend D’Angelo’s only daughter, released “Surreal,” her newest single — a song she says arrived in a “crazy” and tender way — in the midst of her grief.

Like many music fans, Archer is mourning the loss of D’Angelo, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Oct. 14. The 26-year-old singer spoke exclusively with BET.com earlier this month, told us she wrote the track in July and wrestled with whether to release it after her father’s death. 

God can be very funny sometimes,” she said. “I wrote this song in July, and I submitted it over a month ago, and it was supposed to come out…it still is. I was thinking of not doing it, but I know he [D’Angelo] wouldn't want me to do that. He would be pissed actually, if I did something like that.”

“It's just so funny though. What I'm singing about is something completely unrelated. It’s about losing someone ironically and it feels very crazy,” Imani said in reflection. She said when she played the track for her mother, they were left speechless by the now deeper connection of the song.

She shared the song’s release on her Instagram with throwback images of herself with D’Angelo and in the caption, she said, “​​He was always so proud of my singing and my music and I want to honor him and put this song out in the world, even though every day feels like my heart has been ripped out of my chest. I hope you’re proud of me up in Heaven Daddy.”

Archer framed the release of “Surreal” as a part of a promise to herself and to her father to keep creating even while mourning.