Kehlani's 'While We Wait 2' Mixtape: A Soulful Exploration of Love, Longing, and Liberation + MY TOP5!

Hey Readers!

NEW Kehlani! *in my Missy Elliott voice*

R&B sensation Kehlani is back with her brand-new mixtape, "While We Wait 2"! You may be thinking, "Didn't we just get a new album from Kehlani?" And you're right! "While We Wait 2" arrives hot on the heels of her June release, "Crash".

This exciting new project features the lead single "When He's Not There", a collaboration with Lucky Daye. Other standout tracks include features from Lil Mo and Vince Staples, Kwn, Destin Conrad and childofnines, Dixson, FLO, and Ludmilla, who teams up with Kehlani for a remix of "After Hours".

I'm seriously impressed - it's like she's taken her sound to a whole new level! You can totally hear the Brandy influence throughout, and I love it. The production is top-notch, and the storytelling is everyhting.

If I'm being picky, there are a few moments where her vocals feel a bit misplaced, but honestly, it's not a big deal. It's actually kind of cool, because it adds this raw, rock-inspired edge to her vocal performance. It's like she's intentionally pushing the boundaries, and it makes the whole thing feel more real and emotional.

Overall, I'm loving this new direction Kehlani's heading in. She's always been talented, but this latest release feels like a game-changer.

I'm curious about the inspiration behind the mixtape. Was this a collection of leftover tracks from the 'CRASH' era, or was there a specific message she wanted to convey? I'm wondering if there was a particular point she aimed to prove with this release. I'd love some clarification on why she chose to drop a mixtape so soon after her album. Was it a creative overflow, or a strategic move? I'm eager to understand why.

Anyway, below are five tracks from the mixtape that I deem top tier, listed without any specific ranking. Feel free to share your thoughts - do you agree with my choices? Don't forget to share your own top five tracks in the comments section! I'm eager to hear your opinions and see if we have similar tastes.

1. 8

   1. Right off the bat, the chorus of this song remnds me of Ashanti's "Leaving (Always on Time, Part II)" for some reason. Do you hear it? Anyway, this song is nasty and I love it. The girls are clearly craving physical connection and pleasure, using food and dessert as metaphors for their desires. FLO's Stella shines on this one.

   
   

2. Slow Dance

   1. A romantic slow jam that captures the essence of intimate connection. With its seductive beats and playful lyrics, this soulful ballad takes you on a journey of desire, vulnerability, and emotional connection. Perfect for a night in with your loved one.

   
   

3. Border

   1. This song embodies the quintessential Brandy, particularly in its vocal production of the chorus. Notably, the lyrics "And maybe everyone here would call me crazy, And then you'd tell 'em it's the borderline" I'm going to assume pay homage to Brandy's "B7" single, "Borderline". This heartfelt ballad masterfully conveys the struggle of confronting inner demons and finding solace in darkness, through its poignant lyrics and soaring melodies, ultimately capturing the anguish of emotional turmoil and the yearning for escape and redemption.

   
   

4. S.I.N.G.L.E

   1. I consider this to be one of my favorite tracks from the mixtape. It's a poignant ballad that masterfully portrays a toxic relationship teetering on the edge of collapse. The song skillfully conveys the anguish of feeling disregarded and the deep yearning for unconditional love. However, as the chorus resonates with the haunting refrain "I'm never gonna love ever again", it becomes evident that it's time to move on.

   
   

5. When He’s Not There

   1. Arguably the standout track on the mixtape, this sultry ballad is a masterful portrayal of forbidden love and hidden desires. Kehlani's emotive vocals skillfully narrate a tale of a secret affair, where two women succumb to their passion in secret. SCANDALOUS! When she sings, "Know you're missin' your favourite seat,"((SCREAMS)) this is hypothetical, right Kehlani!?👀 The addition of Lucky Daye's smooth verse injects a new level of yearning, making this an intimate anthem that perfectly encapsulates the thrill of secret encounters and the unspoken emotions.

(Pictures via Atlantic Records)