Jhené Aiko Says New LP Sparks Sade Comparisons

Jhené Aiko has her new album Souled Out scheduled for arrival in May, and while staying at a Palm Springs, CA residence recently took the time to sit down with FADER to discuss the project. In the interview, the songstress touched on several subjects and pulled back the curtain on the album’s inner workings. She spoke on the songs that were the “easiest to write” and “most revealing,” as well as producers used on the album and some of the stories shared on the LP. Aiko also touched on how she personally would describe the album’s sound, saying “a lot of people compare it to a younger Sade with urban stories.” She then followed up by expounding on her appreciation for Sade, stating:

“You remember her voice and melodies and her mysterious look. I didn’t really realize I was a big fan of hers until I started doing my mixtape and, when I was trying to find the beats and groove I wanted to be in, I was like, ‘This reminds me of Sade.’ It made me want to go back and listen to her and really see that’s the type of artist I want to be. Not as much in copying her look or sound, but her music is timeless. You can hear any of her songs and you don’t feel like it takes you back, even if it gives you a good nostalgic feeling. You just want to listen to those songs forever.”