Album Review: Crash by Kehlani
With an abundance of dramatic shifts in style and an infusion of theatrical elements into a confined area, it requires careful effort to disentangle Kehlani’s latest effort.
Multiple narratives capture Kehlani Parrish’s rise from a promising talent to a revered figure in the R&B scene. One narrative paints a picture of uninterrupted triumph. During their teenage years, Kehlani was the lead singer of a cover band that secured fourth place on America’s Got Talent, catching the attention of Nick Cannon and several major record labels. Atlantic meticulously crafted their public image and private skills from their 2014 mixtape Cloud 19 to 2015’s album-like mixtape You Should Be Here, alongside extensive radio promotion. By 2016, she had garnered recognition from mainstream and subcultural avenues, securing a spot for their moodily stylish song on the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated Suicide Squad and landing an unexpected Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album for a project still freely available on SoundCloud.
In contrast to much of today’s R&B, their debut SweetSexySavage is independent of nostalgic elements and succumbs to the pitfalls common in retro-themed albums. Appropriately named, While We Wait was crafted during her pregnancy and is considered one of their most refined works. It Was Good Until It Wasn’t transforms their poised artistry into a masterful R&B experience. Unlike their earlier, more personal and victorious tracks, this album prioritizes creating an absorbing atmosphere. Kehlani delves into emotions and scenarios, embracing their complexities and tensions. Through this process, they frequently find insight instead of emotional release.
Kehlani’s previous record, Blue Water Road, signals their peak of artistic maturity, presenting a sophisticated array of musical and thematic intricacies back in 2022. Marking their first release since openly embracing their lesbian identity, the album takes an unabashedly queer stance, which is particularly impactful in a society often hostile to non-conforming sexual and gender identities. The musical landscape of the album ventures into orchestral pop and smooth, easy listening, a departure from the synthetic R&B and rap elements that fans have come to expect. It narrates a nonlinear, loosely connected story culminating in themes of love and solace, emerging just as society starts to reconnect physically.
In the days leading up to the release of their fourth studio album, Kehlani hinted at a diverse musical approach, sparking concerns among fans about a potential lack of focus. However, with the reveal of her latest release, Crash, the 29-year-old artist has effectively dispelled these worries. Kehlani’s artistic evolution is evident in their recent statement on Twitter (we’re not calling it X, sorry, not sorry). This sentiment reflects a newfound confidence in their artistic identity, suggesting that Crash represents a turning point in Kehlani’s career—one where they fully embrace her multifaceted musical persona.
A crash involves two entities colliding forcefully without ethical, emotional, or intentional implications. Kehlani embodies this raw energy in the album’s opening track, “GrooveTheory,” which pays homage to the influential ‘90s R&B duo of the same name. Rather than easing listeners into the album, Kehlani immediately immerses them in a powerful sonic collision, positioning themselves at the center of the track’s tangible, atmospheric soundscape. As “GrooveTheory” progresses, its initial intensity gives way to a more subdued ambiance. In this latter portion, Kehlani combines a series of alluring and psychedelic refrains, drawing from their signature artistic style.
“I’m not the one, and I’m kinda crazy.”
This dynamic opening sets the tone for an album that promises to showcase Kehlani’s evolving artistry while honoring their musical roots.
The thing about Kehlani is that you don’t know what you’ll get with their releases, and this effort is no different, which makes it entrancing. It can sometimes be synonymous with perplexing. This album jumps from various sounds, brimming with clear-cut brilliance. The Coolie Dance Rhythm-sampled “After Hours” skips along with a rhythm reminiscent of the Caribbean, while the Camper-produced “Sucia” shines as a contemporary piece of psychedelic soul, enriched by Jill Scott’s poetic and smooth vocals and further enhanced by Puerto Rican sensation Young Miko’s Spanish rap. Meanwhile, “Tears” ensnares as an airy dance tune that skillfully integrates South African amapiano bass with Omah Lay following along. However, juxtaposing these songs with the dramatic rock grandeur of “Crash” or “Vegas” can create a bewildering mix of styles.
If anybody deserves their flowers for this work, it’s DIXSON. Outside of delivering one of the best singles of the year with “Next 2 U,” the dynamic “Deep” is a complex illustration of how the artist emerged from serious hardships—symbolized by sleeping on a mattress and bare concrete—but also one that gave them a determination that lifted her during a time when society dismissed them as nothing more than a pretty face. Trench coats and low-key existence are vivid images embedded with survival and resistance motifs due to the relentless fluctuation between the public and the private spheres of fame and self-preservation.
As much as there is a fair share of variety and standout tracks, plus general cohesion here, it's a pity the songwriting on the base of Crash misfires sometimes. The mid-album guitar ballad “Better Not” features something so passé, with Kehlani cloyingly lamenting over heartbreak and wrongdoings. Ditto for the poor '80s attempt with “Vegas.” However, in the last two strong songs, Kehlani juxtaposes this with meditative insights into the fleeting nature of life and love, encapsulated in the recurring patterns of limited time (“How many times do we get to live this life? Only one”) and the desire for permanence through ephemeral symbols like tattoos and gold rings on “Chapel” and “Lose My Wife” looks into relatable portrayal of personal and relational stakes amid moments of indiscretion by singing into the specifics of their transgressions—drinking, driving, and inappropriate social behaviors—escalating into a candid portrayal of a strained relationship on the brink over a laid-back guitar beat.
Crash reinforces everything fans appreciate about Kehlani. The album reflects the fractured aspects of the artist’s life and the world around them. Kehlani takes on the role of an imperfect main character, dealing with poor choices, intense romantic encounters, and risk-taking in their personal and professional life. Fans are encouraged to view the drama from above, enjoying the unfiltered spectacle in its entirety. The concise and well-paced track list will likely leave fans wanting more. If Kehlani’s goal was to create a collision of emotions and thoughts, they largely achieved it.
Great (★★★★☆)
Favorite Track(s): “8,” “Sucia,” “Deep”