For my first album review, I will be discussing Jhene Aiko’s latest release “Chilomobo”, titled after her father’s last name. We last heard from Jhene on her 2017 release “Trip”, which featured singles “Sativa” and “While We’re Young” which together have garnered over 236 million streams on Spotify.
Jhene Aiko has a soothing, ethereal voice that she incorporates very well into the tone of her music. I believe there is a sense of healing power to her voice and production, especially on this record where she stated that she incorporated sound bowls into every single track that align with different chakras. I reached out to Jhene via Twitter during her Q&A and asked her about the writing process behind this record and how it differed from her past projects. To which she responded,

Our first introduction to this album was the platinum selling single, “Triggered (freestyle)”. In this song, Jhene sings about the loneliness and anger that follows a break-up (her own on again/off again relationship with frequent collaborator Big Sean). “All of our memories / all you meant to me / all that history / all that’s history” , she freestyles over a melodic beat.
This album is a collage of all the different experiences and emotions that we experience when going through the ups and downs of life, relationships, and everything in between. Songs like “Triggered” and “None of Your Concern” show the more angry, bitter feeling we may possess when going through loss while songs like “LOVE” and “Pray For You” seem to revel in the fact that giving love is never a regrettable decision.
Standouts: LOVE, Surrender, B.S., Tryna Smoke, Triggered, Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.)
Overall rating: ★★★★
Chilombo is an album that explores all different ranges, emotions and sounds. Her voice and the production are soothing, but some of the lyrics are filled with confusion, anger and disappointment. This album takes you on a journey through Aiko’s emotional turbulence and it is something that the majority of us can relate to. It is every bit worth the experience.
Check out some of my favorite Jhene tracks via Spotify and Apple Music:
