NØIR is Smino’s sophomore studio album, a follow-up to blkswn, his debut LP. The album was released on November 8, 2018, a Thursday, which is somewhat unusual. The term “noir” is the French word for black. In regards to cinema, the term “film noir” is primarily used to describe crime dramas that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. The album’s lead single “L.M.F.,” which stands for “Lion Mufasa,” was released on October 26, 2018, and the album’s second official single, “KLINK,” was released on November 5, 2018. On the day of the album’s release, Smino tweeted about the album’s meaning: