This is the debut studio album from rising R&B singer-songwriter Ella Mai, who I won’t introduce too heavily because I already covered her latest EP, “Ready.” In my review of that EP (my 120th review, matter of fact), I mentioned how it was a good showcase of Ella’s gorgeous vocals, but that DJ Mustard’s production was mostly lacking throughout the EP and not doing her any favors. Since she released that EP, however, she has become one of 2018’s biggest breakout stars: “Boo’d Up” has peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 (it also landed at #15 on the Year-End Hot 100), and her follow-up single “Trip” has peaked at #11 on the Hot 100 (while also narrowly landing on the Year-End list at #92). She has also parlayed the success of those songs into some bigger features: she appeared on the song “24/7” with Meek Mill on his new album “Championships,” and she also appears on the song “Tiiied” with J.I.D and 6LACK on J.I.D’s new album “DiCaprio 2” (which I covered in my recent 4-in-1 review, by the way, great record).
Now, while I had my critiques on “Ready,” I mostly chalked them up to Mustard’s production and felt like Ella showed plenty of vocal potential throughout the EP, so I was still relatively excited going into this album. Not just because of her vocals, but because this album also featured “Trip,” the follow-up single that I really enjoyed, and the song “Naked” as a bonus track, another one that’s gotten plenty of repeat listens out of me. Given that the production seemed to be doing her more favors on those songs, and that “Boo’d Up” would be on here as well, I was excited to see if this debut album would keep things in the “R&B throwback” direction that’s been working wonders for her biggest singles. So, here we go, Ella’s in for my 150th review, will she succeed? Let’s take a listen and find out:
Emotion: A super short track, Ella kicks off with a small poem that continues throughout the album, defining what “emotion” is and referring to it as a rollercoaster. Hell yeah it is, girl. Either way, as a 12-second poem, there’s not much to say about it other than that it serves its purpose to kick off the album. Next track.
Good Bad: The first actual song on the album, Ella talks here about the game of Charades she and her boyfriend are playing with each other’s hearts, and basically being unapologetic towards him. And it’s a very punchy, upbeat track with electronic percussion and some light hi-hats. I love the vibrant pianos as well on here, and Ella really sells the song with her vocals. She sounds gorgeous and so smooth on here, she rides the beat so perfectly, and she comes through with catchy and fun melodies throughout the song. It feels like a solid blend of the old-school R&B vibe Ella goes for, while also featuring some slick trap crossover as well. Really strong start to the album.
Dangerous: A track about a “dangerous” love that has Ella thinking about making their relationship last forever, this is another song that feels very heavily electronic, while also having a very slick bassline and a super punchy drum beat that kinda reminds me of something you’d hear in the 2000s out of Beyoncé or her then-group Destiny’s Child. It’s a song with plenty of fun grooves, and Ella’s vocals are undeniably charming on this one. The heavy percussion does drown her out just a little bit but said percussion is just so fun and catchy that it doesn’t detract from my enjoyment of the song. I like this!
Sauce: A very confident, bouncy cut, Ella talks here about how she just met someone who’s already singing her praises without knowing if she’s a good or bad girl, and she warns him to let her know if it’s gonna be too much for him to handle. And right from the start, I love the synth pianos on this rather down-tempo track, and the very smooth, relaxed vibe of the song is really working for me. Ella’s vocals feature very effortless charisma, as one would expect, and I think the hook is one of the best on the album. I really dig what Ella’s going for on this track!
Whatchamacallit (feat. Chris Brown): A collaboration with the infamous fellow R&B star Chris Brown (not their first, by the way), this is a song that basically talks about a secretive relationship between two people, and they talk about how they know it’s wrong and could “wait until she’s single,” but how the mischievous nature of the affair only makes them want it more…to which I want to remind my readers that cheating is wrong and can mentally mess someone up badly so please don’t do it. Thank you. Anyway, as much as the message of the song rubs me the wrong way, I can’t help but fall in love with the production on this one. It’s just too groovy and hypnotizing, and it’s easy for me to fall for. I can kinda see why people wouldn’t like this, it does feel like far too many songs that Chris Brown’s name has been attached to, but dammit, Ella and Chris sound so great, and it’s just too fun for me to ignore. Gah, I hate that I’m not tougher on lyrics because I shouldn’t be giving it power, but damn, it’s so catchy.
Cheap Shot: Here, Ella talks about how a guy isn’t seeing her for what she really is, and is basically using her for sex. It’s a fascinating track, in that it’s a little bit more guitar-lead than I expected. It’s another slightly more low-tempo track, and it does take on a rather pumping feel when the beat drops, but it’s actually a nonetheless smooth track with solid production and typically beautiful lower-register vocals from Ella. I’ve already said this a few times, but Ella can sell a number of these songs with her vocals, and that’s exactly what she does here. Even over a somewhat standard instrumental, she keeps things interesting with her catchy melodies and smooth sound. I really like this track!
Shot Clock: A song where Ella talks about how we shouldn’t take anyone for granted and how people won’t wait on us forever, she actually interestingly interpolates Drake’s “Legend” on this track. I dig that song, so respect, Ella. With the electronic instrumentals and somewhat slower sound, this one does feel a bit like the last track, but it nonetheless remains bouncy and emphatic. And once again, I think she sells this song by just sounding so beautiful on it. Her vocals are charismatic and smooth, and she reminds us that she has a great ear for melodies on this one. It has a strong old-school feel to it, and it’s a really fun listen.
Boo’d Up: Now, as some of you may know, I reviewed Ella’s EP “Ready,” which already featured this track. However, naturally, Ella included it again as it has become very popular of late, so since I already reviewed it, and my thoughts have not changed on it, I’ll just copy and paste what I said in my previous review: “I have played this song on repeat too many times to count already. I already mentioned at the beginning that I absolutely adore this song, so I’ll try to keep this part short: this very romantic cut is a beautiful piece of R&B goodness, where Ella sings about someone that makes her feel like the greatest person in the world. I love the click-clacking percussion, Ella’s vocals are beautiful, and the hook is too sticky: it gets in your head and won’t get out, but luckily, it’s something you won’t mind having in your head. Again, one of my favorite Top 10-peaking singles of the year, it’s definitely a really lovely track that starts off the EP wonderfully.” Only difference is that this doesn’t start off the album, but nonetheless, my thoughts haven’t changed, still love this track.
Everything (feat. John Legend): Ella collaborating with John Legend? This is the singing combination all of our hearts need. And it’s a very sweet track about being so in love with someone that you trust them with all of your pain and struggles, and are going to have everything with them. It’s a slower track with groovy, sensual synth pianos and typically smooth vocals from Ella, though I’m not as crazy about some of the 808s that come in on the chorus. Luckily, John Legend pops in and his vocals are what you’d expect…that’s a nice way of saying they’re beautiful. Not as big on the chorus on here, I don’t think it’s as catchy as some of the others on the record, but I’m glad the song was still a great vocal showcase from two artists that both sound so amazing. Might even grow on me with a few more listens.
Own It: A much more raunchy, sex-driven track, Ella talks here about she’s going to “put the na-na in naughty” and have her boy begging her for more. Yes, guys, gals, and non-binary pals, the same woman whose heart goes “ba-dum, boo’d up” also “puts the na-na in naughty.” Get you somebody that can do both. And also, get you somebody that really does well with the old-school R&B vibe, because she’s doing it well with this one. It’s another slightly downtempo track, but super sensual and fun, and Ella’s runs throughout this song are gorgeous up against the 808s and smooth, light guitar grooves. Definitely dig this one!
Run My Mouth: Here, Ella talks about how she needs this person’s “satisfaction,” and how she’s an addict to this person. Even if they are a bad habit, she can’t get enough. Unfortunately, I’m not quite as in love with the production here: it’s a bit too murky and it does at times just feel like a very standard, 808-driven trap-flavored track. And yes, Ella sounds beautiful once again here, but I feel like the trap style of the song just doesn’t quite fit her as well in this instance. Oh, and the abrupt ending doesn’t quite do it for me, either. There are definitely things to like about the track, but I definitely think it’s one of the weaker songs on the album.
Gut Feeling (feat. H.E.R.): A surprising collaboration with the newly Grammy-nominated H.E.R., Ella talks about having a gut feeling about someone, and how this person’s touch just kills her. And this is another more sultry track with a light drum beat and very luscious piano melody. Most of the song is pretty light, but it definitely gets heavier on the chorus. That said, it remains compelling on said chorus, and Ella sounds lovely on the song. H.E.R. also provides some gorgeous vocals that fit nicely against the pianos here, and I think the two ladies play off of each other wonderfully. Really like this cut!
Trip: The second big single from this album, Ella describes this as going against some R&B norms: instead of talking about how someone has done the singer wrong, this is a moment where the singer talks about doing someone else wrong. It’s about being entranced in a relationship and apologizing for “tripping” on someone or hurting them. It’s another infectious and gorgeous piece of throwback R&B with beautiful vocals from Ella and an unbelievably catchy hook. Ella's melodies on the chorus get stuck in your head so easily, and the song manages to be emotional while remaining upbeat. I’m not sure it’s better than “Boo’d Up,” but regardless, it’s a worthy follow-up and a track I’ve already broken the replay button with several times over. Can’t wait to keep doing it more.
Close: An ode to a lover that Ella wants to keep close to her, and how no one else matters except for this lover, this one has more very silky smooth synth pianos and a lighter vibe, while also having some slick percussion as well. Ella’s more lower-register vocals remain gorgeous, and she sounds gorgeous up against the more sultry sounds here. I wouldn’t say the song has the strongest hook on the album, and it may not be one of the album’s strongest cuts, but I definitely think it’s got a very smooth, emotional vibe that really works. And perhaps the song will grow on me a bit with a few more listens.
Easy: What Ella’s described as an “emotional” song that she’s “most proud of,” this one sees her pointing out to someone that love is easy and they shouldn’t make it hard. She notes that this was special for her because she recorded it with her mom and grandma in the studio. That’s actually pretty sweet, I honestly wouldn’t have the confidence to sing in front of my family so I respect it. And the song is easily the rawest on the album, as it’s a rather simple piano-driven track. Naturally, with Ella’s naturally smooth vocals, she fits perfectly over an instrumental like this, but it also helps that the song just has a very emotional vibe to it that really works. Ella sounds smooth up against the piano, and she crafts what’s definitely the perfect closer to the album (well, outside of the next bonus track, but still, you get what I mean).
Naked - Bonus Track: A single apparently released before “Boo’d Up,” this song was tacked on to the album as a bonus track instead of being part of the main album. I can kind of see why it’s a bonus track: most of the time, bonus tracks don’t fit with the vibe of the main album, and given that this is an acoustic track, it doesn’t fit with what feels like a throwback to old-school R&B. Nonetheless, I adore this track: it’s about loving someone not just for their physical appearance, but for what’s behind all of their flaws, and Ella’s vocals fit perfectly up against the light acoustic melody. It kinda sucks this one didn’t take off as much as some of her other singles, but nonetheless, it’s a great track and a lovely finisher to the album. I’m glad Ella decided to throw it on here.
Overall, Ella Mai’s got herself a hit with her self-titled debut album. I’m glad this is my 150th review, and the last one on my blog, because this one was a lot of fun. As I’ve said before in my review of Ella’s last EP, her vocals are gorgeous and that doesn’t change here: she can sell songs with her vocals alone. But what really sells this album and makes it more compelling is that DJ Mustard’s production actually provides a better support structure for her and doesn’t feel like it takes away from her charm. It’s a loving throwback to old-school R&B with some interesting new twists to it, and it’s a great showcase of a new artist who, hopefully, will have some very real staying power. “Boo’d Up” alone has the potential to become a timeless R&B classic, and I’m hoping that with this album, people continue to listen to Ella’s music and enjoy what she’s coming through with. And for that matter, I hope her output continues: I see she’s already picking up big features, I hope that continues to happen and she keeps putting out good stuff because she’s off to a good start here.
As I said before, by the way, I want to once again thank everyone who tuned into this blog and checked out my reviews here. I’m not one for long speeches, so I’m gonna keep this pretty short: it was great getting started over here, and I can’t wait to grow, learn, and react to more music over on my YouTube channel. Thank you so much, everybody, and stay tuned because I’ve got plenty more coming in the future.
Favorite tracks: Good Bad, Dangerous, Sauce, Whatchamacallit, Cheap Shot, Shot Clock, Boo’d Up, Own It, Gut Feeling, Trip, Easy, Naked
Least favorite tracks: Run My Mouth (if I had to pick one)
Rating: Excellent
Least favorite tracks: Run My Mouth (if I had to pick one)
Rating: Excellent
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