Jhené Aiko has done it again: She dropped a project that has us all in our feelings. After not releasing an album in six years, Westside Whimsy offers the healing fans have been missing. Across 20 tracks, she tells a personal story of a woman going through heartbreak and coming out stronger than ever.
The Art of Detachment
Jhené sets the tone for the album and lets it be known that she is indestructible on “Wild Cats.” The intro sounds like an old-school 1940s recording and goes on to say that she’s “emotionally detaching.” She then explains that her detachment is what happens when you’re raised by an Aquarian woman who’s married to a Sag, and she’s unhinged like her dad. Jhené lets it be known that she’s not to be played with, ending the intro by saying, “If you decide to cross the line, it won’t be safe, ’cause I was raised in a pack of wild cats who couldn’t be tamed.”
As we transition to “Ghost,” the theme of letting go of emotional pain stays. On that track, Jhené feels lost, runs away from her problems, and doesn’t recognize herself. She also does some self-reflection, saying, “I got a vision for myself, I gotta get it for myself, I gotta listen to myself, in competition with myself. This is between me and myself. I don’t need help, I need myself. I take my L’s all by myself. Nobody else, it’s just myself. I gotta handle it myself. I been mishandling myself.” This honesty and self-criticism are what make this album so moving and encourage listeners to do the same.
Jhené continues to keep the vibe of disconnecting from relationships that no longer serve her. On “Nothing Nice to Say,” she’s fed up with a lying partner to the point where she has to let it fade away. She even says, “Only God can save you. I don’t think I can change you.” Then, on “He Belongs,” she sings, “Can’t turn a fling into a real thing, can’t turn a promise to a wedding ring, can’t turn a hoe into a husband.” She went in so hard on this song that fans thought she was talking about her ex, Big Sean, but she later confirmed that it wasn’t about him. Another track, “Lullaby,” which sounds like the title describes, acknowledges that love hurts. She would rather close her eyes than leave her person, but at the same time, she says, “I love you, goodbye.”
Reconstructing Self-Love in Westside Whimsy
After all the betrayal she endured and described on the first half of the album, Jhené pours all the love she gave to someone else back into herself. On “Like, Whatever,” she makes it clear that she is coming out of her dark times and is now enjoying herself, singing, “I don’t see no haters in sight. I’m just celebrating my life. If you don’t love me, get the fuck away from me.”
Then there’s the track “So Good,” featuring Kendrick Lamar, where you get a chance to hype up your face card and body. Both Jhené and Kendrick sound so good together, and when they sing, “You look so good,” it feels like they are talking to you personally as you look in the mirror.
On “A Living Light” (my personal fave), Jhené finally recognizes who she is and uplifts herself. She calmly sings, “Through the day I try to remember who I am. A living light (light), a dying star (star), the everlasting (lasting), Word of God (God).” Basically, she fully reconnected with herself, and she’s growing and evolving every day. If that is not self-love talk, I don’t know what is.
Lastly, she ends the album with “Golden Coast.” She’s speaking directly to the listener, speaking life into them and offering reminders: “Angels still get lost from time to time. Shining through your darkest nights, you still got a lot of light. You’re still a classic, magic every time. Girl, you know you still got it.” Those are affirmations that I’m definitely using!
Why You Should Listen to Westside Whimsy
If you haven’t listened to Westside Whimsy (if you’re a fan, I bet you already have), then you’re missing out on some good storytelling. The way you get to hear Jhené do some deep shadow work on herself and her relationships is very immersive and inspiring. She acknowledges that she isn’t perfect, but she’s definitely going to learn her lessons. The lessons that she shares make the album relatable and might make you reflect on your relationship choices, too. Also, this project is far from sad; it’s just honest. You would most definitely walk away from this album feeling seen if you’re dealing with heartbreak or trying to find yourself after painful moments in life.
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