On September 9th, 2014 Jhene Aiko finally released her debut album Souled Out. The album reached number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop charts, selling 70,000 copies in its opening week. In the past, Jhene has utilized many collaborations with relatively high profile artists. On her first mixtape, Sailing Not Selling, artists like Kanye West, Drake, Miguel, Gucci Mane, and Kendrick Lamar were all featured on the mixtape, her EP Sail Out was not much different, featuring Childish Gambino, Absoul and another Kendrick collaboration. However, on this project she ventured in a different direction, opting to be the main voice on the album outside of a small Common feature on the song "Pretty Bird."
Jhene is known for her personal lyrics, mid-to-slow tempo beats with a concentration on love and relationships. Souled Out is almost an extension of her mixtape and EP, as if she is completing the story. She remains true to the style she has crafted for herself since the release of her mixtape in 2013.
Overall, the album has a chill vibe utilizing the guitar and a soft drum for the majority of the instrumentation, while Jhene delicately guides the beat. "W.A.Y.S," which is an acronym for why aren't you smiling, is one of my favorite tracks on the album. This song is an uplifting song encouraging audiences to seek positivity in adversity and push through. "W.A.Y.S" was written in dedication of Jhene's late brother Miyagi and daughter.
"The Pressure," is another one of my favorites and one of the sexier songs on the album. It discusses the stresses resulting from relationships that mount and cause pressure. Pressure to stay and pressure to leave, the pressure from a career and so forth. "Eternal Sunshine," is one of her more reflective songs, contemplating the idea of death, which Jhene seems to have a sense of comfortability and peace. Finally, the album closes with a freestyle from Jhene, similar to the way she ended Sail Out with the bonus track "Comfort Ending."
All in all, I would rate the album a 6.5 out of 10, the lyrics are relatable with moments of thought provoking content that encourages the listeners to reflect. Jhene's positive spirit seeps into her music, promoting a happy existence that lacks drama and stress. However, the album is not without fault, the similar style of the beats and lack of features made the album seem a bit repetitive and one dimensional.
Check out Jhene Aiko's new video to single "The Pressure" off of her new album Souled Out.
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