Review: Kehlani’s latest album sees the artist at her most vulnerable
Crafted with a tight focus and interesting variety in its tracks, Kehlani’s sophomore album, “It Was Good Until It Wasn’t”, more than readily delivers an emotionally resonant body of work.
Album cover for “It Was Good Until It Wasn’t”, Kehlani’s second studio album (Released on May 8th, 2020; Atlantic Records)
Spanning over fifteen tracks (two of which are presented in the form of short skits), Kehlani’s latest entry to her discography, sees a more centered and grounded collection of music compared to the artist’s past album and mixtapes. Yet, its runtime of 39 minutes never feels too short changed or overstays its welcome, but instead, effectively tells a fully realized arc of overcoming toxic relationships over the course of the album.
While dedicated fans who have followed her story since her appearance on America’s Got Talent, may be all too familiar with the struggles she’s been through, new listeners who may have been introduced to her music for the first time can easily pick up the weight of the heartache she’s experienced through her expressiveness within each track. Kehlani’s vocal range has always been impressive with her runs and melodic choices are often inspired by her 90’s predecessors, but, in the case of “It Was Good", this is on full display as each new song readily builds off the other, to fully form her thesis by the end of the album.
Though its opening set of tracks lay down the foundation through rather moody and slow tempos, the rest of its offering soon begins to pick up the pace with its consistently beautiful production shortly afterward. Many songs, such as “Water” are riddled with gorgeous piano segments, and adds dimensional layers to Kehlani’s lyrics. Yet, “It Was Good” occasionally runs into similar issues with her contemporaries in the genre, in which several tracks tend to blend into a sort of sameness, over time. However, her melodic choices are smart, and full of character, that the album manages to remain dynamic enough to distinguish each song apart. Several of the features on the album work wonderfully in tandem to its core message, with Jhené Aiko, in particular, as she harmonizes gently in “Change Your Life”, and compliments Kehlani’s vocals rather than superseding her.
Lyrically, the writing is at its most honest, and at Kehlani’s most vulnerable, as she navigates the complexities of her interpersonal relationships. Acknowledging the toxicity in a relationship, and how it ultimately changes one another is one thing, but the Oakland artist steps it up by recognizing how difficult it can be to break apart from this, and, like old habits, familiar relationships are just more comfortable to slip back into. However, by the time the album wraps itself up with a powerful self-actualization in which she comes to terms with her past, she takes this newfound self-awareness, and ponders how this may effectively play into her
future.
While “It Was Good Until It Wasn’t” is well structured, its replay value is fairly moderate, with only a handful of standout tracks that warrant repeat listening. Which is fine, since all good relationships are perhaps better left as it was, rather than revisiting them over and over again. On the other hand, the album remains to be Kehlani’s most mature work to date in her career, all culminating into its powerful finale in which she has embraced her own will and determination for her peace and understanding.
Score: 8/10
Favorite Track: Change Your Life (feat. Jhené Aiko)
Contributed by Christian Ang
Christian Ang is a contributor for Finessed Media, and reviews music. Also possibly a nerd.
Instagram: @chrizchanang