Recent discussions on whether R&B has the potential to return to its glory days (the 1990s and 2000s) have polarised opinions. Music mogul Diddy claimed in an Instagram live, with R&B singer-songwriter Summer Walker, that “R&B is dead” (the irony of this statement coming from him is unignorable), which again reignited the debate. The phrase “R&B is dead” has become a recurring feature in conversations over the years among music lovers and artists alike, with many claiming the rise of alternative and trapsoul sub-genres has led to the decline of the quality of R&B music in the mainstream. However, I would like to point out that while an artist like Ari Lennox still exists, R&B will not die. And exhibit A is her new album, Age/Sex/Location (A/S/L), the highly anticipated follow-up to her solid debut, Shea Butter Baby (SBB).
The album hooked me on the first spin. A/S/L is SBB‘s grown, confident and more experienced sister; it exhibits an undeniably elevated vibe that accents Lennox’s maturity over the past three years.
Songs like “Pressure” and the Summer Walker-assisted “Queen Space” are examples of how Lennox’s confidence has skyrocketed. Although her voice and Walker’s are vastly different, their blend is immaculate on the latter. Her voice, while distinct, allows the “Girls Need Love” hitmaker to shine through just as much.
Lennox’s style tends to be an amalgamation of every genre that stems from the blues, so you’ll find that neo-soul vibe, traditional R&B melodies, and jazz instruments. “Mean Mug” is a paragon of how this cocktail creates an inspired work that still sounds fresh.
She follows through with the rich neo-soul sound we love her for in “POF”, reminiscent of Jill Scott’s earlier music. There are overarching themes of dating in the digital age as well as that of not settling for thirsty dudes who lack substance, which she introduces in this song. She addresses catfishes by calling out dudes that never take pictures without a hat on (hatfishes).
Lennox’s ability to articulate the millennial dating experience in a matter-of-fact and no-frills manner is one of her fortes. A song like “Hoodie” borrows from the age-old practice of girls taking their boyfriend’s hoodies to keep and flips the trope to fit her desire to get into her crush’s hoodie. “Boy Bye”, featuring Lucky Daye, is a relatable depiction of heterosexual interactions. Daye’s invaluable contribution helps set the scene of a young man trying to get his mack on and failing dismally but not before the pair spar with each other with flirtatious jokes and disses. He reminded me of a young D’Angelo with his witty wordplay, smooth vocals, and staccato delivery. Ari plays the role of the sceptic all the while. She claims to see through his cheesy pick-up lines, doesn’t fall for them, and isn’t afraid to let him know she’s not interested in something insincere or surface-level.
Ari’s humour shines through in this project, like on SBB. She’s known for her hilarious sessions on Instagram live, which have spawned iconic soundbites she expertly utilised on SBB. “A/S/L (Interlude)” takes that route where she shares a story about how she’d catfish people on chat sites in her younger years. She pitches her voice higher and narrates the tale along with a saxophone in the background. This ties the two albums together seamlessly while keeping the new project fresh.
Of course, she couldn’t resist a good food reference which again creates an undeniable link between her projects. For example, the ridiculously funny outro to “BMO” from SBB, where she infamously checks on her garbanzo beans and a line from the second lead single from A/S/L, “Hoodie”, where she tells her guy to ‘Spread it like some queso.’ The way she infuses humour into her music is an ingenious way of making it that much more of an experience; it leaves a lasting impression and creates cultural references that live on even after the song ends.
“Stop By”, “Outside”, and “Leak It” are that trio of songs you add to that playlist you listen to when getting ready for a night out or a sexy appointment. The Chlöe-assisted “Leak It” heavily leans into “On It”, which is Ari’s collab with Jazmine Sullivan. Its sensuality lies in the feminine vulgarity of its title; this is the best I’ve heard of Chlöe in a while, and I hope she taps into this pocket more often. There’s no denying she’s Destiny’s Niece because those background vocals and stacks are pristine and add dimension to the drum-heavy song. Definitely a late-night addition.
