Most will agree that Jhené Aiko speaks volumes for women when it comes to expressing ourselves, and how we truly feel about the touchy topics. Her latest album digs deep into the stages that many women deal with in their lifetime: heartbreak, soul searching, embracing their sexuality and simply having fun. Aiko’s third studio album Chilombo, released on March 6, is an ode to women healing during these different phases in our lives, to be happy with who we truly are. To help the healing process, Chilombo incorporates sound bowls for healing chakras in the body, such as the crown chakra (trusting the universe and time), solar plexus (personal power), the heart chakra and more. The album begins with Jhené laying out the development of the album in “Lotus (Intro)," which she tells the story of a heartbroken woman going back to her roots on the Hawaii island to become whole again. It then transitions to heartbreak songs such as, “Triggered (Freestyle)” and “None Of Your Concern,” featuring Aiko’s boyfriend and rapper, Big Sean, which were released as singles before the album dropped. The songs hit hard while she speaks on dealing with history and old connections with someone. It also makes note that being strong enough to get through the situation can begin the process of moving on.
The next phase Chilombo touches on is making a comeback with songs like, “Speak” and “Back on B.S.” featuring H.E.R., which has become an anthem for females. The songs give off a carefree vibe and being “back up on my bullshit.” It’s that final separation of knowing the negativity is done.
When “Pu$$y Fairy (OTW)” and “Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.),” featuring Miguel and Future is reached, it embraces being comfortable with sexuality. These songs have female empowerment written all over them, and women are here for it! They express that a female can be confident with what she brings to the bedroom, and how she wants to go about things, whether that’s a one-night stand or more than that. “Pu$$y Fairy (OTW)” emphasizes the sacral chakra that concentrates on your sexual balance. “Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.)” on the other hand, samples Miguel’s verse in Aiko’s original song, “Hoe” from her Sailing Souls EP featuring Gucci Mane.
In track eight, “One Way,” featuring TDE’s Ab-Soul, Jhené focuses on not getting anywhere by “going the wrong way on a one-way street,” which can mean being on a path in life that isn’t meant for you. Ab-Soul also drops a line in his verse that reflects her Souled Out EP track they collaborated on, “WTH" (Way Too High). He raps, “I may be way too high/ the sky is in my way.”
After feeling like things are falling apart again, “Define Me (interlude),” “Surrender,” featuring her father Dr. Chill, and “Tryna Smoke” are the healing process including the crown chakra that touches on surrendering to the universe. The sound bowls are more noticeable in the short, yet sweet track, “Define Me” as the Slauson native sings about not allowing challenges to define her. Instead, she chooses to rise from it following upon “Surrender,” where she knows what she brings to the table with her creativity, and trusts timing.
“I'm a boss bitch, how you don't fuck with me,” Aiko sings in a melodic flow. “Know what it is, you know these bitches just can't fuck with me/ I write all my shit, you know I'm all about my publishing.” She follows it up with freeing it all on “Tryna Smoke,” as she sings about floating away from the world, which can be chaotic sometimes. She feels that while being medicated, things are more clear and peaceful.
Aiko sings, “I know life's a bitch, but she could at least give me head/ Sometimes, I mean, is that too much to ask?/ That's why lately I've been smokin' on gas.” In tracks 12 and 13, the Slauson native is at a point where she’s fighting her emotional breakdowns that comes natural in life. On "Born Tired," she feels tired of being strong, and just wants to give up, but motivation from looking back on where she started helps her get through the rough moment. “LOVE,” flows in after to express Jhené showing self-love, and pushing through anything by using heart and having God. “10k Hours,” featuring Grammy-Nominated rapper Nas, and “Summer 2020 (interlude)” holds a similar meaning of emotions, instead these are about missing someone close. It allows her to feel appreciative of someone truly important to her. Nas raps about finding a soulmate being once-in-a-lifetime, as Jhene closes it out with a sweet message. The Slauson native sings, “You could search your whole life tryna find/ A love as good as the time we had, we had/ Every person that comes in your life/ Here for a limited time/ So be fair, be there.” The phase that follows that, is connecting back with a lover, or soulmate, and recognizing that the hardships and stages make both partners who they are, and what they mean to each other. In “Mourning Doves,” it’s becoming intimate again and trying to fix things. It also includes healing solar plexus, which is personal power. “Pray For You,” is the track after that, which is heartfelt, in a sense that she will continue to pray for someone she loves and cares about, even when they're not on good terms. The quick switch upstage on “Lightning & Thunder,” featuring Grammy-winner John Legend, is the realization that both are missing each other and thinking about one another, and know they should be together. It also flows into the 19th track, “Magic Hour,” which focuses on the heart chakra, expresses that it’s not meant to be “perfect” as long as it’s worth it.
“Ready for a miracle, I'll/ Chill until the sun sets/ Waiting for the magic hour/ It ain't perfect, but everything's beautiful here,” Aiko expresses. To close it all out, the Slauson native brings out a celebration in “Party for Me,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign, as she sings about how she wants everyone to honor her when she’s gone. Jhené gives us a fun beat with a meaningful message of appreciating memories collectively by laughing, dancing and being at peace with a passing. Aiko also pays respects to her neighborhood with a tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle, who was from Crenshaw and Slauson as well, in one of the verses, as she perfectly raps with a hard, melodic flow, like Nip used to.
“Rose gold decorations, do it for your girl in commemoration,” Jhené raps. “Look, I'ma need y'all dancin'/ And when you cryin', don't stop cryin' 'til you laughin'/ Yeah, I'ma need a bonfire on the beach/ I'ma need everybody there to make a speech/ Shut down the block and have a party in the streets/ And keep partyin' for weeks.”
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