“None of Your Concern” is a regret song featuring Big Sean.
Future starts off sounding like a sedated hype man for what is essentially a duet between Aiko and a vocally neutered Miguel, with the song descending into complete chaos by the time Future’s rap verse comes in. “Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.)” in particular is a mess. Many albums in the past have managed to pull off including a large amount of guest stars before (Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy comes to mind immediately), but it is a very tricky feat indeed, considering how easy it is for the overall message to get lost the more voices you add to an album. “Unnecessary” would also describe much of the guest slots on this album, of which there are ten. The removal of a few tracks and the trimming down of a few more would greatly benefit the album and give it some much-needed brevity. The biggest problem with Chilombo is its length clocking in at one hour and three minutes, there are several tracks that sound repetitive at best, and unnecessary at worst. I feel similarly about the album as a whole. I can’t help but wonder if one or two more takes would have made this song among the best in her catalogue. Unfortunately these moments are quickly spoiled with Aiko’s inconsistent singing bowls and songwriting. The prime example of this being “Define Me - interlude.” It’s very ethereal, and there are a few moments where the track almost sounds great.
At times it feels more self-indulgent than free-flowing. Unfortunately as the album goes on, it loses much of its momentum and sense of direction. This is Aiko at her best, taking influence from the likes of Alicia Keys and Erykah Badu as a piano plays confidently in the background, she knows what she’s about here, and she is in complete control. The opening two tracks, “Lotus” and “Triggered (Freestyle),” do indeed channel a free-flowing jam session energy. Aiko has described this album as both “an eruption” and a “free-flowing jam session.” This claim is put to the test throughout, with heavily mixed results. Her third effort, Chilombo, is more of the same. She has undeniable vocal talent, is confident in her own abilities, and there’s a certain charm in her music that, while not always consistent in quality, is always consistent in personality. See below for dates and locations.Ġ5/02 – New York, NY Radio City Music HallĠ5/08 – Los Angeles, CA Lovers & Friends Music FestivalĠ5/09 – Los Angeles, CA Lovers & Friends Music FestivalĠ5/11 – Nashville, TN Marathon Music WorksĠ5/15 – Gulf Shores, AL Hangout FestivalĠ5/19 – New Orleans, LA The Orpheum TheaterĠ5/20 – Houston, TX Revention Music CenterĠ5/23 – Austin, TX ACL Live at the Moody TheaterĠ5/30 – Las Vegas, NV The Chelsea at The CosmopolitanĠ6/20 – Philadelphia, PA Franklin Music HallĠ6/21 – Toronto, ON Queen Elizabeth TheatreĠ6/27 – Saint Kitts St.Jhene Aiko is an ambitious artist, no one can deny. Tickets go on sale the same day the album releases, March 6. Other assists on the album include hip hop great Nas, Miguel, Big Sean, John Legend and more.Īiko will be supporting Chilombo with a North American tour beginning May 1. Aiko is making bold statements and erupting like a volcano with her first single P*$$Y Fairy (OTW) as well as collaborating with the talented H.E.R. Her head bobbin new project Chilombo will have you floating on a natural eargasmic high. Jhene Aiko is truly a force to be reckoned with and has shown how relevant she is in the world of music.