Once again, I have to put out a PSA to all my friends who are lovers of R&B music. If you don’t know this artist and have not heard this album especially, stop what you’re doing, go get this in your playlist, your iTunes, or however you do music. Snoh Aalegra is a R&B singer from Sweden who was mentored by Prince, and also has worked with John Mayer, Sia, and Logic, just to name a few. From top to bottom, “Ugh, Those Feels Again” is a modern R&B classic (Grammys, what happened?). Although not as jazz or hip hop influenced as the first album “FEELS”, Snoh refines the quality of her work by telling a full length story about falling in and out of love over the course of 14 tracks. There’s gospel choir moments on here, there’s light and tasteful hip hop and electronic production. There are soul searching passionate ballads on here. And her vocal performances are top notch. She often reminds of Alicia Keys when she first came onto the scene. Snoh’s music is very informed by contemporary black music, but her songs give off a feel of the blues from the past...literally the definition of R&B.
“Nothing To Me” is the low-key banger of the record, where Snoh is fed up with her lover not treating her the way she feels she deserves, and done with the mind games. She puts an end to the vicious cycle of on again, off again nonsense by dismissing her lover’s attempts at rekindling the relationship as meaningless. There comes a point in a relationship that has broken down where there is nothing else you can do but move on, and find what works for you in someone else. This song is about celebrating your own freedom and agency post breakup, and it sounds fun! I love the bouncy hip hop production and how smooth and clear her voice sounds over it. The “that ain’t it” pre hook is a fun call and response bit. It’s a great track that I could see living on the radio if it was given a chance. Anyway, this album is great. Have a listen, why don’t ya?!
