Souled out jhene aiko
The next song, “To Love & Die” was the first single off the album, and it has both a memorable chorus and borrowed lyrics from the 50 Cent track, “Many Men,” making it a strong first single. She takes the time to remind herself to stand tall as she sings, “Life only gets harder but you gotta get stronger / this is for my brother / I do this for my daughter.”The underlying string instruments paired with echoed drumbeats that are reminiscent of raindrops create a melancholy that inspires feelings of defeat and strength. She then segues into “W.A.Y.S.,” a song about pushing through pain, and one of the strongest tracks on the album. She opens with “Limbo Limbo Limbo,” a track that is seemingly about her own life thus far and the fear of being unable to control it.
The stress of all of these events is present in each moving track off Souled Out. While Aiko’s career has begun to take off, her family life has been changing rapidly, from the birth of her daughter to the loss of her brother after his battle with cancer. The overall mood of the album is both hopeful and forlorn, reflecting the events of her past few years. She sings about her family, her fears and aspirations, and lays it over complex, soulful instrumentals that capture the feelings exhibited in her words. While Aiko’s signature blend of R&B and hip-hop still remains, her most recent album opens up new doors into her history and personal life. The tracks are packed with raw emotion and deal with themes of love and loss.
Jhene Aiko’s studio debut album Souled Out sees the R&B artist at her most personal and introspective.