Review: Jhené Aiko’s debut sets soulful bar high

Aiko’s voice projects strength and vulnerability, all at once, which is a tough thing to pull. On the second track, which she named ‘W.AY.S’ (short for ‘Why aren’t you smiling?’), she laments the fragility of life, the randomness of misfortune and an urge to bounce back after her brother’s death.While this is one of the […]

Aiko’s voice projects strength and vulnerability, all at once, which is a tough thing to pull. On the second track, which she named ‘W.AY.S’ (short for ‘Why aren’t you smiling?’), she laments the fragility of life, the randomness of misfortune and an urge to bounce back after her brother’s death.
While this is one of the few R&B albums to be played from beginning to end without tapping the fast-forward tab, stand-out tracks include ‘Wading’ (a deliberately misspelt ‘waiting’) on which she sings with so much soul about, well, waiting for love. “Picture me rolling,” the track begins, instantly invoking hip-hop/rap sensibilities. The emotion-dripping music in the background complements her vocal triumph and the song is bound to end up on repeat for many listeners.
On ‘Brave’, probably the best track on the album, Aiko sings about broken hearts being meant for two, proceeding to pay tribute to an absent object of affection. While she starts it with a stand-offish, defiant tone, it softens into an epic, violin-laden ballad in which she hopes an estranged-but-still-adored lover finds his way back to her.
‘Souled Out’ is a well-realised set of songs and a perfect follow-up to her aforementioned EP and a decade-long career as supporting artiste. She has blossomed into a vocalist and songwriter to be reckoned with, even at first try. The honest, personal edge and lived-in feel the album exudes drives home that the promise made by the title has been kept. The album is, indeed, souled out.