Souled Out
| Jhene Aiko
Souled Out
Souled Out is the debut studio album by American singer Jhené Aiko. It was released on September 9, 2014, by ArtClub International, ARTium Recordings, and Def Jam Recordings. After leaving Epic Records in 2003, Aiko took a hiatus from her music career and returned in 2011, with the release of her debut mixtape Sailing Soul(s). After raising her profile with the mixtape, Aiko met with record producer No I.D., and subsequently secured a recording contract with his newly found record label imprint, ARTium. Following her record deal, Aiko immediately began working on the album; during the recording process, Aiko released her debut EP Sail Out (2013), to bridge the gap between her mixtape and the album. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
Hers has been an arduous road, but with Souled Out, Jhené Aiko has begun to knead adversity into sustenance.
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Billboard
There are no vocal aerobics; everything's soft and gentle. But her message still comes across urgent, relatable and full of angst.
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Time
With calm assurances and honey-soaked melodies, Souled Out flows from start to finish like a modern meditative chant.
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The Guardian
a concept album that spans neo-soul, dark alt-pop and a few licks of psychedelia.
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HNHH
dynamic and diverse collection of songs.
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Ppcorn
Aiko has outdone herself with this very personal, heart-on-her-sleeve album, letting a listener into her corner of the world for an hour or so. The ironic part about it all is that, although her songs are so narrative to her life and the situations she’s experienced, it’s not hard to feel like it’s happened to you before.
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News24
“Souled Out” is sure to spark emotion; overall Jhene’s work speaks for itself and the whole package is in its own class. A very well done debut from its production to its vocals “Souled Out” is sure to be sold out.
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Gigslutz
It seems that Aiko has really tuned into her strengths as a singer, such as perseverance, and has personalised Souled Out to agree with them. The songs give off a strong message to the listener, for example “It’s cool” describes the chase of a faraway love interest, whilst the song “Wading” is overflowing with unreciprocated romances, emotions and contains forsaken, echoing vocals.
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DJ Booth
I know Jhené and I aren't actually dating, but considering the thematic content of the album, I couldn't help but treat Souled Out as a step in our relationship.
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Music Times
I think the album was well produced and well written. To me it didn't need to be captivating to be good. I liked the feel of it for the right moment. Will I go running to my friends to spread the news of this album? Probably not. But next time I'm chillin' in the park, I'll return to Souled Out, I'm sure.
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Write the World
Jhene has multiple different styles and she doesn't just need to sing in one to be good. A strong, fierce tone or a timid, airy tone. Either one Jhene can work it. She is her own artist, no one can compare. In my eyes, Jhene can sing any genre and kill it.
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HTF Magazine
‘Souled Out‘ sees Aiko create the album she wanted, free from interference and retaining full creative control, ‘Souled Out’ is a rare accomplishment and must be heard.
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Frontline
The entire album is very unique with its meaningful lyrics and psychedelic, R&B, and hip hop tones and deserves much attention.
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The 97
Souled Out is a rather strong offering and a valuable collection of songs for those listeners who are attracted by this new wave of R&B music that’s distanced itself from traditional sounds and has attempted to bring new life to a genre that’s been accused of not having much more to offer lately.
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Jungle of Sounds
Overall Jhene Aiko has fully delivered on this project, covering a variety of topics that couples may go through, heartbreaks, personal topics that may hit home and some that may leave you just happy giving you that warm feeling inside.
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Spotlight Report
A solid debut album that has something for everyone and it’s definitely worth a listen.
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HipHop DX
On this album, a story finally begins in earnest for the Hip Hop styled chanteuse weaving her magic onto melodic mattresses resting on boom-bap box springs with spellbinding results.
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Surviving the Golden Age
From start to finish, Souled Out flows magnificently like one liquid entity. Continuing with the sailing theme, it is a voyage consisting of calm waves, destroying winds and ocean sized depths.
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Exclaim
Souled Out is an intriguing record from an intriguing artist who has tapped into the zeitgeist and delivered something that is both reflective and forward-looking.
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AOTY
Issa vibe.
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Clash
Jhené Aiko’s debut album is a slow-burning R&B record that grows with the listener over time.
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Rated RnB
Souled Out” is cohesive and its tracks blend while taking listeners on a cosmic journey. The sound of the album is at times acute, airy and it leaves you feeling like you’re in an emotional deep-sea. Aiko has to come up for air though and command a little more of a presence on her own tracks or else she will sink.
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Stash Everything
Jhené’s desires are felt in the sweetest of voices that strongly resonates on this contemporary R&B record.
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XXL
Jhené Aiko Is A Breath Of Fresh Air On ‘Souled Out’.
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The Skyline View
I could honestly go on and on about the tracks in the album, but that wont give you a chance to go and listen to it. Overall I would give this album two big thumbs up.
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Bennett Knows
Jhene’s Souled Out is just as majestic, colorful and heartfelt as it’s artwork. I believe that unlike many artists, Jhene’s debut was original and true! Souled Out is definitely an album for the true fan!
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Mind Equals Blown
Don’t skip any tracks – although this is very well put together, so I doubt you would want to. It’s theater and performance art into an artist who has made it and has the scars to prove it.
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The AU Review
The album’s lyrical catharsis creates a sense of both beginning and ending Aiko’s career – a debut that brings closure to a period in the artist’s life and opens up endless possibilities for her musical direction.
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Artist Direct
You’re going to want to take this trip as many times as possible. This declares that she’s here forever as one of music’s most important voices bringing it one of 2014’s best albums.
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WPGM
Once you enter Jhené’s hazy world, you find yourself in a place that will leave you thinking into a deeper space, questioning and having a yearning for more.
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All Music
On Souled Out, the singer and songwriter's form of contemporary R&B continues to blur the line between seductive and sleepy, her voice among the lowest wattage in commercial music history.
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Campus Times
“Souled Out” was an eagerly anticipated release because of Aiko’s potential, and the LP delivers on most cylinders, but misfires on the variability of feelings one expects from an R&B record.
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The Silhouette
In the end, Souled Out isn’t perfect. The songs at times blend together, lacking distinction, but Aiko’s ability to translate her emotions so effectively into her music makes it worth the price of admission.
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The Early Registration
Souled Out further confirms Jhené’s talents which she gave us a preview to with her debut EP. Her smooth vocals, soft voice, laid on top of well produced R&B and hip-hop blends makes for a unique experience and shows the gray area between the various genres.
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Massachusetts Daily Collegian
As the music industry maintains a never-ending sense of chaos, Aiko’s album is a safe haven. She is one of the few artists that continue to hold her own, both musically and spiritually—a trait that is evident on “Souled Out.”
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The Stixxclusive Blog
R&B may be on life support currently, but Jhene’s album has given it some air in its lungs to keep it going. Fuel the soul.
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Parle Mag
While many critics would argue that all of Aiko’s songs sound alike, there are unique differences to each vibe that she imparts on Souled Out, making it a step above the Sail Out EP.
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Theory of a Dad, Man
For times like this, where quiet and dulcet tones are the order of the day; where we are setting the tone for a nightly ritual, a thing I spend my entire day looking forward to; an album like Souled Out is perfect.
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Press Play OK
The problem with Aiko is that she feels a bit watered down now, and a little bit bereft of surprises. It’s what leaves us cold on tracks like Spotless Mind and It’s Cool – we’ve heard those beats before, we’ve experienced that cadence of melody.
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The Lantern
“Souled Out” is an emotional journey delivered in a way that is almost emotionless and detached, with Aiko narrating her own life and delivering the bigger picture to her listeners. The atmosphere is ideal for a relaxed coffee shop, and the album is a great introduction to her distinctive vocals.
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Moor Park Reporter
In a world full pop music that sounds seemingly the same, Jhené has found her individuality and creativity as an urban solo artist.
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Tampa Bay Times
Souled Out is a refreshing collection of semi-minimal R&B songs about relationships and life. Its spacey sound is a definite calm in the storm of today's trend of loud, abrasive R&B music.
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The Dolphin
Jhene Aiko may be a little short in terms of number one hits on this album but the passion comes in a full dosage.
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Nappyafro
This is a great album, and I’ll actually being spending my money to buy a physical copy.
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Isocialite Media
Her album should be prescribed to insomniacs. If ever there was a time that you could not sleep, Jhene the Tranquilizer, could get you there. It took everything in me to write this review because I literally could not stay awake long enough to listen to the entire album.
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The Gizzle Review
Aiko is at her best on these slinky, soulful tracks.
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The Oswegonian
Aiko has a very soft and high voice that she carries beautifully throughout all the pieces on this album.
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The Brand Group
I do believe Jhene offers something different to the new wave of R&B, whether its her voice or style we must agree she has made an impression on us.
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Cleveland
Jhene Aiko combines sultry vocals and top-notch production on 'Souled Out'.
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Black Grooves
Souled Out remains one of the top albums to be released in 2014, and is highly recommended for those who are fans of not only Aiko, but who love albums that are both sonically alluring, evocative in language, and avant-garde in their approach to both controversial themes and philosophical ideologies through the use of autobiographical narratives.
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The Cougar Chronicle
After listening to the album, you will be impressed. Aiko never lets you down ever since Sailing Soul(s), which hooks you into becoming a loyal fan. The album is nothing different from what Aiko released before, with the exception of a sense of growth.
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