Anyone that has the slightest idea of who I am knows that Kehlani is my favorite artist. I could talk for days about the many things I appreciate about her, but her music has always been very captivating to me.
A few months ago, I discussed how Kehlani was joining Justin Bieber on his Changes Tour.
Recently, Kehlani released her second studio album, It Was Good Until It Wasn't. It's actually hard to believe that this is only her second album! However, she has done quite a few mixtapes and been a part of countless features.
I was very surprised that Kehlani released this album as soon as she did (May 8, 2020). On a recent episode of Joe Budden's podcast, prior to the release of the album, Kehlani talked about how her initial plan was to release the album on her birthday (April 24), but it had gotten pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After hearing this, I assumed that the album would come out at least sometime after May had already passed, but nope.
Not only did Kehlani release the album, but she has since dropped three music videos within the past month and a half for some of the songs on the album: Everybody Business, F&MU, and Open (Passionate). Not to mention the music video she did for Toxic a little earlier than those. All filmed while quarantining. This girl just doesn't rest.
It Was Good Until It Wasn't is completely R&B, which I love. Kehlani doesn't hold back at all on this album. She's incredibly deep, sensual, and sexy. She says exactly how she feels and what she's thinking concerning her experiences. I love beats, but overall, I'm admirable over lyrically talented people, and that's exactly what Kehlani embodies. Her lyrics are what has always drawn me in.
I've listened to the entire album from beginning to end countless times, and I'd have to say, my top two favorite songs are Can I and Hate The Club. I didn't care for HTC as much in the beginning, but then I really listened to the lyrics and figured out what and who Kehlani was talking about, and that made the song much more interesting for me - that's not to say the jazz rounds in the background by Masego aren't to die for, because they definitely are. Can I was the song that immediately had my heart though. The chorus is an interpolation of Aaliyah's 2002 hit Come Over, and Kehlani does it nothing but justice.
Some other close faves are F&MU, Open (Passionate), Water, and Serial Lover. Toxic has slowly but surely been growing on me. Throughout the album, Kehlani has skits from her friends, for example: she has a skit titled Real Hot Girl Skit by Megan Thee Stallion, that's the opener for her song Water. Kehlani closes her album out with an outro by her friend that passed away on New Years of 2020, Lexii Alijai who was featured on her song Jealous back in 2015. I must say, Lexii absolutely bodied her verse at the end of It Was Good Until It Wasn't, and every time I listen to it, I get chills knowing that someone that talented is now gone.
With this album, there isn't necessarily anything I dislike. If I could change something, I would love for the two skits on the album to be full-length songs from Kehlani instead. However, their placement on the album almost feels necessary and plays into the overall cohesiveness of the album, so they don't bother me.
Justin Bieber's Changes Tour has been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which I'm not surprised about at all. My only hope is that Kehlani still goes on the tour, because that will give her a great opportunity to sing the songs off of this album live and maybe even recruit some new fans.
If you've had the pleasure of listening to Kehlani's album, what songs are your favorites? If you haven't listened yet, what are you waiting for? Get to it! ♡
xo babes, Variety Princess
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