Review
In "SweetSexySavage," Kehlani invites listeners into a kaleidoscopic journey through her world, where each corner glows with a unique hue. Released on January 27, 2017, this album is an illustrative collage of R&B, brimming with vibrant energy and layers of emotional intensity. With its three defining themes—Sweet, Sexy, and Savage—the album indulges in the multifaceted dimensions of Kehlani's persona, underscoring her artistic vision in a kaleidoscope of sound.
The album waltzes through various moods and textures, thanks to the production talents of Pop & Oak, Jahaan Sweet, and Charlie Heat. Tracks like "CRZY" and "Distraction" jump with buoyant beats, making waves on the charts. Meanwhile, tunes such as "Piece of Mind" and "Everything Is Yours" emerge from quieter, more shadowy spaces, inviting you to linger on your own introspections.
Kehlani’s soaring voice and raw honesty take center stage, making tracks like "Not Used to It," "Too Much," and "Do U Dirty" instant visceral connections. "Gangsta," a haunting ballad tied to the *Suicide Squad* film, became a soaring success, adding another layer to the album’s appeal. "SweetSexySavage" not only climbed to number three on the US Billboard 200 but achieved gold status for its golden echo of over half a million units sold. Underneath the energetic exterior, it's Kehlani’s sincere introspection that gives warmth to each listener’s heart, and an essence which gently glistens in the pantheon of 2010s R&B triumphs. - Lucia
Artist Bio
Kehlani is a singer, songwriter, and dancer from Oakland, California, who first came to national attention as part of the teen pop group PopLyfe in 2011 before launching her solo career with the *Cloud 19* mixtape in 2014. Blending R&B, pop, and electronic influences, Kehlani signed with Atlantic Records in 2017 and released her debut studio album, *SweetSexySavage*, that same year. Her discography includes critically praised projects like *While We Wait*, *It Was Good Until It Wasn't*, *blue water road*, and *CRASH*, and she's collaborated with artists such as Eminem. Kehlani is known for both her genre-blurring sound and energetic live shows, earning recognition from outlets like Time magazine. Fans of H.E.R., SZA, and Jhené Aiko will likely find her music appealing.
