Following the mainstream breakthrough of “Boo’d Up” and the warm reception of both critics and fans for her eponymous debut album, Ella Mai has come a long way. The Grammy-winning songstress has once more graced the contemporary R&B scene with new ballads in the shape of her long-awaited second studio album, Heart On My Sleeve. Boasting only three guests, the fifteen-song collection is aptly named as the English singer-songwriter extrudes herself into the record with some of her most vivid songwriting and mature vocal performances to date.
The album launches with the tentative steps of a new relationship in the form of “Trying”. “Had a couple of flings, didn’t mean a thing, cause I never was the type to really care,” Ella sings (for her new flame, maybe) in the opening song. However, she goes on to express encouragement (“And I know I make it harder, but I see you trying / when I look into your eyes, I just can’t deny it”). Here she portrays the common dilemma young couples face of wanting to try but being too wary or perhaps even jaded by failed romances to give it a shot.
A good foot to start an honest album with; I’d like to think that’s how good relationships begin, too. After all, that’s what the album becomes: a relationship with the singer’s heart where the overarching theme is nakedness and fear of it. Nakedness is the exposure, feeling open and vulnerable—a heart exposed to the elements.
“Break My Heart”, “DFMU”, and “Pieces” see the British singer explore the nakedness of wearing her heart on her sleeve by voicing the fears of relinquishing all control and the possible aftermath of a bitter breakup. Subordinate themes range from expectation and disappointment (as heard on the trap-influenced “DFMU”) to fears of heartbreak while still helplessly in love, as seen in “Break My Heart” (“If I had a choice who could break my heart, baby, it would be you”).
Relationship toxicity is a noticeable theme of the album, spoken about even by guest rappers Latto and Roddy Ricch. Big Latto (on “Didn’t Say”) and Roddy (on “How”) both touched on the difficulty of letting go and forgetting, both of them referencing “soul ties” in their respective verses. In “How”, Ella sings: “I got too attached, now I’m workin’ on my health”, mirroring the sentiments of her features.
By this time, Ella Mai has shown development, from being the hesitant lover to being a hopeless gone girl. However, one thing remains constant: her fear of her exposed heart getting hurt. Will she find the love she deserves? Will she get hurt? It’s the perfect kind of suspense that keeps the album going.
It comes as no surprise that the second portion of the album takes on another tone.
The transition (starting with “Power of a Woman” and ending with “Sink or Swim”) is sultry and hedonistic. In a way, the theme of nakedness shifts from abstract to physical. As a theme, nakedness shifts from it being abstract to being physical.
Ella flashes her wild side, conjuring imagery of burning lust, feminine sexuality, physical stimulation, and sex. Perhaps the Lucky Daye-assisted “A Mess” is the peak of this album’s sudden change of direction. In the song, the singers engage in some sort of lyrical sex as they trade compliments on each other (“Oh, baby, you’re the best (Oh, no, baby, you’re the best)”). Whatever mess it actually is, it’s a beautiful one; it stands out among highlights like “Break My Heart” and “DFMU” in upholding the album’s thematic scope.
From “Trying” to “Fading Out”, Ella displays the kaleidoscopic emotions, fears, and desires that one feels walking into new love while still wounded by a destructive one. While Ella’s past efforts have been juvenile and endearing, Heart On My Sleeve’s musicianship and approach are grown and serious. It is chiaroscuro transformed into music, showing the growth of once feeling fear to being free and in love enough to be your truest and naked self without any shame or reservation. A quality sophomore release.
Watch “DFMU” here:
