Perhaps R&B songstress Jhené Aiko’s atmospheric sound is the offspring of the neo-soul subset of Hip Hop culture that permeated the early 2000s, but it’s almost as if the label has become attributed to her entire existence. She may have been bubbling beneath the surface throughout the 2000s, but she burst onto the scene in 2011 with a sound that sounded unlike much of anything else out on the market. Character-defining single, 2013’s “The Worst” signified her as a frontrunner of a changing R&B landscape, which favored more on the peripheral angles and taboo versus more traditional subject matters such as love and revenge. Now, when urban radio plays artists like SZA, The Weeknd, and even Kehlani, it’s not hard to see Aiko’s influence on their stylistic choices. With the widespread adoption of her sound, maybe that’s why she decided to step back from solo projects for the last couple of years, making sporadic appearances on tracks and projects alike, most notably the mercurial Twenty88 with boyfriend Big Sean.
Now the fearless-tongued crooner is back with Trip – a moody yet breezy continuation of her established aesthetic that ultimately lacks growth of her musical capabilities.
Trip touches on some very serious stuff. The album comes upon the recent release of a 20-minute film dedicated to her brother who died from cancer back in 2012. Taking advantage of today’s multimedia opportunities, the music is a spiritual continuation of the film, encapsulating the firestorm of feelings she’s having; from grief and pain, to love and lust. She uses the album to clear her mind and chest of everything that bothers her.
The album’s hazy nature makes it fit right along with previous releases such as Sail Out (2013) and Souled Out (2014). It widely eschews traditional R&B cadence with her songs rooted in a dream-like quality. “Sativa” wisely incorporates Rae Sremmurd’s red-hot Swae Lee, a rapper who’s singing capabilities make him the perfect compliment for Jhené’s dainty voice. The track’s almost non-existent bass line warps together with the vocals provided by the two, creating another great Jhené record.
Enticing areas like these are simply peppered throughout the 85-minute acid trip. It’s entirely too long — more than half of the cuts could easily be trimmed without disrupting the overall message. Yet when Jhené strikes gold, she strikes it hard. “Only Lovers Left Alive” is starkly different than the ethereal nature of most of her releases, and it stands out because of it. Aiko’s vocals blend a surprisingly fresh neo-soul-meets-elevator music concoction. Elsewhere on “Moments,” featuring a metaphor-laden appearance from her hubby, Aiko uses the methodical production to her advantage, as it contrasts with the vivacious nature of her and Sean’s delivery.
But the problem arises when these great Jhené records are taken in context with her place in music and the rest of the album as well. Without growth, they’re really just great Jhené records, not necessarily great R&B tracks. They sound good and will suit her live sets well, but most likely won’t hold up as the as years roll by.
Instead of pushing the envelope, Trip goes a long way in reaffirming Jhené’s unison with all things atmospheric. The sophomore effort shows her willingness to settle within an aesthetic that’s become commonplace in the R&B world. With only a handful of standout songs in its 22-track roadmap, Trip exposes itself as a formulaic project instead of something truly special.
I love her sound. It is a little bit too similar to her last album but overall very pleasant to listen to
Amazing Album 5/5
Loved Sail Out
Loved Sailing Souls
Loved Souled Out
Absolutely hated this album
This album is in every way worst than her previous efforts. The harmonies were uninspired, the lyrics were poetically unsophisticated, and the beats were uneventful.
“Same ‘Ol'” would have been delightful.
lol um false
I disagree I think Jhene Aiko’s Album is beautiful.She is a modern Day Sade, Erykah Badu.Her music is not songs they are VIBES. Chill pieces and I think she dropped a masterpiece. her best work. only complaint I have is I have not got to work with her yet. Soulful Mind .Jhene makes beautiful music and you gave corny rappers higher marks then thishomie
I have to assume you are young and not from Sade’s generation. Its beyond annoying to hear the youth compare her to Sade. No way. Sade the band was on a whole nother level.
I totally agree @MarioToney Jhene Aiko is the best album this Year. “A MASTERPIECE”. The album is a full story/short film thats why it 22 tracks. Def Jam…..Def Jam allowed her to have 22 tracks, that should hold some weight. she put it together as a full body of work, and if you cant understand that from the jump you wont like the album. This is the best thing since Solange’s “A Seat at the Table”. Considering the wave of emotion filled, depressed albums (Luv is Rage 2-Lil Uzi Vert, 17-XXXTENTCION, EVERYBODY-Logic) this blows all of them out of the water. I guess the question is: If this wasnt Top-Shelf Art, then what it? Like what do you , Soulful Mind consider as a Masterpiece (in these times). @Moon i was born in ’83. Of course Jhene isnt in the same realm as Sade, but she’s the closest thing to Sade we have in this Generation, especially on this Trip album.
Didn’t know she was hip hop.
Very insightful album. her aesthetic is perfect for delivering tracks mindful of ones inner voice. With this album being about the loss of a VERY close loved one & coping with the unavoidable grief that comes after-anyone who’s experienced this can tell you that through “Trip”, Jhene takes you on that journey. It’s easy to un-appreciate this album if you don’t fully understand the space where this was created but having loss my big brother recently i feel my life experiences were FINALLY articulated in music. I love it. I love Jhene. &Much Love to all those walking through the valley of the shadow of death on their journey to finding inner peace. This one is for us.
Are you kidding? This is the most honest album Jhene has released, and unless you’ve been following her then you wouldn’t see how this album shows how she’s grown and still growing. Her album is called Trip, and that still shows that this isn’t her saying that she is complete and wholesome but she’s still going through life and her own personal struggles that she shared with us. With a lack of real meaning and depth to music in this age, this album stands out to me as a beautiful project that works through the highs and lows of life as we live it.
This chick exemplifies this generation of hip-hop and R&B artist. Most of them keep making the same song.
Jhene Aiko is not meant to be compared with because she is like no one else and no one else could be like her. I hate hearing people bash her because of how they compare her to Sade. She is one of the most complex expressions of pure music and what music is supposed to do to someone. Music is expression, and she is a master of expression. Due to the fact that Jhene is probably one of the only artists of this generation that is 100% herself in everything she does, she is not on the same hype because people tend to like things that they are used to. She is an art, made for people who have the emotional capacity to absorb, and apply and heal along with Jhene as she takes you on a journey with her ambience and lyrics. She never claims to be the best singer, vocalist, even though she is high up there and if you want I can send you videos to prove this. Jhene simply wants to deliver herself, without trying to do anything else. Thats what makes her so original. No one could ever compare to something self made like the works of this soul.