Why Jhene Aiko's New Album is my #1 Pandemic Playlist
Image Courtesy of Def Jam Records
By: Casey Harding-Brown
Jhene Aiko’s Chilombo
Chilombo is a versatile album you can play when you wake up to start the day on a more elevated note (pun intended), when doing yoga, cruising in the car, or when looking to wind down and get centered before bed. It has the perfect balance of love, sex, turn up, healing, happiness, and sass. Lest I forget to mention the features! H.E.R., John Legend, Nas, Ab-Soul, Future, Miguel, Dr. Chill, and of course, Jhene’s beau, Big Sean, are the equivalent to toppings on a sundae that weren’t necessary for it to taste amazing, but definitely take it next level.
Alchemy, sound bowls and chakras
Jhene Aiko’s music has spoken to me for the last five years or so ever since I hear her album “Sail Out”. The way she combines real, in your face lyrics with her light, rifting, melodic voice has always drawn me in and I was eager to listen to her new album, “Chilombo” when it was released. Well, let me say, it did not disappoint and the timing could not have been better.
Not only did I actually listen and enjoy every song on the album, which is an accomplishment in and of itself, she also used crystal alchemy sound bowls to promote healing through her music. Her intro song “Lotus” along with “Define Me”, “Pussy Fairy (OTW)” use sounds that are associated with the third eye and sacral chakra which are known to be related to wisdom, clarity, sensuality, creativity, and emotion.
“Speak”, “10K hours” and “Summer 2020” include sounds related to the Solar Plexus Chakra which corresponds with personal/will power. “Born Tired” uses the G note to activate the Throat Chakra.” which unsurprisingly is connected to self-expression and communication. “Surrender”, “H.O.E Happiness Over Everything”, and “Love” fittingly incorporate notes that are connected to the heart chakra which is related to love, compassion and relationships.
Her songs “Party for Me” and “Mourning Doves” both use the B note to stimulate the Crown chakra, activating awareness and enlightenment.
Image Courtesy of Def Jam Records
Music and healing
In these times of uncertainty, I find myself grasping at anything to make me feel more
grounded, balanced and happy. I think we all could use a little healing, individually as well as collectively and while simply listening to an album may sound like a far fetched way to achieve that, I disagree. Music in an of itself has healing properties and helps celebrate their brightest memories and commiserate their darkest times and adding these crystal alchemy sound bowls takes this healing up a notch. To purchase your own healing sounds bowls, click here. Next time you’re on Spotify, make sure to check out “Chilombo.”
Ever since coming off my hormonal birth control, my monthly pre-period craving has become the world renowned classic, otherwise known as gelato, helado, or ice cream. I’m declaring this a safe space for what I am about to say (or should I say write) next is definitely controversial; Until recently, ice cream was never top of my list. To clarify, I am not a psychopath. If ice cream cake was presented at a birthday party, I would be excited about the upgrade from your standard yellow cake with chocolate frosting. If I found myself in Italy, you bet I was seeking out dulce de leche gelato. My dad routinely ended his night with a generous bowl of some sort of chocolate, coffee, nut combo before falling asleep with his head on my mom’s lap, no later than 9:30pm. It was readily available and normalized as an everyday treat, yet for whatever reason it wasn't my go to. I didn’t have anything against it per say, it just never called to me. Until recently that is. And ever since my hormones came back to their normal selves, I have been a mad woman on the hunt for the best ice cream in Denver.
Yes, yes it may officially be fall but with temperatures hovering in the 80’s all week, I say ice cream season is still in full swing. Also, who doesn’t like ice cream year round? Why should we confine such a delectable dessert to one season?! Plus many places now offer seasonal flavors such as pumpkin chocolate chip. Whatever the weather may be, I hope you enjoy indulging in these woman owned ice cream shops as much as I did.