Twelve years into a musical career filled with sadness, heartbreak and disappointment, R&B fans are treated to those emotions (and more) on Souled Out, Jhene Aiko’s finally released 12-track debut studio album. It was Lauryn Hill who on the Fugees’ The Score album single “Zealots” said that she added a “motherfucker” at the end of her oftentimes melodic Rap bars to ensure ignorant listeners “hear her.” Though not an a acclaimed rapper/singer like Ms. Hill, Aiko’s unique ability at moments on the album to add the equivalent of a “motherfucker” or “fuck you” via embittered words delivered with a caustic, yet still mellifluous tone is one of the tiny details that make Jhene Aiko a special artist. That said, it’s Souled Out’s “tainted love” style ability to endure several types of heartbreak that makes it a worthwhile listen.
Insofar as the craft of creating an album, Aiko’s release benefits from the artist’s seven-year journey through giving birth to her daughter in 2007 to this year’s completed studio release. Her precision in choosing producers and tracks that highlight her wispy, lilting vocals, and the process of Aiko morphing from a B2K-associated pop tart to a grown-ass-woman is obvious. Consider “The Pressure,” her first single, and arguably the sexiest song on the album as it uses her Aaliyah-like falsetto perfectly to convey a sultry innocence.
No I.D.’s Cocaine 80’s crew is represented here and the producer/executive actually handles six tracks on this album in total, with “To Love And Die,” being a sparse, breakbeat-driven, radio-friendly winner. Aiko sing-raps her way through an ode to the weightless feeling of falling in love. The sultry tone of, “Baby I’m yooours” articulates the thrill attached to sliding down love’s slippery slope. Co-opting 50 Cent’s “Many Men” adds to Aiko’s knack for Hip Hop-infused singing, and that’s generally part of her appeal. Previous projects included the likes of Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, but none of those helping hands find their way onto Souled Out. Instead, Aiko has chosen to wade out into the deep end alone, and while the results are impressive, she does miss a decidedly Hip Hop presence as juxtaposition to her softness.
Still, the songwriting is so intentionally simple and evocative that you’re as much sucked into wondering just what she’s going to say next as much as you just want to hear a high-quality song.
“If anything should happen, cause anything can happen, promise you’ll be alright?” asks Miyagi Aiko, her elder brother who died of cancer in 2012. That question, asked in lyric, drives the yearning hope of the aforementioned “Promises,” and is the very same question that drives the success of this album as well as hope for Aiko’s future as an artist. The very core of Souled Out, though,is Jhene’s unabashed sensitivity. In a climate where everyone seems out for conquest or ironic rebellion, it’s refreshing (especially while acknowledging Aiko’s courage in presenting herself this way) to hear someone speak simply of loving another human. Ideally, as a fan and/or critic wanting Pop success for Jhene Aiko, you want the artist in all her forms to fully rise above the angst vibrating below the surface on this album to ultimately tell a whole story that is as consistently happy as it is unflinchingly honest. Jhene Aiko is a rare artist that an ear, heart and soul must grow into loving. The reason? She’s a creative soul who thankfully, for the listener, has a life that can’t be boxed into four-minute radio anthems. On this album, a story finally begins in earnest for the Hip Hop styled chanteuse weaving her magic onto melodic mattresses resting on boom-bap box springs with spellbinding results.
Solid studio debut from Jhene.
HHDX just gives every album a 3.5 … not saying that this should have been higher or lower (you can decide for yourself) but i’m getting real bored of seeing every release get the same rating and then read some bipolar review about it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution
I don’t usually comment, but this deserved at least a 4.5
I need to bump this again,..maybe it’s because of her 1st project,but I felt a little “disappointed”,I mean,I didn’t expect a project like this,can’t really explain just,wasn’t what i expected,the songs were solid but it was too…sad,I mean,maybe I gotta forget about her 1st project and shed my expectations but,yeah idk
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yup the person below who said hhdx only gives 3.5’s is about right its almost like how about every album XXL reviews is an XL kind of lame on both of their parts.
3.5 is a disgrace. Awesome album.
Wading alone makes the a classic!
Yo for real I need to find me a blasian like this
It’s hard to find a half breed out here, all the asians in my town stay on some Michael Jordan “no niggas” type of shit smh
Jhene Aiko is not a “half breed”; she’s multiracial. Also, “blasian” women are not some commodity or fetish item for you. We are actual people with just as much diversity in our beauty and personalities as anyone else. Your comment is dehumanizing.
The same tempo on every song. She sings constrained by her octave limitations. On the one hand good, on the other, just the same ‘ole song over and over with minimal variation. Individually, many of these songs are good; together, a boring snooze.
You don’t have to sound like Mariah Carey to be a competent singer.
Yea, but sounding like a deaf/mute with a learning disability doesn’t help
I so agree. It seems as if she doesn’t care. She walks in to the studio probably with a book of rhymes not caring what she sounds like because she knows the producers and engineers are paid to enhance her average vocals
I’m sorry, her style might be unique, and the lyrics might be above average, but she can’t sing. I mean, she sounds like a water-down Cassie. Remember when you needed to have vocal talent in order to be considered a “good” r&b act? Now, the genre is so stale that anyone with a cute face is hyped up. I haven’t bought an R&B album since Jagged Edge back in ’06, and crap like this is why.
so true not talent less but she isn’t all that talented.
Her EP was incredible and i’ve been waiting, patiently, for this album, it didn’t disappoint. True talent is back in R&B.
IS SHE A GAY
SHE DOSNT SHOWER SO I CANT LISTEN IT FEELS DIRTY
gay rap is the new hip hop do your thing boys
GAY RAP
GAY IN HIP HOP
HIP HOP DICKS
Dope! Dope! Dope!
This is a good 4/5. Definitely not a sleeper. It’s no surprise HipHopDX rates every album 3.5/5 stars.
Truth is the best of Artists have all have naysayers,Some people do not ‘get’ Jhene,But then again should everyone appreciate the same Art?This is an album that the world needs.We need more LOVE in this world.This is a collection of songs I will play 10,15 even 20 years from now.Well done Efuru Chilombo.Respect…..
Love this album. Now I just can’t wait until Tinashe comes out with hers on the 7th! For now all I’ve beed listening to is this album and ‘Pretend’ by Tinashe
There’s an error in this article. Jhene’s last name is Chilombo, Aiko is her middle name. You have her brother named as Miyagi Aiko.
This Album is effortless. Entire Album on heavy rotation….No skipping.
This album is ART…it is on heavy rotation for the lack of mediocre candor so heavily rotated on most radio stations. LOVE….
Not as good as her last album, i was really waiting on this one to come out. Don’t know if she lost something in her songs by not having “guest” on her tracks. I like a couple songs, but didn’t live up to my expectations.
The songs become repetitive.
I give this project an B+ 89. I think this album is laid back open and honest. Aiko’s performance of the cool girl in a bad world really works for her. Promise and To Love and Die are my favorites. This is a vulnerable girl expressing poetry of the girl in today’s relationship world. Some mistake the music of this album to make it seem boring and not worth a listen but those are incorrect fools who lack patience. But there is definitely a mood to have to listen to this album. Which has no filler and has nothing but tolerable content from start to finish.
word
i like this gal
Very talented artist. Her music is soothing and relaxing. Share her emotional journey with the listener. The modern day Sade ?
No, Sade sings with class. Jheno’s lyrics venture into chicken head material at times. Also, Sade was global, This chick’s audience is rather narrow.
album of the year
This is like the EP, only longer – cerebral, one tempo, but surprisingly fresh.
I love the album. Her music always does it for me.
Can’t hit that note, most of the time it’s flat. Her songs are repetitive and honestly she doesn’t have a vocal range. Can’t harmonize for shit. I like her beats though.