Jhené Aiko didn’t break out as much as she seeped in. Her path to stardom began with her maiden mixtape in 2011, Sailing Souls. The project showcased both her soft, sensuous vocals and her penchant for everygirl songwriting. From there, she landed guest spots with Kendrick Lamar (“B***h Don’t Kill My Vibe”), Big Sean (“Beware”), Drake (“From Time”), and others before unloading her follow-up EP, Sail Out, an effort that only refined her gifts. Then came the real level up. Released in 2014, Souled Out is an album that made clear Aiko’s ability to write emotionally transparent lyrics and cultivate rich sonic atmospheres. Transparent, yet imbued with stylish mystique, the LP established Aiko as one of the defining alt R&B stylists of her era.
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Coated in dreamy, disembodied soundscapes from No I.D., Souled Out plays out like a dazed meditation. Tracks like the opener “Limbo Limbo Limbo” feel like the beginning of a fairytale. “Spotless Mind” sounds like the middle of one. The atmospheric instrumentals let Aiko’s gentle, yearning soprano bathe in ambiance as she relates tales of fractured love and personal catharsis. The supple textures soften harsh observations. “To Love & Die” sees Aiko reflect on a romantic life that only operates in extremes; her shift from serene crooning to sing-songy raps is as abrupt as a realization. Meanwhile, “The Pressure” is an exercise in reassurance, with Aiko’s lithe tone evoking intimacy, understanding, and vague frustration. Her tonality, as well as the lyrics themselves, paint Aiko’s feelings in every gradient of color. Light, yet brooding – blunt, yet sweet – it’s a balancing act Aiko spent years developing. Souled Out is the moment she perfected the approach.
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The album was released to commercial success, moving 70,000 units on its way to a No. 3 debut on the Billboard 200 charts. Reflecting just how ahead of the curve she was, it still sounds fresh today, earning a gold certification in 2020. More importantly, it announced a singer growing into her power. Fusing ethereal sounds with visceral emotionality, Souled Out became a R&B blueprint for many that have followed in her wake.
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