Diandra Reviews It All

At 22 tracks, Jhené Aiko’s Trip is a psychedelic nose-dive into the much needed but much procrastinated desire to grieve. At least most of us have suffered the gaping pain of losing someone we love. I cannot even say that any loss is particularly more tragic than the other because the whole point of loss is that it is tragic in essence. Yet, in dedication to her brother, Miyagi Hasani Ayo Chilombo, who died of cancer, I felt a particular tug of heart for Jhene’s loss having lost my uncle/ only father figure to the same, wicked disease. Thus, going into Trip, I was moved and ready to see what worlds Aiko worlds take me to and what layers of my soul I would discover.
Jhené Aiko – While We’re Young

Aiko is known for her spiritual intellectualism. She is not here to give commentary on the current times as much as on eternity. Hence, Trip’s excellence is that it is Aiko completely embracing the mysticism that has slowly built around her artistry/ music. She approaches songs like, “LSD”, “Overstimulated”. and “Mystic Journey” like a shaman tussling between what thought to repeat: the negative or the positive. If there is one thing that death spurs in the mind, it is the hardest struggle to think positive. After all, you have confronted mortality head on and lost. There is no more or less to be gained from your loved one’s presence beyond how you manifest your own in memory to them. Hence, from “Oblivion” to “When We Love”, Jhené’s journey goes from a sincere desire to be nothing into one of trying to become apart of everything again, which is all to real to bereavement. We go from desiring to be nothing and believing evil is other people, “Jukai” or “Nobody”, to celebrating “When We’re Young” and writing love songs to our loved ones that remain to give us hope and strength, “Frequency” and “Sing To Me”. That back and forth keeps Trip a ride worth going on, especially because Aiko’s soft, lulling vocals sound so gorgeously enveloped by the mounting trap, R&B, soul, and overall psychedelic arrangements.
Trip (The Movie)

Of course, there are tracks like “Moments feat. Big Sean” and “ Never Call Me feat Kurupt” that feel ready-made for radio, but Trip shines when Aiko goes straight into the weirdness and ambiguity of living fully in a world that you are only on temporarily. Such beautiful eccentricity makes this entire album a worthy listen and buy. From “Trip” to “Sativa”, it is clear that Aiko has experienced the literal and figurative highs and lows of life, but, unlike most of us, she is better at embracing them. Keep doing your self-work and self-love Jhené! It is working according to this masterful and wise album, which you can buy Here.
Jhené Aiko – Hello Ego (Lyric Video) ft. Chris Brown