Music Review: Aquarius

Anyone who has frequented Shooters in the past couple months is probably no stranger to “2 On,” Tinashé’s lead single from her debut album, Aquarius. Thankfully, though, that is the only song from this album that you will hear in your favorite nightclub. Throughout most of Aquarius, Tinashé stays true to her alternative R&B roots as she sings and harmonizes over the sublime accompaniment from a variety of producers, including herself, DJ Mustard and Detail.

Based off of her 2013 mix tape, Blackwater, Aquarius is pretty much what you would expect, an album with the same R&B sincerity and lyricism but with more abstract production. The change can be summed up by noticing how it seems like, for every song on Blackwater featuring guitar, there is a song on Aquarius featuring backwards guitar. Truly, though, the high synths, piano, and processed vocals combine with the low sub bass and drum kits to give Tinashé plenty of room. She stays usually midrange, occasionally rising so her voice melts into the dark, trip hop stratosphere.

Lyrically the album is typical but engaging. “Pretend” weaves the most interesting story as Tinashé sings about wishing she could meet an ex for the first time again. Otherwise, lyrics range from being cool enough to make a thug cry to pondering how much love she can make in one night. Although the lyrics’ subject matter is typical of other alternative R&B artists, Tinashé's delivery and phrasing makes her songs sound nothing less than genuine.

There are also three rappers featured on the album. Although some of them might be more well known Tinashé, she is not overshadowed by them at all. The rappers, including ScHoolboy Q and A$AP Rocky, phrase their verses around Tinashé's music. The one exception is Future, who raps on “How Many Times.” He comes in sounding completely ridiculous with a very staccato, over-the-top delivery. Tinashé's artistic presence is strong enough to make him sound completely out of place. The other two features work, though, they feel more like a break from Tinashé's singing than introduction of a new element.

Astrology predicts those born under the sign of Aquarius to be inventive, independent and original. Tinashé’s debut album was nothing less. Throughout it, she showcases her vocal abilities while retaining an engaging lyrical flow. She even brings on some pretty big rap names while still keeping the songs as her own. The most interesting component of the album, though, is probably how well the production complements her vocals. Aquarius is Tinashé's strongest album yet and, hopefully, will inspire mainstream R&B to be similarly inventive, independent and original.