The American singer’s second album was preceded by three singles that were each promoted via music videos shot at her home. This sense of dedication shines through into this highly vulnerable body of work that emulates clear and concise R&B at its finest, complete with interludes that contextualise the feelings shared about relationships throughout the record. However, it has to be said that some tracks feel too fast-paced to get all the messages across and allow them to resonate with the listener completely, partially due to many of the tracks being below three minutes in length. Also, songs like Hate the Club start out promising but are diminished by rather simplistic songwriting. Despite that, this record does have its highlights and some very solid collaborations, but I would have liked to see more complexity and range in the lyricism.
TOP 3 SONGS:
1. Serial Lover
– On this honest and open track about sexuality and relationships, Kehlani describes her limitless love like an addiction that she can’t quit through subdued production that allows the frank lyrical content (with lines such as “I got girls I wanna give my last name” and “love hard, fuck harder” present in the chorus) to shine through. SCORE: 4/5
2. Open (Passionate)
– The final full-length track on It Was Good Until It Wasn’t features impressive vocal delivery paired with loving and empowering lyricism alongside instrumentation that switches styles on several occasions to keep the listener on their toes. In short, it’s a varied and souls end to the body of work proper. SCORE: 4/5
3. Change Your Life (ft. Jhené Aiko)
– This collaborative track encourages a partner time allow them to indulge themselves in the opportunities provided by their lover, as Kehlani wishes to take them “to the other side”; romantic and charismatic in tone, lyrically the track is showered with optimism but that does provide it with an unfortunate juvenile edge. The production punctuating every word in the chorus is a nice touch. SCORE: 4/5
Special mention to Water, Bad News and Everybody Business.
OVERALL SCORE: 3.5/5
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