Jhene Akio’s Best album so far - ‘Sail Out’

By CheNiyah S.

At Airport, the students walk around the halls with their beats and airpods constantly, always blasting their favorite albums directly into their ears. Even though there's lots of students, I can guarantee that  many of them are listening to Jhene Aiko's album Sail Out. Even though Jhenes' album was released in 2013, lots of people still listen to it, and I’m here to remind Eyrie readers why it remains a classic over ten years later.  

Jhene Aiko Efuru Chilombo, known as Jhene Aiko, is an American R&B singer-songwriter and rapper from Los Angeles, California. Jhene started her career in 2002 with the song “My Name is Jhene” released on March 12, 2002, and her star has been ascending ever since

I personally think that this album is very good because it is very interesting and the album is more appealing than others. Not only is the album good, it also tells a story. The story it tells is an melodic ode to romance and self-sufficiency. 

One reason why I think this album is good is because the songs make you  feel like a wild but steady ride through the different stages of a toxic and intoxicating relationship. The album is almost serving as a cautionary tale to anyone listening. 

Another praiseworthy trait of the album is how much work Aiko herself put into it while still leaving room for guest artists.  Most of the album was written by Aiko herself.  The album features guest appearances from several rappers, such as Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Childish Gambino and Vince Staples, but they compliment her singing not take away from it.  For example, Sail Out opens with “The Vapors” featuring Vince Staples, a track discussing love almost from the perspective of it being an addictive drug, allowing Aiko to share her feelings with Staples almost in a therapeutic way. 

A third reason why the album is so good is because It's all so effortlessly addictive, and the fact that Jhene has a sultry, subtle vocal style means that she is very easy to listen to. Over smooth, electronic beats, with undertones of West Coast bass, Aiko delivered high-pitched, soft-tinged vocals. It showcased her songwriting and singing very well which I enjoyed. 

Let’s hear what students have to say about this album. 

Trinity W.  said, “She’s put out only a single full-length, the 2011 mixtape Sailing Souls, which nonetheless featured contributions from Kendrick, Drake, Miguel and Kanye West. Sail Out is Aiko’s first release with the world watching.

Keiria J. said this about the title: "‘To be a 'sail out' is to be a free spirit; with no price tag on your soul. To have integrity, to be motivated and driven by love, not money. “

As for what the critics had to say about this album, Jordan Sargent from Pitchfork writes, “It is even easier to see how the recent adoration for these singers—not just from British boys clicking through Logic, but also from stars like Drake (who has an Aaliyah tattoo) and Chris Brown—may have provided a perfect incubator for an artist like Aiko.” 

Our second critic had to say about this album, Will Hermes from Rolling Stones writes, "'Ain't nobody here, baby, let's get wasted/We should just get naked,' purrs 25-year-old Jhené Aiko on 'Bed Peace,' her winning hip-hop-soul tribute (with Childish Gambino) to John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1969 anti-war 'bed-ins.' Of course, by the time the singer-rapper adds, 'Go 'head, tell your baby mama you gon' be with me tonight,' the 'peace' business has gotten a little complicated. It's the high point of an EP showcasing the adorable stoner flow that got the best line on Drake's last LP ('I love me enough for the both of us,' on 'From Time'), and it proves Aiko is more than a hook singer. If her writing is still a work in progress, it's progress that's worth watching.”

Now that you know the importance of this album, how about you go listen to it on your local streaming apps like Amazon music, Spotify, and Apple music. If you are interested in listening to Jhene Akio here's more artist  you should listen to: Kehlani, Jeremih, Bryson Tiller, The-Dream, Trey Songz and last but not least Aaliyah.