This starts out pretty much exactly where I figured it would with “Everything To Me”. It’s a very breezy, cool, Pop tune, and honestly, I’m happy with it. I feel like Lorely sounds so sweet, and I love the storytelling aspects to this. Not to mention, some of the dual vocals are really fantastic and really brings back some of the wildly experimental vibes of Empress Of’s debut. Not let’s be real, this isn’t that. That first album right off the bat was just so outside the box, and this is much safer. And honestly, that’s a little disappointing. But for an Alternative R&B tinged Indie Pop track, this is a good start. Now, “Just The Same” is a little more quaint and sweet, and actually pretty steamy at moments. Lorely as far as her vocals go, are right on point. But let’s be real, this is just so faceless at the end of the day. To be perfectly honest, instrumentally this is pretty nauseating. This completely fake Tropical vibe has me literally rummaging looking for some of Drake’s newest material. Like yea, it’s a sweet Pop tune. But none of this has any personality. Then we have “Trust Me Baby”, and I don’t know how to put this lightly but this just doesn’t sound like the same Empress Of that graces us a few years ago. Her vocals are absolutely on point and sweet. But instrumentally this is just so timid. Like, I feel like this is an absolute shell of her debut. Experimentation by this point is completely out the window, this is just bland. Now, I do think some of the Spanish singing is actually really likable and something she could probably do more of. But instrumentally, I just can’t help but have to fight for myself to stay awake. Like, I’m literally by this point pining for Lorely to stay in the basic realm of Indie Pop. That’s what we’ve come to friends. Like, here, I actually really love the swaying synths and her endearing performance. But this is still a far cry from where Lorely was a few years back. But lyrically, this is genuinely sweet and Lorely just comes off so human and innocent. This is a fine Indie Pop tune, but that’s all.
Then we have “I Don’t Even Smoke Weed”, a very smokey Indie Pop tune (no pun intended). I actually really love the very personal side to this album, it’s a great freakin’ touch. And instrumentally, at very least this has a big ol’ groove. But no joke, why am I clinging to all of these so hard? Empress Of’s music used to come so easy to me, but here I am going crazy for little details. Outside of that though, this is very pleasant. I actually love her monotonous performance and the catchy synths. And yea, this is far from this big statement that I was expecting and I’m digging it. The very straightforward synth beats keep hitting one after another with “Timberlands”. Like honestly, this is absolutely bottom of the barrel. In moments like this, I just can’t help but feel like Lorely has just dropped the ball all around. And it’s a shame because her vocals are so sweet and the lyrics once again are so personal. But there is nothing about this instrumental or beat that I couldn’t make for myself in about 5 minutes. This album continues to just be OK at best. But Lorely does start to turn things around with “I’ve Got Love”. This one actually has some really cool moments. Within the instrumental here, I actually feel like I can tell this is a little something different. I love just how soulful these backing vocals are and the sort of dance-influenced sound. Like, it’s nothing too wild, but it’s genuinely snappy and different. Now, “All For Nothing” is actually pretty interesting at points. It has a sort of World flair to it, but it also has a really big beat. I mean, it took a while, but I certainly feel like Lorely is starting to take some risks. I love how wonky some of the instrumentals are, and just how catchy this hook is. Like, this is SO SIMPLE and straightforward, I just wish we got even more of it.
And believe it or not, “When I’m With Him” may just be the most straightforward track of the bunch, dare I say the best song here. It’s got these very funky bass licks right out of the book of Blood Orange, and Lorely just sounds at her most bruised in every way. It ends up being this incredibly personal tune, one that’s catchy and also really thought-provoking. Now, after all of this, this album has still really not offered up that great clash of styles that we once got from Lorely. But if THIS is what we’re getting going forward, it’s not the worst thing. This album ends off with “Again”, and this one has a much more woozy and dreary tone right off the bat. Which honestly, really excited the hell out of me at first. This track has so much potential, And THEN I heard Lorely’s vocals. Her performance here is her sleepiest of the bunch and is just so boring. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever heard her this tame. Even this sleepy instrumental which at first intrigued me just ends up being way too much for me by the end of it.
Rating: 7.3/10
Give A Listen To: “Everything To Me”, “Love For Me”, “I’ve Got Love”, “When I’m With Him”
Least Favorite Track: “Trust Me Baby”
Genre: Indie Pop
Overall Thoughts: Lorely Rodriguez returns after blowing up with an exciting blend of clashing genres and Indie Pop hooks, with a much safer and more low key album. Now, this has it’s pros and it’s cons. Yes, instrumentally this album is often anything but exciting or daring, half of the time I feel like I could have put together some better instrumentals for Lorely. However, with less focus on instrumentals Lorely comes out of her shell more than ever and ends up coming through with her mom personal album to date. Hell, if she can find a medium between this album and her debut, she could seriously create something incredible. However, until then, this is just a slightly above average Indie Pop project.
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