Chlöe, In Pieces | Album Review 💿

Chlöe has some solid, enjoyable moments on her debut solo album, In Pieces, though it falls short of being a game changing contemporary R&B LP.

Arguably, the rollout for the solo career of 🏆 Grammy nominee 🎙 Chlöe (Chlöe Bailey) has been, um, questionable, or at least, a mixed bag.  Bailey had her share of moments in the process to be fair.  That said, ultimately, singles 🎵 “Have Mercy”, 🎵 “Treat Me”, 🎵 “Surprise” and 🎵 “For The Night” are excluded from her 2023 debut album, 💿 In Pieces. Is the album better without them? Ultimately, had they been included, I’m not certain it moves to the needle on In Pieces, an album that has its moments but  falls short of being a game changing contemporary R&B album. 

via GIPHY

“Someone’s Calling (Chlöe)” 

In Pieces commences in jazzy fashion with 🎵 “Someone’s Calling (Chlöe)”.  Why is it jazzy? Well, it samples a 1952 🎙 Louis Armstrong recording of 🎵 “Chlo-E (Song of the Swamp)”.  If nothing else, this meaningful song from the singer’s childhood provides the listener with a lovely, ear catching experience to begin album number one.

“Fuck nigga, fuck nigga, fuck nigga / I just learned to hate from a fuck nigga.” Wow! On 🤩 🎵 “Pray It Away”, Chlöe, not happy with this man, goes on to assert, “My feelings, my feelings, my feelings / They really got hurt by a fuck nigga.” While eloquence and finesse is not a trait of the songwriting on “Pray It Away,” brutal honesty is, and she truly excels.  The vocals are strong, carrying ample emotion in the case of this lame-o that wasted her time. Produced alongside a team including 🎛, ThankGod4Cody, Ecassshh, Pitt Tha Kid, Puredandy, “Pray It Away” is slickly executed – idiomatic of the 2020s R&B/hip-hop script.  Similarly, street lyricism (vernacular) is idiomatic of the times as well.  In the pre-chorus, she expresses even more anger, potentially mentioning violence towards him (“And if the option’s violence, don’t make me choose it”). However, in the chorus, she makes a wiser choice: “Maybe I should go and take it to church / And wash it away ‘cause I want that nigga to hurt / But I’ma just pray it away before I give him what he deserves first.” The spiritual ties are one of the biggest selling points, with even more explicit references made in the bridge – girlfriend gets down on her knees 🙏!

Appears in 🔻:

• Pray 🙏: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 13 (2023)
• 11 Songs Where, I Pray, The Prayers Go Up (2023)
• Awesome Songs: February 2023

“Body Do”

Following 🎵 “Pray It Away”, Chlöe asks a brutally honest question in the intro of 🤩 🎵 “Body Do”: “Do you ever wonder, like, who else is fucking your man?” 😳 Talk about setting the tone! On the brief single, she makes it clear this man is untrustworthy, BUT, “I’ma trust what that body do.” Um, okay! It is a sexual record, where she wants to ensure she’s serving up the body to him (“Who them other bitches that you had? / When you touch my body-ody, betcha I’ma make sure you forget them”).  She knows this isn’t a matter of love, BUT, when it comes to sex, she’s all in (“Give me that body, like this / Give me that stroking, like this”).  Calling “Body Do” refined would be a major overstatement 😈!  She follows up with the Latin vibes of 🎵 “I Don’t Mind,” produced alongside 🎛 P2J. Notably, she flaunths that husky, smoky lower register, arguably the biggest selling point of the fourth track.  Melodically, the lines tend to be quick rhythmically, but I’d argue the tunefulness of the songwriting is merely okay – not necessarily innovative itself.

🤩 🎵 “Worried” arrives next with its stupendous vocal layers at the onset.  After Chlöe makes it crystal clear she’s NOT worried, the production begins to establish itself.  Stitching up the track are 🎛 Metro Boomin and 🎛 DAVID x ELI who provide some punch behind singer.  Although a brief cut, it hits harder than “I Don’t Mind,” embracing hip-hop cues and presenting her as one fierce chick 💪.   “Worried” also benefits from its tuneful, rhythmic melodies and plenty of personality.  “Why you worried ‘bout me? Worried / I’m not worried, you not worthy.” 🎵 “Fallin 4 U” commences as chilly interlude, clocking in under one minute in duration.  Initially, I enjoy the aesthetic.  The outro, however, feels a bit sus, with needless profanity, focused on sex (“No, I said if some dick can do, you got to go get it, I feel you”). I’m not convinced it adds much substance, all told.

“How Does It Feel” 

“I gave you more than you wanted / I gave you more than you needed / So tell me, how does it feel / To lose the one you believe in?” Oh, snap 🫰, Chlöe! 🤩 🎵 “How Does It Feel” arrives as the second single from In Pieces She collaborates with controversial 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B artist, 🎙 Chris Brown.  An enjoyable effort, still you cannot deny or dismiss the backlash, given Brown’s reputation. Soul fuels “How Does It Feel” with producers 🎛 Cardiak and Hitmaka sampling 🎙 Dionne Warwick classic, 🎵 “You’re Gonna Need Me”. It’s a fitting backdrop, particularly considering the fact that a tumultuous love union is involved (“You’re gonna want me back in your arms” plays in the background). Brown performs the first verse, following the chorus – excerpted above – performed by Chlöe.  He asserts, in great voice, “So many feelings involved, the way you do me / Tell me, you ready or not? This ain’t The Fugees.” Woo! In the second verse, Chlöe, who also sings lovely, provides more context to the rift between them, telling Chris, “See that’s thing about trust / It’s never been about us” and “Gave you the key to my heart beat / You didn’t say it, but you said it / It shouldn’t have hurt me, but I let it.” Clearly, the feelings are bad for both parties, as the ugly side of love has reared its head.  Is the relationship over? It appears to be. Ultimately, 🎵 “How Does It Feel” is a vibe; one of the better songs from In Pieces.

“Feel Me Cry”

One neat element of 🎵 “Feel Me Cry” is the segues from 🎵 “How Does It Feel”; it’s an incredibly classy, musical moment from In Pieces.  Another pro are those rich vocals from Chlöe, one of the redeeming factors of the album even when the songs don’t always tick.  “Feel Me Cry” is sexy, a product of the layered vocals and the theme and vibe. The best section is undoubtedly the chorus: “When you’re holdin’ me tight / And you’re lovin’ me right / My tears can’t hide / I want you to feel me cry.” On 🎵 “Make It Look Easy”, she speaks about putting up a strong façade.  “Yeah, I make it look easy,” she asserts in the chorus, “But there’s so much I’m needin’.” I appreciate the theme if nothing else.  Does “Make It Look Easy” land as a true gem? Not quite – it feels as if it’s missing that extra gear or next level.

“I don’t wanna lose you, boy,” Chlöe sings in the chorus of 🎵 “Looze U,” continuing, “But I’ve gotta chain myself, can’t count on anybody else.”  Throughout this record, she experiences quite the quandary. She struggles with the course of her current relationship; she has mixed feelings. Obviously, the physical aspects are satisfying but she debates the legitimacy of their union and is worried about losing herself.  Ultimately, it is a relatable song. 🤩 🎵 “Told Ya” featuring 🎙 Missy Elliott benefits from being ‘all over the place’ – there’s a lot to take in.  Where this musical selection thrives is its colorful, minimalist production.  Hip-hop cues are written all over this one, ranging from the aggressive attitude Chlöe exudes (particularly in the first verse, which is more rapped than sung) to the instrumental (produced by Chlöe, 🎛 BoogzDaBeast, FNZ). Missy Elliott is electric, from her signature ad-libs to a wild verse (“Supa Dupa Fly, that be logo / That’s why these dudes on my cat like I’m Doja”). Woo! Even the bridge is surprised, contrasting the edgier, more aggressive approach that dominated “Told Ya” earlier.

“Cheatback”

“Find another boo from the hood with some tats / Give him what’s yours, show him I can throw it back…” WOO! On 🎵 “Cheatback”, Chlöe trades one rapper (Missy) for another 🎙 Future.  That said, early one, she dominates, sounding respectable in the process.  The record is all about retaliation – getting this lame cheating dude back by giving him a dose of his own medicine. She wants him to feel the pain he made her feel. Future provides the role of the guy who has done her wrong, trying to convince her she’s still into him.  The concept and theme are legit.

🎵 “Heart On My Sleeve” is the third and final interlude appearing on In Pieces.  It precedes 🤩 🎵 “In Pieces,” the title track.  Fittingly, “In Pieces” is a ballad that allows Chlöe’s voice to shine in all its beauty.  Furthermore, she shows a great degree of authenticity.  Again, matters of the heart plague her, with her fragmentation occurring because of him (“But you’ve got to believe it / I would die to keep you in my veins”). While “In Pieces” isn’t innovative, it is one of the better moments.

Final Thoughts 💭

All in all, Chlöe delivers a respectable debut solo album with 💿 In Pieces.  Is this a truly great album? No, but it shows the potential of Bailey as a solo artist.  There are some great, relatable themes explored at times.  Furthermore, there are some intriguing production cues too.  That said, not everything always works or delivers that surefire, undisputed knockout punch.  Basically, there are times on In Pieces I just want a smidge more.  Still, respectable start.

via GIPHY

🤩 Gems 💎: “Pray It Away,” “Body Do,” “Worried,” “How Does It Feel,” “Told Ya” & “In Pieces”

🎙 Chlöe • 💿 In Pieces • 🏷 Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia • 🗓 3.31.23

[📷: Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia]