British R&B singer Ella Mai delivers an enjoyable, well-rounded contemporary R&B album with her self-titled debut.  It’s much more than just “Boo’d Up.”

As unfortunate as it is, in modern times, it’s had to get truly excited about R&B albums. Yeah, I said it. Why? The buzz for the genre as a whole simply isn’t the same as it once was. Once upon a time, R&B was king. All of that considered, when a young, promising artist like British singer Ella Mai comes around, there’s definitely hope for the fading genre. Throughout the course of her self-titled debut, Mai gives R&B fans a reason to keep on believing… or something along those lines!

“Good Bad”

Ella Mai kicks off with an interlude, “Emotion,” which she asserts the ‘E’, first letter of her name, stands for.  Throughout the course of the album, embedded within various tracks, she uses each letter of her name as a representative of something.  ☑ “Good Bad,” hence, serves as the first full-length record.  The rhythmic opener doesn’t disappoint, finding Mai showing off capable vocals, a feisty attitude chocked-full of swagger, and a repetitive, if hella catchy chorus.

“With that good-bad behavior

(Good, good, good, good, bad)

Good, bad

(Good, good, good, good, bad)

I’m good-bad for you, I’m good-bad for you.”

Following a solid start with “Good Bad,” Ella Mai keeps the ‘heat’ going with ☑ “Dangerous.” Notably, one of the hottest R&B producers of the contemporary R&B of the past is behind the boards, Bryan-Michael Cox.  He does work, as always. As for Mai, she’s ‘head over hills’ for her man, and he seems to feel the same way.  Because the “L” word seems to be involved (“I know the risk in love”), things have become “dangerous.” “Sauce” keeps the album rolling along enjoyably, with Mai continuing to exhibit freshness, particularly on the irresistible chorus:

“So, tell me if it gets too much

Tell me if you bit too much

Boy, act right ‘cause it’s cool if

There’s too much sauce in the food for you.”

“Whatchamacallit”

Standout ☑ “Whatchamacallit” is a mid-tempo, minor-key cut produced by DJ Mustard and J. Holt.  The vocal production surrounding Ella Mai and featured guest Chris Brown is strong. Both artists sound fresh and modern, idiomatic of R&B ala 2018. Mai sings the majority of the first verse by herself, though the opening line – “I know you got a girlfriend” – is sung alongside Brown.  The premise of the first verse you ask? Creeping. On the chorus, she continues to lead the charge, with a few exceptions.

“It’s something ‘bout being wrong that just feels so right

Think about it in the morning ‘cause we be all night

And baby, we could keep going ‘cause you already know

That you’d never stop the show until you see the lights…

I ain’t cheating, it’s a whatchamacallit…”

Brown sings all of the second verse, embracing a sexual the vibe, yet managing to keep things clean. All in all, it is among the more alluring moments from Ella Mai.

Two songs that share the word “shot” in their title follow “Whatchamacallit.”  The first of which is “Cheap Shot,” which finds Mai’s man making her do things she usually doesn’t do.  Naturally, the wordplay with “shot” is intriguing (alcohol, and how he influences her).  Arguably, ☑ “Shot Clock” is the better record of the two, if only by a smidgen.  Expectedly, Mai does wonders with the basketball reference, not to mention awesome production by Mustard.  Notably, “Shot Clock” samples the Drake song, “Legend” (from If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late). The pre-chorus is superb:

“When that n***a pull up on me, tell that n***a back, back

Don’t you know all of these n***as wish that they could bag that?

I’m just saying, boy, you’re playing, you’re gon’ let it wind down

You got 24 seconds and it’s starting right now.”

“Boo’d Up”

“Listen to my heart go ba-do, boo’d up / Biddy-da-do, boo’d up.” “Shock Clock” is an awesome lead-in to the undisputed ‘crown jewel’ of Ella Mai, ☑ “Boo’d Up.” Despite the fact that the record has been on the radar for a while, it continues to shine brightly.  Mai sounds superb vocally, showing off her chops, while also pulling off the memorable (if repetitive and gimmicky) chorus magnificently.  Despite the fact that “Boo’d Up” is a ‘hard act to follow’, ☑ “Everything,” featuring John Legend, holds its own.  What makes this record so effective is the old-school vibes, which contrast the slightly more contemporary, more modern “Boo’d Up.” Legend is always a perfect collaborator when it comes to preserving and integrating the soul music of the past.

“Own It” is a lushly-produced slow-jam which serves as another effective showcase of Ella Mai’s gorgeous, nuanced pipes.  This is a record that should appeal to the traditionalists as well as the younger crowd of R&B listeners.  The vocal harmonies are excellent.  Mai keeps things short and sweet on “Run My Mouth,” which inches past two-and-a-half minutes in duration.  Nonetheless, it’s a worthwhile two-and-a-half-minutes, continuing to be idiomatic of urban contemporary in 2018, intact with f-bomb and a show, unhurried tempo.  She pairs up with fellow, rising R&B singer H.E.R. on ☑ “Gut Feeling.” Much like the other collaborations, the chemistry is impressive. So is the harmonic progression, production, and a high-flying chorus.

“I’ve just got a gut feeling

Don’t know why I don’t know what it was, really

But the more we touch, the more it starts killin’ me

Killin’ me

Just have a gut feeling

Killin’ me.”

“Trip”

“I put my feelings on safety / So I don’t go shootin’ where your hearts be / ‘Cause you take the bullet tryna save me / Then I’m left to deal with makin’ you bleed.” ☑ “Trip” thrives for a number of reasons, including the piano that remains throughout the course of the record. Ella Mai continues to impress with absolutely stunning, nuanced vocals. The songwriting stands out as well, coming over honest and poetic. The chorus is catchy and memorable:

“But I think that I’m done trippin’, I’m trip-trippin’

I’ve been sippin’, that’s how I control This feelin’, you keep givin’

You keep on hittin’ it ooh, oh

Maybe it’s your love, it’s too good to be true…”

Some of the best moments of “Trip” are actually a bit gimmicky, but in a great way.  These are the rhythmic, vocally harmonized lines that show off Mai’s personality.  The best example of this occurs on the post-chorus when she sings, “My bad, my bad for, trippin’ on you (trippin’ on you).” “Trip” = surefire bop.

Following a full slate, three more songs grace Ella Mai. “Close” continues to help the project excel at its role of an appealing, urban contemporary LP.  It may not eclipse the crème de la crème, but it’s easily above average, worthy of spins.  Penultimate number “Easy” gives Mai yet another great ballad, with a beautiful melody with an equally beautiful backdrop to match.  Bonus cut “Naked” closes things out respectably.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, Ella Mai delivers an enjoyable, well-rounded contemporary R&B album with her self-titled debut.  If there was any doubt, Ella Mai is much more than break out hit “Boo’d Up.” Mai gives the listener great vocals, some memorable songs, and most of all, assurance that R&B music still has a viable future. She doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but this is a strong effort overall.

☑ Gems: “Good Bad,” “Dangerous,” “Whatchamacallit,” “Shot Clock,” “Boo’d Up,” “Everything,” “Gut Feeling” & “Trip”

Ella Mai • Ella Mai • 10 Summers / Interscope • Release: 10.12.18

Photo Credits: 10 Summers / Interscope