Album Review: Jhené Aiko - Chilombo

Following 2017’s Trip, it may not have seemed possible for Jhené Aiko to top her second album, however, Chilombo, the title taken from her surname she shares with her father, proves to be a home run. From Trip, a reflective, somewhat grief based LP, Chilombo listens as a more down to earth set of songs that sees her looking forward and comes in at just over an hour long. Mostly recorded on Hawaii’s big island where her great-grandmother was born, Jhené describes the album as a “time-lapse of an unassuming volcano erupting gracefully with its lava flowing freely… settling and creating new land and new life.” The album also heavily incorporates the use of ancient crystal alchemy bowls, which Aiko enjoys experimenting with as they are said to be physically and mentally healing on a cellular level.

It's not hard to see her point. From early single Triggered (freestyle), which was then followed up by remixes with some of R&B’s hottest rising stars: Summer Walker and 21 Savage, we might perceive the album as being more restrained, but this is the first look at the many varied sides of Chilombo. Second single None Of Your Concern features frequent collaborator and close friend Big Sean, and sees them trade lines about an entirely too nosy ex, with backing vocals from Ty Dolla $ign. Other standout tracks include B.S. featuring H.E.R., 10k Hours, Born Tired, and single P*$$Y Fairy, which Aiko released a super clean version of just three weeks before Chilombo. Jhené’s third full-length project is jam-packed full of more guest stars, including Nas, Miguel, Future, Ab-Soul, John Legend and even Jhené’s father, credited as Dr. Chill. 

The album feels meditative and gentle, turbulent and restorative all at once. It has inflections of Aiko’s trademark R&B style that she made her name with, but as she leans into a more spiritual era sonically, she seems creatively, at her peak. Her incredible ability to tell a story makes you want to take the journey with her, especially as she manages to span almost the entire spectrum of human emotion within these 20 tracks. Overall, Chilombo is a walk through Aiko’s psyche, hand in hand, meeting all her best friends and touching everything beautiful along the way. She has always embraced her own brand of chill, otherworldly R&B, and this LP is a testament to the success an artist can have when they create something they are truly passionate about. Fans have waited long enough for Jhené’s third album, and this is one project that definitely lives up to, if not exceeds the hype.

Reviewed by: Grayson Harris-Paul