Jhene Aiko – ‘Souled Out’ [Album Review]

Today, Jhene Aiko released her major label debut Souled Out! Unlike her last project, Sail Out which featured many artists, Souled Out is a separate piece of work representing Jhene Aiko as she takes listeners on a emotional journey through her past and current life experiences. The album consists of 14 smooth, heartfelt tracks featuring Jhene’s angelic voice and tight lyricism. The album opens up with “Limbo Limbo Limbo”, which sets pace for the mystic journey as Jhene spits about a man who became to prideful for his own good. Despite emotion-packed songs like “Lyin King” and “The Pressure”, which will having you quoting lyrics out of frustration for the significant other, Jhene delivers spiritually uplifting tracks like “W.A.Y.S.” aka “Why Aren’t You Smiling?”, “Eternal Sunshine” and “Blue Dream”. The album has a couple collaborations including a freestyle titled “Pretty Bird” with rapper Common, “Promises”, a personal track featuring Jhene’s diseased brother, Miyagi and Jhene’s daughter Namiko and one of the album’s heavy-hitters, “To Live & Die” ft. Cocaine 80s. Other honorable mentions include a hopeful track titled, “Its Cool” and another smooth emotion-packed track “Wading”. Overall, Jhene’s Souled Out is just as majestic, colorful and heartfelt as it’s artwork. I believe that unlike many artists, Jhene’s debut was original and true! Souled Out is definitely an album for the true fan!

Jhene Aiko – “The Pressure”