Album Review: Chilombo by Jhené Aiko

There have been so many good album releases lately, but I have to say that my favorite album as of right now is Chilombo by Jhené Aiko. With it being her third album, she has a unique way of flipping R&B beats with her lyrical genius, while also making it a meditative album. Every song has a self-discovery and healing aspect, whether it is an ancient bowl’s transcendental tones, or  the usage of chakras, known to calm anxiety. The album has twenty tracks and runs for an hour and three minutes.

1. Lotus (Intro)

This song has done wonders for me. It’s short, sweet, and to the point. It gives me genuine chills with the tone of her voice here; it is so calming and welcomes youinto the album.

2. Triggered (freestyle)

If a toxic relationship could be a song, this one is it. I haven’t even been in a serious relationship, yet this makes me feel like he is already guilty in whatever he said he didn’t do. This song was entirely freestyled, which is super impressive, and I think this is one of the best songs on the album.

3. None of Your Concern (feat. Big Sean)

Big Sean is Jhené Aiko’s boyfriend, but during this song, they’re dissing each other. It’s one of the more resonant songs on Chilombo where you have to listen to the lyrics and get a grasp onto what they’re both saying. This song gives me TWENTY88 feelings (Jhené and Big Sean’s group name), and they created a fantastic piece of work together.

4. Speak

This song is sad. It is one of her more underrated tracks on the album and deserved as much hype as her other songs (like “... Fairy (OTW)” or “B.S.”) had. The song is about her being free from a relationship and being able to finally be her true self. This song is filled with emotion and gives the listener a freeing feeling of capability and knowing your true worth.

5. B.S. (feat. H.E.R.)

This song is about going through a rebound. She wanted to leave her boyfriend for not knowing how to treat her right, but yet she’s back once again. The music, I would say, is very toxic, but it’s also relatable. 

6. … Fairy (OTW)

In this song, listeners get to hear a different side of Jhené, and I suggest you listen to it if you want to know what I’m talking about. I love the beat to this song. Anytime I hear it, I just automatically become happy.

7. Happiness Over Everything (feat. Future & Miguel)

Jhené outdid herself with this song. This song was originally on her first mixtape “Sailing Souls,” but she decided to sample it again and make it more modern, and she did just that. I am shocked at how well all of their voices compliment one another This is an appreciation song to women who know what they want and don’t settle for less.

8. One Way St. (feat. Ab-Soul)

Six words--Why is this song so underrated? This song is about Jhené feeling sanity and relief and knowing she’s not completely perfect, claiming that she feels like she’s going down a one-way street. I loved it so much. It’s not my song of choice, but it definitely deserves way more attention.

9. Define Me (interlude)

This song has been my go-to when I need to relax after a stressful day. You can hear the tunes and instruments that helped Jhené produce the anxiety-relieving effects that we all need at times. 

10. Surrender (feat. Dr. Chill)

Surrender is one of those songs you can listen to on a morning walk or while you’re at the gym.. The synchronization, blending of the vocals, and the harmonies during the chorus is immaculate and talently mixed. 

11. Tryna … (feat. Micahfonecheck)

I can’t lie. This has to be one of my favorite songs in the album. In this song, Jhené discusses how when she gets a hold of her friends for a night of fun, and they bring something that gives her a peace of mind.She feels like she can fly and how she never wants to come down. She introduces the song by making us feel like that’s what’s missing from her and how she needs this more than ever.

12. Born Tired

This song is for people who need a little inspiration in their life. If you feel like life is genuinely not working out as planned, rest assured, this song can bring reassurance that you didn’t know you needed to keep going.

13. LOVE

Being another one of my favorites, LOVE is, as inferenced from the title, about loving yourself, and knowing how to love others, even if you doubt that true love is real.

14. 10k Hours (feat. Nas)

This song is super sad. Jhené touches on how she misses her boyfriend and how she feels like she can’t lose him, no matter what they’ve been through.

15. Summer 2020 (interlude)

If you need a song that makes you feel worthy, this is one. This is a continuation of 10k Hours, and how she misses her boyfriend by her side.

16. Mourning Doves

This song is about how she saw beautiful doves in the morning, but how, when she took the time to think about it, they were symbolizing mourning her and her boyfriend’s love. I love this song and the way it transitions into the next song.

17. Pray for You

After losing her boyfriend, she is talking about how she still prays for the best of her ex. She wants him to succeed and win in life.

18. Lightning & Thunder (feat. John Legend)

I have no clue why everyone ignores this song. Her voice is so angelic in this song, and it holds a powerful message. This song is about heartbreak and shows her expression of how she feels like her life is incomplete. John Legend also sounds fantastic in this. He adds so much emotion to this song.

19. Magic Hour

A continuation of Lightning & Thunder, she is singing about how she is content with life but is still waiting for the right person to come into her life. I love the soft tone of the song.

20. Party for Me (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)

The last song on the album, Party for Me, is about how Jhené wants everyone to celebrate her death rather than mourn. When she’s gone, she wants everyone to party hard for her and have a good night. I like this song, but in all honesty, it did not need Ty Dolla $ign.