FEATURE:
Second Spin
Kehlani - It Was Good Until It Wasn't
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FOR Pride Month…
I am spotlighting albums from L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ artists. I don’t normally highlight the sexuality of an artist for this feature. I think Kehlani is a fascinating artist and she has legends of fans. Today, Kehlani uses ‘she/they’ pronouns:
“Kehlani identifies as a lesbian, after having publicly identified as queer and pansexual in the past. She is polyamorous. In April 2018, she clarified her sexuality on Twitter, stating, "I'm queer. Not bi, not straight. I'm attracted to women, men, REALLY attracted to queer men, non-binary people, intersex people, trans people. lil poly pansexual". She has stated that it is important for her to include female pronouns in her music. In early 2021, Kehlani announced she identifies as a lesbian during a live stream.
In an April 2019 interview with Diva magazine, Kehlani stated she is "definitely on the non-binary scale" although preferred "she" pronouns. In December 2020, Kehlani updated her pronouns on Twitter to "she/they".
I think that Kehlani is one of the most important and inspiring modern-day L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ artists. She is tremendous talent whose second studio album, It Was Good Until It Wasn't, was one of 2020’s best. Even though it received positive reviews, there were some that were a bit more mixed. More rounded, defined and stronger (I think) than her 2017 debut album, SweetSexySavage, one does not hear too many songs from It Was Good Until It Wasn't played.
Although there are a lot of producers in the mix, I don’t think that works against Kehlani’s album. With some great collaborations (James Blake and Jhené Aiko are among the guests) and standout tracks, there is a lot to enjoy about It Was Good Until It Wasn't. Many critics named the album among their favourites of 2020. I only discovered Kehlani fairly recently. I am catching up and really enjoying It Was Good Until It Wasn't. It is such a confident and interesting album that has got me coming back. If you have not heard the album before, then go and check it out. Some were a little muted when it came to their assessment of It Was Good Until It Wasn't. Some noted that there were filler tracks, whereas others highlighted a lack of cohesiveness. I feel It Was Good Until It Wasn't is a really solid album where Kehlani shines and impresses. There were some very positive reviews. In their review, this is what AllMusic offered:
“A twisting route to Kehlani's second proper album reached the final stretch on Valentine's Day 2020 with YG's "Konclusions," the most personal in a string of intermediary tracks on which the singer was featured. It was a fairly typical (if highly detailed) question of commitment from the headliner, answered in the affirmative by Kehlani's hook. Only a few days later, Kehlani responded to the contrary with "Valentine's Day (Shameful)," a two-part ballad in which they accosted a cheating, unappreciative ex. While the song didn't appear on May arrival It Was Good Until It Wasn't, its considered verses, linked by a chorus that only probed deeper into Kehlani's soul -- without sugar-coated sentiments for mainstream appeal -- most certainly indicated the LP's direction.
It Was Good Until It Wasn't is similarly less pop than SweetSexySavage, their full-length debut, and considerably more intense than the commercial 2019 mixtape While We Wait. Rarely does it deviate from hot-blooded vexation and sensuality, inwardly and outwardly basking in and critiquing the intoxicating and ultimately poisonous aspects of relationships. Although there are some clumsy similes and metaphors, and a surplus of astrological references, its lyricism is undeniable, abundant in pithy rebukes and come-ons. And while the predominantly crawling tempos can have a tranquilizing effect, there's nuance to nearly every cut with high-level songwriting to match. Take the Boi-1da-led "Serial Lover," like a smoothed-out late-'90s meeting between Timbaland and Babyface, albeit with an explicit chorus and a boast -- "I got bodies I'm-a take to the grave/I got girls I wanna give my last name" -- that would have been instantly rejected by urban-format radio programmers decades ago. "Hate the Club," a cleverly tiptoeing, discreetly funky slow jam from Jahaan Sweet and Yussef Dayes, catches Kehlani on the reluctant prowl. They also link up with Jhené Aiko and previous collaborators Pop & Oak for the gently booming "Change Your Life," a rare moment of pure sweetness amid the surrounding expressions of anguish, lust, regret, and resignation”.
There is so much to enjoy and recommend regarding It Was Good Until It Wasn't. The more I play the album, the more some songs come to the surface (I am particularly fond of Change Your Life (ft. Jhené Aiko).
Before I finish up, there is one other review that is worth quoting. It is particularly detailed and illuminating. This is what CLASH had to say about It Was Good Until It Wasn't::
“The opening track on the album ‘Toxic’ offers a dark but not surprising ‘fuck you’ as she subliminally waves goodbye to a toxic ex. Singing in a deep but sweet melodic tone, she openly speaks her truth with giving a care in the world of what anybody thinks. “You know that dick always been problematic, somehow, I’m always caught in your dramatics” is easily the most memorable line in the song. The theme of ‘wanting something she doesn’t need’ continues to track two ‘Can I Live’ where she teams up with the king of quarantine himself Tory Lanez. Her straight-talking sexy tone prepares you Tory’s light lyric tenor vocals as the two feed off of each other’s emotions. “The shit’s so good it should be illegal, need round two I need a sequel”.
The stand out tracks for me are the ones where she speaks on freeing herself from situations of uncertainty by offering ways of transition to better oneself. Tracks ‘Can You Blame Me’ featuring Lucky Daye, and ‘Open (Passionate)’ provide a level for subduing and healing that demands your attention. In many ways, the album opens your mind into questioning what the proper etiquette required for coming out of a relationship that didn’t benefit you is. Her voice carries a kind of pain that is recognisable to many and songs like ‘Change Your Life’ featuring Jhene Aiko round up strong reasons as to why this album is her most solid project yet. “Baby, let me change your life, you wanna see (everything), that you can be anything you want (anything)”.
Her last-minute collaboration with Jhene Aiko is an easy reminder that the R&B girls can provide at all times. This collaboration comes as a sweet treat that we’ve all been waiting for, and it was truly worth the wait. While the album skits like ‘Real Hot Girl Skit’ featuring Megan The Stallion and ‘Belong To The Streets’ threw me off, ‘It Was Good Until It Wasn’t’ ultimately provides the soundtrack to a quarantined summer. Choosing to close her album with a track featuring the late rapper Lexii Alijai, who passed away back in January, the album wraps up as a perfect tribute honouring the person she loved like a ‘little sister’.
With Kehlani, it’s clear that the music comes first and always will. ‘It Was Good Until It Wasn’t’ feels like her way of paying homage to her former self by burying any pain and love lost she’s experienced since ‘SweetSexySavage’. The result of an exhausting breakup and the pressures of motherhood has worked in her favour. The albums arrangement of serenading beats and jazzy undertones has genuinely proven that Kehlani is a force to be reckoned with.
In fact, we can only applaud Kehlani for being courageous and sticking to her guns with the release of ‘It Was Good Until It Wasn’t’ during a pandemic. This is her best project to date. Hats off to you Kehlani”.
I would urge people to listen to It Was Good Until It Wasn't – even if they are not aware of Kehlani’s work. It is a wonderful album that will stick in your head. I wonder where she will head next and what direction will the music take? On the basis of It Was Good Until It Wasn't, I think that we will continue to receive incredible music from Kehlani for years to come. It has been interesting exploring albums by important L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ artists. I will continue exploring more before Pride Month is through. Kehlani is an idol to so many people; one of the most important L.G.B.T.QI.A.+ artists in modern music. It Was Good Until It Wasn't is a brilliant album that…
DESERVES fresh focus.