REVIEW: Princess Nokia's "i love you but this is goodbye" via Sony


Disclaimer: The following is a re-post from earlier this year. This review was originally posted alongside three others but, in the time, since posting those reviews allegations of sexual assault have emerged about a musician, I gave a lot of praise to. I ask that you always believe victims and give your support to artists who work hard and manage to maintain being an unharmful person.

Princess Nokia is a NY based rapper whose output I’ve been aware of but not very in tune to up to this point. Aside from the occasional feature I’ve never actually heard a project or single but on i love you she celebrates, not mourns, a love past. No disdain, no remorse, just keeping in mind the light given during a time past and the freedom that comes after it. To me, in my life right now, this is catharsis.

I wrote you this album for my closure.


In the grand scheme of their presentation these songs do just work. They’re a grand and inviting celebration; “complicated” keeps up on the momentum that the title track kicks off with a fun pop song that starts a gradual shift in the record’s sonic presentation. There’s a clear change from pop to hip hop that comes slowly, inches closer and closer like the inevitable end to “happy;” a beautiful closer that dares the listener to take pride in themselves, take pride in what brings them joy independent of anyone else. The Gorillaz reference, the huge hook and the sound of the crowd going wild makes you feel like you’re at the center of an award show.


I think the only thing I don’t “enjoy” about this record is the voicemails and private conversations. It’s not that I don’t appreciate sharing moments of vulnerability that were born out of the time that inspired the songs themselves, it’s more so that in my experience many genres are moving away from that because of the fact that it’s becoming a comedic cliche. That and from what I’ve learned running this blog, sometimes it's better to hold those things to yourself and let them fuel the art as opposed to showing the hand of it.


Our rating - 7/10

  1. closure
  2. complicated
  3. the fool
  4. lo siento
  5. angels & demons
  6. thank you
  7. happy

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Best of Month: The top 25 songs of the year

Hi, it’s me, it’s Claudia, and today I’m going to do something I haven’t done yet. So every year I do the top ten singles of the year, but I don’t actually even listen to singles anymore. Unless I know they’re going to be singles, like on their own, otherwise I feel like they’re spoiling the record for me. This year I thought it’d be fun to broadcast my top twenty-five songs of the year because I do this every year for friends, mainly myself, but now it can be content. So, this won’t be a highly produced blog post and instead be very casual but hopefully you’ll get something out of it. If you’re coming from Reddit read the link below before leaving any comments for me on here or Reddit itself and let’s get started. Also, quick note. Some of these did not come out this year but are on records released this year. In those cases, assume I haven't heard the track till this year. Coming from Reddit? Start here! #25 “Glow in the Dark” by Mothica is from Rocksmith+ but it's also just
Read more

Best of Month; the Top 10 Albums of 2023

Image
2023 has come to a close and it was a lot to unpack. After relocating last year I had to figure out what to do next, admittedly a scarier process than moving itself. I’ve settled in now, changes have gone on, there were a lot of hard times and a lot of great memories made throughout the year. You may have noticed, if you’re a long-time reader, I was far less open about my own personal life in my reviews. If you’re new and this is your first year here, then hey you never knew this part of the blog. In these blurbs there are personal anecdotes, but they are far less revealing. Regardless, thank you for even clicking here. This year for my own writing was possibly the best yet. I reviewed more albums in one year than ever before and worked with ten artists to promote their stuff before the release date. If all the stars align there’s one more thing coming out this year. I hope you had a great year yourself, are having a relaxing holiday season and enjoy this recap of albums. Please suppor
Read more

Best of Month: The final reviews of the year

Image
Best of Month! We wrote so many reviews this year there were a ton leftover. So, to open the year end stuff this year, we're emptying the vault. There are a few pre-requisites for reading this year (but only if you came from Reddit) So look for that below. From Reddit? Start here! Rat Jesu - Prepared to Die (Drixxo Lords) I have been a pretty public cybergrind defender on the timeline, but in all honesty I haven’t dug into the genre on my own time. I’m not sure if you would consider Rat Jesu cybergrind but they’re definitely part of the movement, in fact I came to this record by following this artist from a feature on the newest Blind Equation. As I said above, Prepared to Die isn’t so much cybergrind but it is a neat, quick nu metal record with hyperpop influence. James from Blind Equation does show up as a feature and the song he’s on is a hit regardless of genre. My favorite track on the record, however, has got to be “Priestess of the Godless Valley,” There are two other featur
Read more