The long awaited album, "While We Wait 2" by Kehlani finally dropped and I must say it’s probably similar to her last album "CRASH", as in this album drove at least 90 mph into a wall. This album was not good. Personally, I was not a fan and I’m not sure what we are waiting for, but we did not need to listen to this while we waited.
Album cover for Kehlani's 'While We Wait 2'.
Are you guys not entertained? I finally have an album I’m disappointed in and I’m writing about it. This will not be a "aw man this was so great" review; we have approached the time for me to write about an album in a "negative" light. Brace yourselves as I try my absolute best to not sound biased, but also, square up, because I might hurt some feelings -- especially if you claim to be a profound Kehlani fan.
Alright, let’s get into it; why do I think the album was distasteful? I just can’t get into this whole toxic & heartbroken R&B. I’m not trying to sound like the "old heads" talking about how music was so much better back then, but I have to say, this new iteration of R&B is nuts.
The millennials know exactly what I’m talking about. We grew up watching people in music videos
screaming into the sky while rain drenched them. We heard people express their love or heartbreak with lyrics of nostalgia, regret of not behaving accordingly for their relationships and desires and longing for romance.
This is the biased part; I had Mario singing "Crying Out For Me" on max volume for no reason at 10 years old. I was looking out a window watching raindrops glide down as I listened to "Missing You" by Case. Don’t get me started on how Usher made me slide down my bedroom walls like those same raindrops on the window.
What happened to our country?
So with all of that considered, what the f--k is going on in "Border"? This woman is basically saying "let’s ignore my disorders and very visible problems and hope that being in love will solve them". I just don’t think lyrics like "And my exes wanna see me in a padded room, But I think I need nature and a Valium" and "...if they lock me up, would you come visit?" are memorable or enticing.
I just know that R&B usually makes me want to be healthily in love, not avoidant of it or romantic relationships in general.
Lately, some artists have been dabbling in R&B making it feel like heartbreak should be dealt with by using drugs and having vengeful thoughts and jealousy toward ex-lovers and desired partners who may not share the same intimate or romantic desires. Why?
I’m not sure why these ideas have been incorporated here, but its been enough where it’s definitely noticeable, and may even have a possible influence on listeners if they’re naive enough. If you’re listening to sh-t by Brent Faiyaz or anything from Drake post-2020, I mean, hey, this album might be lit for you, I don’t know.
Also, if you haven’t clenched your hand into a fist on the side of your pelvis like Arthur just yet...
"Around" is annoying as hell. Unfortunately, to me at least, the production sounds choppy and very disorganized and you can tell they didn’t intend it to be. They locked this beat in and was serious. It feels forced, rushed and some sounds felt unnecessary. In fact, I become more and more pissed when I hear the bells/sparkle sounds on the track. If you’re more interested in what the hell I’m talking about because I couldn’t think of an appropriate term for it, an example of it happens in minute 2:52-2:57 of the song.
"8" is annoying too. It feels like a repetitive sex-centered bop that was just created as a filler for the album.
"When He’s Not There", featuring Lucky Daye, is essentially saying, "cheat and don’t tell anyone. Oh, and let’s make it sexy." "Form of You" was a great idea and to have features like Destin Conrad and CHILDOFNINES were genius, but even while I did enjoy the softness and beauty the song curated, I still didn’t agree with having Destin Conrad’s voice for just an outro; I think he needed more of a presence here.
Destin Conrad and Kehlani, who have now collaborated on multiple projects.
I know all of this just sounds like I’m being a hater; while I’m not the biggest fan of Kehlani, I can say she can make some amazing music, but it feels like she limits herself.
Maybe her life events and experiences are what to blame in her music, as with any artist, but it makes sense. I was a big fan of "It Was Good Until it Wasn't" and I actually went to listen to "While We Wait 2" because I loved "While We Wait". With songs like "Can I", "Grieving" featuring James Blake, "Feels", "RPG" feat-ing 6lack and more, I just couldn’t believe she didn’t put that same effort into this second installment of While We Wait.
You can unclench your hand now as I am done speaking on the subject.
Will people continue to romanticize this toxic ideology in R&B? As time goes, let’s see what becomes more popularized or created as we see the changes in genres of music.
Rate 5.6/10
Comments