In layman’s phrases, a crash is outlined as two events coming into contact with one another violently, with out the implication of morality, emotion, or intent. On the album opener and tribute to the titular ‘90s R&B duo – ‘GrooveTheory’ – Kehlani doesn’t patiently set the scene. They conjure up a fiery collision of sound and plant themself into the observe’s palpable, misty environment. Within the second leg of ‘GrooveTheory’, the observe’s flame rapidly disperses, and the singer culls collectively a salvo of sultry and psychedelic mantras pulled immediately from the Kehlani playbook.
Arguably, an artist’s fourth album has unwritten guidelines certain to them. Will they preserve the formulation that made them profitable, or will they reinvent themselves as new? Kehlani selected the latter possibility. Gone is the wide-eyed, retro-inspired R&B of ‘Cloud 19’, ‘You Ought to Be Right here’ and ‘SweetSexySavage’. Equally, the neo-soul musings of ‘Whereas We Wait’ are within the rear-view mirror, and the quaint, aquatic serenity discovered on ‘Blue Water Street’ has lengthy since evaporated.
Loosely talking, ‘Crash’ picks up the place ‘It Was Good Till It Wasn’t’ left off, weaving notes of dystopia and emotional turmoil (‘Chapel’, ‘Lose My Spouse’) with themes of affection, lust, and longing (‘Vegas’, ‘8’) all through its 13-track run. This time that includes glossier beat-work and grandiose concepts, ‘Crash’ is Kehlani’s shot at an R&B traditional, stripping the style all the way down to its most intimate parts and reforging it utilizing avant-garde strokes of genius.
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Leading single ‘After Hours’ is likely to be certainly one of Kehlani’s smartest chess strikes to date. The observe presents itself as a light-hearted, albeit by-the-numbers retelling of Cordel “Scatta” Burrell’s 2003 sample-magnet ‘Coolie Dance Rhythm’. Surprisingly, ‘After Hours’ exists (virtually) alone within the file’s mainstream pop district. As a substitute, Kehlani’s pump pretend extenuates the file’s riskier moments. The Omah Lay-assisted ‘Tears’ is elegant, stitching collectively parts of Afro-fusion, shimmering synths, and acid home.
Regardless of its labyrinth of texture, replayability, and general cohesion, it’s unlucky that the songwriting on ‘Crash’ sometimes falls quick. The mid-album guitar ballad ‘Higher Not’ feels dated in its strategy, with Kehlani cloyingly lamenting over heartbreak and wrongdoings. Sadly, this observe is lukewarm at finest.
Regardless of the occasional shaky minimize, the songwriting excels in quite a few spots throughout the album. The title observe, ‘What I Need,’ and the Jill Scott and Younger Miko collaboration ‘Sucia’ resonate barrels of confidence. Kehlani experiments throughout the crop of gems, incorporating a smattering of crystalline ballads, flirtatious rap detours, and rock riffs.
‘Crash’ reaffirms all the pieces followers love about Kehlani. The file represents each the fragmented state of the artist’s life and the world at giant. Positioned as an imperfect protagonist, Kehlani navigates poor choices, steamy romantic encounters, and risk-taking inside and outdoors the sales space. Followers are invited to waltz above the drama and take within the popcorn-worthy spectacle in all its unfiltered glory.
The quick and well-paced tracklist is prone to depart followers craving for extra. If Kehlani aimed to create a collision of the soul and thoughts, for essentially the most half, they succeeded.
8/10
Phrases: Niall Smith // @niallsmith28
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