review: aminé — good for you
second album of the month, and we’re switching genres a bit here. i’ve had this album saved on my spotify for a few months now but had never gotten around to listening to it. spoiler alert: i’m glad i finally did because it’s a really good record. i had fun while listening to it. it was upbeat and enjoyable and lyrically had some really impressive moments. let’s get into it.
- veggies: i like this so far! that drop really got me goooood, i felt that in my bones. this kinda gave me zayn vibes in a really positive way.
- yellow: “white girls love me like my first names coachella” is a fantastic lyric. i’m a really big fan of this as well. this could potentially make top 3!
- caroline: this is another great song. when he goes “uhhh, *pause* killa” it gets me hype every time.
- hero: i’m a little torn on this one. my initial listen i was kinda alternating between liking it and not being fussed. couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was exactly that wasn’t hitting right but also, if this is the worst song on the album and it’s still a bop then i’m still very much into it.
- spice girl: this almost made top 3 as well. this is hella catchy, the lyricism is great and the background beat is really fun.
- stfu: oh no, another contender for top 3. it’s hard to figure out what songs are my favourites coz they’re all so damn good. it’s like he’s his own feature in this song. really, really good.
- wedding crashers: another very fun, catchy tune. decent offset feature too. it’s cute.
- sundays: this is top 5. it doesn’t quiiiite make top 3 but it’s very bloody good. this is such a good, chill vibe and the lyrics are hella relatable. fuck a monday for real.
- turf: this is top 3. this is great. lyrics are great, melody is great and then we get to the drop when he starts rapping a bit quicker and that hit’s just right. i’m not going to lie tho, it’s a bit jarring to go from talking about fingering the bootyhole to the next sung lyric being “slip and slide.” ain’t nobody wanting a slip and slide bootyhole. he lost me a little bit towards the middle of the song, but the ending won me back over — y’all know i love a good riffer. the ending of this song is greattttt.
- blinds: the production value of this song seems higher for some reason? it feels a little out of place with the other songs in terms of the way it’s produced but i don’t have the music theory/production knowledge to put my finger on why that is… regardless, i really enjoyed this one as well.
- dakota: when i first listened to this, i was halfway through before realising that the previous song had finished. i didn’t even notice the transition. i’m always going to be a fan if you throw in a lilo & stitch reference. this is a very real contender for top 3 as well.
- slide: the start of this gives me very 2014/2015 vibes. i wasn’t feeling this one. it’s not a bad song, it’s just… eh. it also sounds like he’s saying cycle instead of slide it.
- money: nice transition from the previous song. these lyrics are a mood. he does some funky things with his flow which although i appreciate his intention, it hurt my brain a lil bit.
- beach boy: is the start of this song a sample?? this sounds so familiar. this one is very nostalgic somehow. i legit looked at the track listing to see if this was the closing track coz it gives big closing track energy.
- heebiejeebies — bonus: fuck yes! give me kehlani! i’m into this in a big way. why was this only a bonus track? the internet told me this was a single. i am confused. either way, i’m glad they put this on the album. i enjoyed it greatly.
overall thoughts
you guys! this is such a bright, fun album. i genuinely had fun listening to every song. is he the best vocalist? not particularly, but he’s a good rapper and this is a great debut album. it’s almost jarring how positive this album feels compared to his contemporaries. kinda gave me frank ocean if he was happy vibes. i want to blast this album on a car ride with the roof down in summer. it was consistently enjoyable and i’ll definitely be checking out some of his more recent stuff in the near future. i feel like if i listened to this in a bad mood it could be overly cheesy and a bit jarring, but it’s a very charismatic record. i’m a fan.
top 3: turf, stfu, yellow or dakota (sorry, i couldn’t decide)
least fave: slide i think
do i recommend it: for sure! put it on, feel good, bop around. you deserve it.
