#MUZEMONDAZE: Week 13
By Contributor Tre Florez
1. Jhene Aiko - "OLLA (Only Lovers Left Alive) [feat. TWENTY88]"
​R&B singer Jhene Aiko, released her much anticipated third studio album, Trip. coming as a big surprise for fans. The full album dropped just one day after she released the short film under the same title. The film itself complements the album, about a love and loss drama. It speaks on relationship interferences, ones that can be devastating to a couple. Watch the film here:
Aiko co-wrote the film (coming as a first for the singer), as well as authoring a majority of the new album. Songs from Trip have differing sounds throughout, but the one that stood out most at first listen, was OLLA (Only Lovers Left Alive). The sound is light and transic, with a moderate to heavy kick drum beat and light piano in the background, giving it a slightly funky 80's element. The lyrics tell of a new and loving relationship; when it can feel like you and that person are the only people on Earth that matter.
"It's the fate we created in our mind, mind
If we stay, will we hate it?
We're the only lovers left alive"
Aiko sings two verses and then (her other half complementing the duet TWENTY88), features long term collaborator Big Sean. Sean raps last, giving the song a little more oomph. The track ends with an announcer letting everyone know that it is "couples skate time" and asks singles to leave the floor. Aiko then sings the chorus and bridge once more. The song is almost 6 minutes long, but you would not know it, because the progression is easy to get lost in. Listen to the catchiness and smooth demeanor of the track.
​Other notable tracks from Trip include: Moments (feat. Big Sean), Ascension (feat. Brandy), and Lsd.
2. DJ Snake - "A Different Way (feat. Lauv)"
This Caribbean influenced love song, is the newest release from DJ Snake since his debut album, Encore, back in 2016. The French DJ brings forth the single A Different Way, with help from San Francisco native artist, Lauv. Lauv sings the lyrics on the track, which are co-written by both he and Ed Sheeran. DJ Snake provides the steel drum and piano mix throughout the verses; breaking down the track after the chorus is sung. The single is well written from the Lauv's perspective; he is dating a person that has recently experienced a heartbreak and is willing to show them love again.
"I will come running when you call my name
Even a broken heart can beat again
Forget about the one who caused you pain
I swear I'll love you in a different way"
Not a far step away from his last widely taken single, Let Me Love You featuring Justin Bieber. A Different Way is still – well done, just slightly in a different way. As a major EDM fan, we hope that we can expect to hear more of the heavy bass drops: like Propaganda from the last album.
3. Kali Uchis "Nuestro Planeta (feat. Reykon)"
Translated to "Our Planet", Cuban-American singer Kali Uchis released a new single, "Nuestro Planeta", completely in Spanish. The song features Colombian Reggaeton artist Reykon: casting a fresh and soft Latin feel to listeners. Alongside an island inspired metal drum and an easy-to-salsa-to beat, this is a track you can imagine playing in a beach cabana or even a Latin nightclub. Uchis' voice is very sultry and lays over the beat seamlessly.
The lyrics are soulful – about a past love and how they had their own planet – but now that love has ended. The first verse is quite sad; noting how the love is dying.
"I get close, my everything trembles
Now I have the certainty
That I haven't loss the want to
Wake up with you in the mornings
But I'm going looking for your gaze
And your eyes, baby, don't tell me anything."
The chorus is where she invites the former lover to come over for one last night on their planet,
"Hello, you remember me?
I was the one you wanted so much
Give me this entire night
To be only you and me (here in our planet, here in our planet)
Only you and me (here in our planet, here in our planet)"
Reykon's rap verse is about, how he wishes they could escape to their planet as well. He wants to keep out other influences, like friends that have negatively affected the relationship. The collaborative narrative is a another great push for Kali into the world of Latin pop, as her second full-Spanish single following Tirano (the Spanish translation of her hit Tyrant). With a large underground following – thanks to her work with Tyler the Creator and added fuel from her feature on the Daniel Caesar single, Get You – this single will help her put down even deeper roots within the gaining latin-pop music scene here in the U.S.
We added the noted tracks below, just in case you missed them in our previous Muze Mondaze coverage:
襤襤襤襤襤 I love Kali
❤️
Jhene Aiko is fire I got mad love 4 her 
I feel like the album has a spiritual element to it