Maps of Music

Souled Out (2014)

Where the lyrics of Souled Out take you, and where it was really made.

Aiko's first planned debut album was shelved, and this record arrived only after a hiatus that began when she left Epic Records.

Key places

Recording studio: 4220 (Hollywood) (2014)

Recording site The Music Grinder (Hollywood) — The album's recording studio is listed as 4220 in Hollywood. The point uses city-centre coordinates, so the exact building is not shown. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recording studio: Fisticuffs Gym, Culver City (2014)

Recording site Cocoa-Butt — Fisticuffs Gym in Culver City is listed as a recording studio for the album. The point uses city-centre coordinates, so the exact building is not shown. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Souled Out: debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Jhené Aiko
• Released September 9, 2014 by ArtClub International, ARTium Recordings, and Def Jam Recordings
• Alternative R&B album mixing psychedelic music, R&B, neo soul, hip hop, and electronica
• Concept album about a woman's heartbreak before she becomes enlightened
• Lyrics revolve around relationships, life lessons, philosophies and truths
• Aiko served as executive producer and wrote the lyrics; four key producers contributed
• Songs are loosely structured, with electronic guitar sounds, synths, drums and atmospheric noises

Background

• After leaving Epic Records in 2003, Aiko took a hiatus from her music career
• Her planned debut album, then titled My Name Is Jhené, was never released due to tension at Epic
• Returned in 2011 with the debut mixtape Sailing Soul(s)
• In 2012 met No I.D., who signed her to his ARTium Recordings imprint through Def Jam
• Debut EP Sail Out (2013) released to bridge the gap between the mixtape and the album

Recording

• Aiko worked on the album daily, either recording or writing
• Set up workshops with producers to discuss songs and build a cohesive sound
• Freestyled melodies until words came, keeping little written down
• 'Spotless Mind' written in 45 minutes on GarageBand while touring with Lauryn Hill and Nas

Cover

• Artwork released August 5, 2014
• Features Aiko between water and sky as her soul rises upwards

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo, born March 16, 1988, in Los Angeles, California.
• Began her career in 2002 as a backing vocalist and music video performer for the R&B group B2K.
• Signed to The Ultimate Group, where she was marketed as the "cousin" of B2K member Lil' Fizz, although they are not related.
• Her debut album planned for 2003 was shelved; she left the labels to continue her education.

Career

• Returned to music in 2011 with the mixtape Sailing Soul(s).
• Signed to No I.D.'s ARTium Recordings, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings, in December 2011.
• Gained mainstream recognition through her guest vocal on Big Sean's 2013 single "Beware", her first Billboard Hot 100 entry.
• Released the EP Sail Out in 2013; "The Worst" received quintuple platinum certification from the RIAA.
• Studio albums Souled Out (2014), Trip (2017) and Chilombo (2020) met with critical and commercial success.
• Chilombo peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and earned three Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year.
• Founded the imprint Allel Sound with Def Jam in 2022.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Metacritic: average score 76 from 10 reviews, generally positive
• Entertainment Weekly (Kyle Anderson): found it more pop-friendly than the debut EP Sail Out
• Pitchfork (Craig Jenkins): said it capably brings out Aiko's strengths and covers her faults
• Billboard (Brad Wete): called it music to overthink with and a soundtrack for hard times
• XXL (Erin Lowers): called Aiko and the album a breath of fresh air
• Now (Julia Leconte): mixed review, wanting more variety beyond the one rap feature
• AllMusic (Andy Kellman): praised the introspective themes but found the lyrics at times platitudinal
• Complex: placed it 18th on its Most Anticipated Albums of 2014 list before release

Reappraisal

• The Guardian: placed it 19th on its best albums of 2014 list
• HuffPost: listed it among the most overlooked albums of 2014
• Artistdirect (Rick Florino): named it one of 2014's best albums

Records

• US Billboard 200 debut at number three with 70,000 copies in its first week
• First-week sales doubled those of the debut EP Sail Out; Aiko's second US top-ten debut
• Debuted at number one on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart
• Second week: number 15 on the chart, 20,000 more copies, two-week total 90,000
• As of October 29, 2015: 125,000 copies sold in the US
• November 30, 2020: RIAA gold certification for over 500,000 units in combined sales and album-equivalent units in the US

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• 'Eternal Sunshine' and 'Spotless Mind' were inspired by the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
• 'Spotless Mind' was the easiest song for Aiko to write, done in 45 minutes during a tour with Lauryn Hill and Nas
• 'Promises' features her daughter Namiko performing part of the hook, with a backdrop by Norwegian duo Röyksopp
• 'Pretty Bird' features Common, their second collaboration after 'Black Majik' from his 2014 album Nobody's Smiling
• The U.S. Target exclusive edition adds 'Beautiful Ruin' and an acoustic version of 'You vs. Them'
• 'Blue Dream' was first released in March 2014 as 'My Afternoon Dream' before getting new production from No I.D.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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