Review
'While We Wait 2' sees Kehlani returning to her R&B roots after the experimental vibes of 'Crash'. Released on August 28, 2024, this mixtape serves up a consistent, soulful sound that longtime fans will find familiar and comforting. The project kicks off with 'Love Like', a brief but sweet love song that sets the stage for the intimate lyricism that follows.
Collaborations are a highlight of this album, with tracks like 'Clothes Off' featuring kwn standing out for its seductive and unabashedly queer lyrics. This song, along with 'Form of You' featuring DESTIN CONRAD and Childofnines, showcases the support and creativity within the Queer artist community. The mixtape wraps up with remixes of two tracks from 'Crash', adding a touch of continuity to Kehlani's discography.
While 'While We Wait 2' offers a nostalgic return to Kehlani's earlier style, it sometimes struggles with repetitiveness. Some listeners might find the simple verses and choruses lacking the depth and wordplay of her previous work. The quick release after 'Crash' suggests a potentially rushed production process, which might explain the album's occasional predictability. Nevertheless, fans of Kehlani's soulful R&B will likely find plenty to enjoy in this heartfelt mixtape. - Ellis
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.
