Jhené Aiko, Chilombo | Album Review 💿

On her enjoyable, though lengthy third studio LP, Chilombo, Jhené Aiko explores feelings in the aftermath of a breakup & works toward healing.

“In a sense, I am a like a volcano and this album is an eruption,” Jhené Aiko tells Carl Lamarre of Billboard, regarding her third studio album, Chilombo. Chilombo, which is named after her last name, follows her gold-certified sophomore album, Trip (2017).  Interestingly, Trip sort of flew under the radar. Chilombo arrives with more buzz, thanks to singles “Triggered (freestyle)”, “P*$$Y Fairy (OTW)”, and “Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.)”.  While the album ends up being too long (exceeding an hour in duration), Aiko does a nice job of expressing feelings in the aftermath of a breakup, healing, and ultimately, working towards moving forward.  There are plenty of moments to like about Chilombo.

“Triggered (freestyle)”

Chilombo commences with the smooth, jazzy, piano ballad, “Lotus – intro.” Jhené Aiko sets the tone of the album on this single-versed number as she sings about heartbreak and essentially, returning with a vengeance (“She found her focus, the beast awoken…”). Another smooth but pointed number, ✓ “Triggered (freestyle)” follows, fittingly, finding Aiko triggered by an ex-boyfriend. Many have speculated that the ex-bf “Triggered” is directed towards is none other than Big Sean. “Wanna fuck you right now / I just turned the lights out now,” she sings on the second verse, later adding, “Ain’t let nobody hit it since you hit it / … But ain’t no me and you without you in it.” The honesty is appreciated, and Aiko seems to be blunt and drop profanity without breaking a sweat.

Speaking of Big Sean, well, her ex appears on ✓ “None of Your Concern.” There’s no doubt whatsoever that Aiko and Sean speak about their relationship and moving beyond it here.  Obviously, from Aiko’s perspective, “It’s none of your [his] concern anymore,” considering they’re not an item anymore.  As for Sean, he cites his problems, the electrifying sex they once had, and does state, “I only want the best for you, movin’ forward.” On “Speak,” Aiko continues to take a step forward post-breakup, embracing a feminine, empowered perspective. One of the best lyrics: “I’m movin’ on, I’m puttin’ on my favorite dress / The one you hated, said I look naked in.”   

“B.S.”

If Aiko wasn’t fully charged back up on “Speak,” she definitely is fully charged on ✓ “B.S.” featuring H.E.R. “B.S.” features one of the catchiest choruses of Chilombo, as Jhené asserts, “Back up on my bullshit / Back up on the scene / Done dealing with you / Don’t know how to deal with me.” Aiko gives a top-notch performance on the chorus and the first verse.  So does H.E.R., who like her partner in crime writes off her lame ex and is back killing it: “I really thought it was love but you’re so fuckin’ whack.”

“Don’t be surprised, boy, when I bust it wide…” Aiko is notable for her seductive, sexy brand of music and ✓ “P*$$Y Fairy (OTW)”, is quite overt. The production is incredibly lush (Julian-Quan Viet Le) – urban to the core. Aiko is true to self vocally, never breaking a sweat, even as the lyrics are quite risqué – X-rated by all means.  She doesn’t ease the listener in either, asserting on the verse, “I know you love fuckin’ me…” On the refrain, she’s just plum filthy, though simultaneously delivering lyrics R&B fans are sure to remember for years to come: “We be gettin’ so loud / That dick make my soul smile / That dick make me so damn proud…” On the chorus, she asserts exactly what she does with her private parts:

“Don’t be surprised, baby, it’s just me
Don’t be surprised, boy, when I bust it wide
I hypnotize you with this pussy
Now you feel like you can fly.”

“P*$$Y Fairy (OTW), which appeared on 13 P Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason, is quite a steamy, envelope-pushing record. 😉 On ✓ “Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.)”, she’s assisted by a couple of Grammy-winning friends: Future and Miguel. Furthermore, she receives more lush production, courtesy of Fisticuffs.  Future kicks things off on the intro, where “Red roses damn near turn to ashes” and “These dirty blogs got your mind damaged.” Miguel takes the reins from there, handling the majority of the chorus:

“I hope she don’t think that I think that she some kinda ho
I don’t care, that just lets me know that she knows what she wants, yeah.”

Jhené Aiko enters the mix on the first verse, her biggest role as the lead artist, singing about sex: “That print in them sweatpants got me weak off in my knees.” Future is the main attraction once again on the second verse, definitely raising some eyebrows when he gets ‘spiritual’ (“They misunderstood me when they say I’m Jesus Christ / I just want you to worship me, I like what I like”). Although more Aiko would’ve been nice on “Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.),” it’s an enjoyable, sexy standout from Chilombo.

“One Way St.” 

On “One Way St.,” Jhené Aiko seems to be going the wrong direction (“Going the wrong way on a one-way street”). Aiko sings the few lyrics on this laid-back cut expressively without overreaching in the least. Ab-Soul contrasts with more lyrics, a delivering a more agile, rhythmic performance.  Like Aiko, he reflects on his state of mind and “bouncing back” from adversity.  “Define Me – interlude” features interesting production work that very minimalist and matches the enigmatic and reflective sentiment of the lyrics.  It nicely prefaces the laidback “Surrender,” which still finds her packing a punch despite her subtlety.  “I’m a boss bitch, how you don’t fuck with me?” she asks repeatedly towards the end.  “Surrender” features a ‘spiritual’ outro by Dr. Chill.

Jhené Aiko certainly ‘flies high’ on ✓ “Tryna Smoke,” where the weed references run rampant.  Even so, Aiko seems to want to clear and free her mind on this chill bop, more so than “Smokin’ on gas.” That said, Aiko has referenced weed previously, notably “Sativa” from her 2017 album, Trip. On “Born Tired” she’s “Tired, but fired up,” essentially ready for a new and better chapter. “‘Cause look at how far you have come,” she sings on the second verse, adding, “And look at all that you have going /… Baby, you gotta keep going.” One of the pros regarding “Born Tired” is the fact that she digs in more vocally.

“LOVE” 

✓ “LOVE” has a lighter, bright feel, which is a contrast to much of Chilombo. This is evident from the incredibly chill “la-la(s)” that grace the intro, sigh.  Cleverly, every line in the first two verses (not the third) spells out the word LOVE. Although she never erupts into gospel histrionics (that’s un-Jhené like), she delivers some pretty sweet, potent runs. ✓ “10k Hours” follows, featuring Nas.  This is an unexpected collaboration, but a successful one.  The production is old-school R&B at its best, a very fitting backdrop for Aiko to sing over, and for Nas to rap over.  Like much of Chilombo, past love is the theme.  “I’ve been missing you for ten thousand hours,” Jhené sings on the chorus, continuing, “I cannot let go, ten thousand memories.” As for Nas, “Now it’s cold, thought I had control, thought I took your soul / Nah, I took your mind, engraved my name / You told me that my mind is your favorite place to hang.”

“Summer 2020 – interlude” serves as a continuation of “10k hours,” finding Aiko still struggling to cope with the loss of her ex.  That leads into another slow, reflective record, “Mourning Doves,” which is certainly a vibe.  If it seemed like Aiko was stuck in the past on “10k Hours,” “Summer 2020 – interlude,” and “Mourning Doves,” she takes a positive leap forward on the brief “Pray for You.”  She takes the high road – she’ll “pray for you,” including “finding a confidant” and “get everything that I could not give to you.”

“Lightning & Thunder” 

Following a number of shorter songs, “Lightning & Thunder” runs a healthy four-and-a-half minutes. Jhené Aiko taps the soulful John Legend for the assist.  Honestly, this is a more unexpected collaboration than earlier one with Nas.  Why? Legend tends to be an overt, powerhouse, where we associate Aiko being much more chill – cool, calm, and collected.  Surprisingly, “Lightning & Thunder” is effective, with both vocalists meeting somewhere in the middle of two very distinct vocal approaches.

“Magic Hour” seems to segue (or nearly segue) seamlessly from “Lightning & Thunder.”  Aiko just seems to float along, at least initially.  That said, she actually packs more of a punch on the sole verse. “Party for Me” concludes Chilombo, enlisting the services of the ubiquitous Ty Dolla $ign.  Compared to the majority of the album, it’s an about face, with a more aggressive, West Coast sound.  Perhaps it’s out of character to some extent, but it’s a welcome contrast.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, there’s plenty to like about Chilombo.  Sure, it’s too long, but Jhené Aiko does a nice job of exploring and expressing her feelings in the aftermath of a breakup.  Furthermore, she works towards healing – moving forward.  Is this a profound, lyrical masterpiece? It has its moments, but you could argue the vibe supplants any lyrical profundity.  Selling points include beautiful, chilled out vocals, lush production work, and, of course, the vibe.

✓ Gems: “Triggered (freestyle),” “None of Your Concern,” “B.S.,” “P*$$Y Fairy (OTW),” “Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.),” “Tryna Smoke,” “LOVE” & “10k Hours”  

Jhené Aiko • Chilombo • Def Jam • Release: 3.6.20

Photo Credit: Def Jam