W.I.L.T.W.I.I.Y. Elle Varner – Perfectly Imperfect

Besides being one of my curl crushes, I love this woman’s voice and something about her makes me feel like I’d get along with her in real life. From watching her interviews to listening to her breakdown the album on Spotify, she’s become quite the friend in my head. I’m shocked to hear someone as beautiful and talented as her was ever bullied, but it makes me all the more curious about her.  I don’t know why hearing that the same things I let burdeon my life happen to this beautiful woman makes me feel like less of a loser, but it does. I mean if someone can find something about this bombshell to pick at or not accept, I don’t feel as bad about my shortcommings. But I digress a bit. I’m in love with Elle Varner’s new album Perfectly Imperfect.

I first heard of Elle on Vh1 Soul watching her “Only Wana Give It To You” video featuring J. Cole. From there, it was a wrap. I found her mixtape Conversational Lush on Kid Fury’s site and that sealed the deal for me. After confirming via Spotify that I loved her debut album Perfectly Imperfect, I went ahead and purchased it. It’s been on repeat all week. So, on to my breakdown of my favorites….

Jhene Aiko ~ Sailing Soul(s)

I can’t remember how long ago it was, but it’s been a while. I fell in love with Jhene Aiko’s mixtape Sailing Soul(s) on first listen. Jhene ( @JheneAiko) has a light and airy voice that manages to have a strong source; she doesn’t sound like she’s singing from her nose or throat. She sounds like she’s talking, yet singing…… I don’t know. She’s probably part unicorn. As it usually has it though, I was distracted by who knows what and quite some time had passed since I gave it more than a few initial listens. Who knows what it was that sparked my interest in listening again, but it’s been on repeat for at least a solid week now. Easily. I know it’s time for another album review so the timing is quite appropriate.

Oddly enough, some of the songs I enjoy the lyrics to the most, happen to be the ones I skip most frequently, and some of the songs I listen to most frequently I don’t pay much attention to the lyrics. I appreciate each song for different reasons. These are my top pics.

Young Jeezy ~ TM:103 Hutslerz Ambition

To begin, let me just say I have my reservations with referring to this man as “young” anything, but I will say, Jeezy has a dope ass album on his hands.  I downloaded it last week around Wednesday or Thursday and it’s been the best $15 I’ve spent in a while.  I’ve ran it through at least once every day since.  I can listen to the whole album with out skipping a track, but I will say my favorites are “Waiting”, “Way Too Gone”, “SuperFreak”, “All We Do”, “Leave You Alone”, “Everythang”, ”Trapped” and “I Do”. 

Mya – K.I.S.S.

I wasn’t quite sure who I wanted to start this series out with, as I have so many I actually want to share with you guys already.  I figured I’d run with what I was ACTUALLY listening to at the moment.  Apropos, no?

So I recently discovered Spotify. Tardy to the party, I know. Your judgment aside, I love it.  I was in a throwback mood, so I started listening to old Mya songs.  I was immediately taken back to my junior high and high school days, listening to all the songs I randomly dedicated to some scruffy boy at the time lol (looking back, I picked some winners to like man). As I’m listening, I’m hearing some songs I’ve never heard before.  I was enjoying them, but not really paying attention to them because honestly, listening to Mya (Mya’s self-titled debut album) as an adult is an experience all on its own.  What I didn’t get at 13, I for damn sure get now lol. I’ll forever love that album. SO many great songs. But I say all of this to say, I was paying more attention to what I was listening to now.  I took a look at the playlist and realized, Mya had a new ass album drop! My memo was obviously misplaced… it’s cool. Thanks to Spotify, I had the entire K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple) album at my disposal.  I quickly fell in love.

Two days later my premium membership expired, and I couldn’t listen to Spotify on my iPhone. I sure as hell bought K.I.S.S. from the iTunes store RIGHT away.  No way I’d wait until I got home to listen to it again, nor be restricted to listening to it from my MacBook (I can’t stream on the work computer #fail). I can honestly say K.I.S.S. is the first album I’ve ever listened to and LOVED every song.  In my 15+ years or so of actively choosing the music I listen to, I’ve never loved an entire album.  I’ve come close, but there’s generally that one song that I ALWAYS skip. Are there songs I love more than others on this album? Of course. But, I can honestly say I can listen to the entire album without skipping anything and be happy.  Here’s a quick list of my favorites the songs for all intents and purposes I “like” instead of love:

Rear View Mirror (feat Sean Paul)

Earthquake (feat Trina)

Break Your Neck

Love Comes, Love Goes

That’s it. Of the 17 tracks, I’m head over heels for 13.  I own albums that don’t even have 13 tracks. You do too.

If you ask me, A couple of the songs feel like they should be theme music for a network television series, Lifetime movie, or just your regular old blockbuster film. Since this is my blog, I’m going to pretend you did ask me and give you my rundown on my placements. “K.I.S.S.” could totally be the theme song for a new show about a young woman newly on her own in a new city or a Lifetime movie with a similar plot. This would be the song that plays in the commercial advertising the show though. “Fabulous Life” would be the song to a new reality show about some chicks living duh, a fabulous life. “Break Your Neck” is the song that plays in the movie when one of the protagonists gets a kick ass makeover and steps out on the scene. “Problem & Solution” would play during the break up scene, OR be the song in the trailer that plays as they introduce the plot of the movie. “Evolve” would play as the protagonist(s) walk off into the sunset at the end of a happily ending movie OR as they do the montage scene of them progressing through whatever they’re struggling with through most of the movie. “Somebody Come Get This Bitch” would of course play as they’re passing judgment on the skanky chick in the club. Someone should pay me to do this. As a side note, “Fugitive of Love” I don’t necessarily see as a theme song to anything, but I love the production, arrangement and vocals on this. It was an easy favorite for me.

So there you have it. I love the album and am really glad Mya is back with new and really good music. I’d be amiss if I didn’t say I highly recommend the album and think everyone should own it. Make sure to hit her up on Twitter @MISSMYA and tell her I sent you <3

What I’m Listening To While I Ignore You

Cool story bro.

Affectionately known as WILTWIIY (pronounced in my head as wilt-we), “What I’m Listening To While I Ignore You” has been an idea of mine for a TVE section for quite some time.  I love music. I sit at my desk at work with one ear bud in and my headset for my phone on the other ear.  When I go on break, my music goes with me.  Sadly, ear buds don’t deter people from talking to you anymore.  There’s no respect.  Quite often, I put my buds in even when I’m not listening to anyone just so I can ignore people.  When I’m not just being anti-social, though, I’m rockin out.  When I discover a new artist or a new album, it’s safe to say I’ll go a week without listening to anything else.  I can keep one song on repeat for an entire day and be content.  I’m that friend that will call you and begin the convo with how awesome whatever song or artist I’m digging at the time is and go on about it for a smooth 15;  with no shame.  When I’m passionate about something, I have to share it. So here you have it. As I come across new artists and music, I’ll share my thoughts and reviews with you.  Please feel free to tweet, facebook, or email me with suggestions of artists and music.  I’m open to everything – honest.