#16. Jhené Aiko – ‘Souled Out’
Three years since the breakout release of her mixtape Sailing Soul(s) and fans of Jhené Aiko were finally blessed with her official debut album Souled Out. Following unexpected chart topping success with her dark single “The Worst,” off her 2013 Sail Out EP, the anticipation for her full-length album was at an all time high.
A cohesive LP of lush, moody soundscapes, Jhené further extended her brand of hippie soul with tales of love, vulnerability, pain and pleasure. On the breezy “Spotless Mind” she sings about her drifting ways: “I started as a love song, 24 years in the making / Moving from place to place and I never really settled down.” On “Lyin King” she dabbles in psychology singing: “Mr. Serial Lover, I wish your mother loved you like I could’a that way you would’a known how to love a woman.” Perhaps the signature song of the Souled Out is the hypnotic “Wading,” which finds Aiko in limbo between two lovers. “I am not perfect, I would never let you think I was more than this / As good as it gets I’ll have one regret, you’re something I cannot miss.”
The album was certainly therapy for Jhene, and can clearly be for others who are just looking for smooth vibes to escape to. (Insert any cliché sailing metaphor here…) – J.W.
uhm where is Guy Sebastian? Pretty crappy top 20 tbh.
where my man Joe at? Bridges was dope!!
I liked Mariah’s album as well. I’m still shocked that not to many people got to hear it. Dave Hollister and Johnny Gill and Dave Hollister’s albums were also pretty decent.
D’Angelo definitely had my favorite album last year.
Chris Brown & August Alsina had some good albums too but that’s about it. I hope Badu and Soulchild come with some heat this year.
TINASHE
JMSN had the best R&B album of the year.
R. Kelly had the best R&B album of 2014. #BlackPanties
Glad to see Rochelle Jordan on the list. Her album was so good! Tinashe definitely deserved to be in the top 5 as well. Another great album!
Sorry But SexPlayList is the thing Omarion did.
what about keyshia cole – point of no return and ashanti – braveheart?