Jhené Aiko: Chilombo
Our favorite sativa songstress has blessed us with yet another album titled after her surname, Chilombo! Crystal alchemy in every track, failed relationships and boss bitch energy are the main focuses of this newly released project. In this 20 track meditative album that was exclusively recorded on the Big Island of Hawaii , we can expect to hear an elevated sound from Jhené, proof of her evolution as an artist. With features from artists like Nas, H.E.R., Future, Miguel and of course Big Sean, this body of work is sure to include a few soon-to-be classics.
“I’m still in transition, but I’m still me. I still love to write all types of songs and listen to all types of music, but Chilombo definitely has a lot more acoustic instruments because I wanted it to be music that you can feel”. “You can hear what the mic was picking up in the room. Everyone was playing actual instruments, [and] those resonate with you differently than digital. Chilombo is all of my projects that I put out prior to this combined. This is the baby — but it’s the evolved version.”
It’s been awhile since I really dived deep into a new body of work and I’m happy to say that Jhené definitely set the standard! I feel like she is the queen of toxicity wrapped in a beautiful 5’2” package and to be honest…I’m not even mad at it. Jhené says what a lot of us are feeling but get criticized for saying!
“Back up on my bullshit
Back up on the scene
Out here actin’ foolish, like I’m seventeen
I just bought a new whip, don’t need gasoline (Yeah)
I just seen your new bitch, it boost my self-esteem (Oh babe)
Back up on my bullshit
Back up on the scene
Done dealing with you
Don’t know how to deal with me
Done fuckin’ with you, don’t know how to love me
Done dealing with you, so I’m back, yeah (Bitch)”
“I got you sprung off in the spring time
Fuck all your free time
You don’t need no me time
That’s you and me time
We be gettin’ so loud
That dick make my soul smile
That dick make me so proud, ooh, oh
Now lay your head down on the pillow
I’ma fuck you real slow
Need to hear you say my name
Close your eyes and let your feels go
Now you’re gettin’ real close
Baby, I am on the way”
With a slew of visuals to accompany Chilombo, this project was just what we needed to pick up 2020! My favorite being, None Of Your Concern, Jhené truly opens up in this peaceful visual. I feel like most people remembered Big Sean’s infamous line “I made you cum 9 times in one day” but they’re forgetting the most meaningful lines come from Ms. Jhené herself. In the song, she briefly speaks on suicidal thoughts and this isn’t the first time she’s hinted at this either. Although it’s probably not such a big concern anymore as she stated that although she finds a sense of peace in dying, she believes it’s too selfish.
All in all, Chilombo is an amazing work of art and I wouldn't be surprised to see it nominated for a few awards in the future but in the meantime it’ll have a home in my Apple Music & Spotify playlists! Stream the album below and be on the lookout for Jhené in your city for her The Magic Hour Tour!
Words by Maya Clark // @mayaexplains