Review: Tinashe - BB/Ang3l
Credit: Raven Varona
What would kick off a series of three connected projects, BB/Ang3l is emotive and softly smooth. Experimentation and a divergence from genre norms (the songs range between R&B, Pop, Wlectronic, Drum & Bass) are in full force here. In doing so, Tinashe further cements her strengths in this arena, helping her standout amongst her peers, and creating a way that double-downs on what I would call her “brand”. BB/Ang3l is the appetizer in what will become a feast of twists and turns to be heard in these records (and in the ones to follow!), this is the RNB Nerd review of BB/Ang3l.
"Treason”, in my opinion, takes the place of the usual (yet surprisingly omitted) introduction song for a Tinashe project. The opening instrumental registers almost ceremonial; Tinashe using the chime-like sounds to cleanse the space, before she pours out her heart in the gut wrenching lyrics that reflect on her own love-induced self-mortification. “Treason” is cerebral and uninhibited, we see Tinashe take complete ownership for her reckless decision to dive into something that she knows will only lead to her demise. Confessing self-hatred, willing foolishness, and the admission of guilt is bolstered by dark, mystical, and vivid production (prod. by MachineDrum - Dawn Richard, Azealia Banks, Jacques Greene, Diplo, Rochelle Jordan). The final product is a record that takes the listener into deeper depths of how Tinashe loves and has loved, revealing the sort of tension that she experiences in wanting something so bad even though it may not be best for her. Tinashe has done very well since the beginning of her career and in her songwriting to vocalize the crazy passion she feels while in the emotion of love. Think songs like “Ecstasy” (my fave Tinashe song ever if you even care), “Fire and Flames”, “Bated Breath”, “Save Room for Us”, and “Crossing the Cosmos” (another all time fave of mine).
"Talk To Me Nice" - Introspective lyrics, surrealist production, and dare I see some deep philosophical themes show up here in moments during the second half of "Talk to Me Nice". Very reminiscent of the second half of "Small Reminders" from 333. And don't we all love when T is in her lower register? Busting right through the gate on the second track, Tinashe rides her familiar wave and experimentation is on 100 in this one. I mean it is freaking... NOSAJ THING (Chance the Rapper, Kid Kudi, serpentwithfeet, Toro y Moi) & SCOOP DEVILLE (Buddy, Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rhymes, Vince Staples). Truly something out of left-field and a choice that I super appreciate being a fan of contemporary R&B, I love to see how artists can take something that can be perceived as "far-out" and alchemize the sound into something palatable for R&B fans from all sides of house. ILL GO FURTHER, by saying that songs like this build the case that contemporary and modern R&B music can be soulful whilst innovating, just saying..
"Needs" - An unquestionable R&B/trap moment (prod. by Royce David - Lil Mosey and Jonny Made-It - Yung Bans, Lil Mosey, Highway) that will remain a fun, danceable, staple in the Tinashe catalogue, is how I would best describe "Needs". Let me just say, the IMMEDIATE activation I feel from Tinashe's flow; she sounds so damn cool here and is anyone else getting "Hopscotch" vibes? The lyrics are flirty and give it a certain spark that makes it hard to ignore, especially with the clever melding of sex, dance, and food references. What I find the most interesting about "Needs" in respect to its placement in the project overall, is how Tinashe is able to go full out no matter what state of mind she is touching on. Here on "Needs" she is confident, nimble, and holds nothing back (lyrically ofc, however Tinashe is def vocally subdued for this one OBVS). But right before this, she was knee-deep into heavier subject matter. "Needs" also does well to transition the mood into our next record, the parallel feeling "Uh Huh".
"Uh Huh" - I owe this one to months of playback, trying to get these words right, and delaying this entire review for months :( BUT I have come out of this entire ordeal, SUCH A HUGE FAN OF THIS RECORD and I now know why this was the third (and final) single. Tinashe was always two steps ahead and goes to show she really knows herself and her music style. Initially, I felt the painful inertia of falling from the turn-up that was "Needs" and hitting the floor of "Uh Huh" because I just wanted the tempo to keep going up. HOW-EVER, Tinashe's hypnotizing stacked vocals and harmonies really bring you to a sweet spot if you let them. Her brand of higher-register vocals set to trippy, wonky, synths is soothing as much as it is a mood all on its own (courtesy of producer Kurzweil - Masego, Bas, Zayn, VanJess). The beat bumps, almost begging to be compared to "No Contest", albeit more grown, sexy, and assured. The visual is equally as gorgeous! In the end, do not be like me and hit skip on this one if you are at first apprehensive or itching to get onto the what is next .
"Gravity" - My favorite record from the project and one of my favorite Tinashe records EVER. A sonic vacuum consisting of Tinashe, producers V-lad and MachineDrum, along with vocal producer and engineer Ike Shultz, send Tinashe to an ethereal, mesmerizing world where she sings in a tone that is mysterious and dreamy. Some of her BEST vocals are on display here, PACIFICALLY as she pleads to be brought back down to earth. Out of both the music and vocal production, we get a total convergence of electronic, pop, drum & bass, and R&B genres that sound nothing but divine. Such a remarkable record unlike I have heard in recent years and one I consistently reach for all the time in moments that I need reassurance or a reminder of who I am.
"None Of My Business" - The dark instrumental shifts the mood of the project, sucking you into a completely different state of mind that is solemn and sobering. This genius sonic shift really needs its own moment to be celebrated. The Royce David & Platinum Libraries (Megan The Stallion, Tink, Vedo, Ari Lennox) produced record envelopes you like a thick fog, the production slowly builds by gnawing in and out, almost eminent of the lyrics subject matter. Tinashe’s beautiful voice lends to the song never feeling too heavy, with gorgeous and memorable ad-libs on the second verse that come in right before the bridge. This is definitely my favorite part of the record and one I always emphasize during my sing-alongs and listening sessions. In my opinion, this song could have sat somewhere nicely on the Nightride project, am I alone here? I have mentioned before how Tinashe can succeed very well at being no-frills, by making straight up R&B and this is that moment on the album. This probably explains why it was one of the first songs that felt accessible to me.
"Tightrope" - #justicefortightrope am I right? Upon release, "Tightrope" received heavy mention across X and Instagram. Ending the project on a high note such as this, it was an interesting way for Tinashe to create a "save progress" point in the game. This record on BB/Ang3l portrays the many facets of Tinashe NOW; the drum & bass production (by MachineDrum) along with her use of love as a metaphor for life. A metaphor that personifies her experiences in life (both personal and romantic) and the industry, if I had to guess. What is also interesting is for as much love as this record got from her fans, it seems to be absent from recent world tour setlist, hmmm. Vocally, Tinashe is pure as snow and "Tightrope" is yet another example of Tinashe telling a great story lyrically and driving it home with her otherworldly backgrounds and delivery.
Credit: Raven Varona
BB/Ang3l speaks for itself, showcasing Tinashe's continued freedom not only in her music but in her ability to shed her emotional inhibitions. Tinashe is talented, sexy, and a bad ass in every sense. However, it is her ability to express sadness, pain, failure, heartbreak, and rejection so openly in her unique way that really grounds her. This project feels like an isolated instance, when you consider what feels like a flood of emotions being conveyed here. I like that this is the start to something larger, it opens my mind to what else she is capable of, and all the uncharted waters she has yet to explore. Good music will always prevail and more so if she continues to lean into her uniqueness as an artist.
Credit: Raven Varona
***SIDE NOTE - I sat with this project for a long time and it is very cathartic for me to finally put it out into the world. Some personal things in my life threw me off track and it feels like I lost my voice and forgot what it is I had to say about the music that I love so much. This review and the act of picking up where I left off has helped me overcome the proverbial writer's block. This project and so much more of the amazing music that’s come out in the last year and a half has reminded me of my reason for making all this effort. Thank YOU to whoever is reading this and to those of you that have supported me and never let me forget what’s in my heart. It means more than you could ever know. I love you! - Gumaro (THEEEE RNB Nerd )
