Review Summary: Meeting the old-school with the new.
Amidst the smoke-screen R&B extraordinaire Jhene Aiko and one of Detroit’s finest rappers Big Sean have stealthed upon over the last year, the shadowing of a surprise collaborative project in place felt eventually would be more reality than pipe-dream. Having flexing their musical muscles in the last two Big Sean compilations, the up and comings of their chemistry seemed firm enough to eventually join up as a gauging hip-hop duo. Combining the fact that they were both 28, along from being born in 1988, the name was christened to be TWENTY88 - releasing a lustrous confection that yields to, with the surprise of the masses in place, their sensual chemistry. Lavished with a nostalgic, vintage 90s-like R&B presence that speaks futuristic volumes in place with some groovy aesthetics, this is a venture outside both Big Sean and Aiko’s usual takes that doesn’t just work, it makes you believe an actual relationship within them is in the works.
Unlocking the vault, you’re instantly immersed inside an atmosphere that breaks with romantic vibes and expressed outtakes on their partnership. Match up the grimy, blastful lyricism that’s per the usual from Detroit’s finest, with colorful, intimate vocals from Aiko - and you get yourself a duo flashing with a virtuous bond significant all throughout the compilation. It’s toned-down, aquarius entrance with “Deja Vu” is an sample of what is to come, layered with glossy, dreamy synth lines paired with dark-esque, woozy bass emphasizing on their building chemistry that gradually strengthens, and of the past. Following the concept of the molten path of a relationship, Big Sean concretes on how quick time has past since he was with actress Naya Rivera, whilst Jhene goes about how she hasn’t taken dating men seriously. It sets the foundation that keeps brewing with them. The culmination of this languishes where both of them hope they never leave each other, as it is not even a considerable option. It resonates further on with melodic, sparkling stories such as the piercing “Selfish”, packed with iconic deep bass and a sun-lathed, melodic guitar that yearns summer-esque vibes over the selfishness in people in relationships. The bright, urban presence is a high positive for the compilation, symbolizing the mood that is conveyed in each and every track.
Intensity flourishes on and off in the glowing, futuristic compositions, creating this vibrance where the bond between both artists feel natural and real, not forced. In its most sexual form, the fast-paced, smoky “Two Minute Warning” linger off of the desires that bling in a relationship, with some assistance from K-Ci and Jojo of Tupac fame. Brimming with morning calm, sparkling synth lines that move to the creamy, emotive vocals that are installed from Aiko - it truly fixates how tight and close they have become. It gives the conceptual relationship existent within true meaning, and the surprising belief that it could be more than just business with Big Sean and Jhene. The rumors that arise from that delivers the sense of its believability, which is what makes their flowing chemistry so real and gripping to hear vocally.
The mural plastered upon TWENTY88’s canvas is a grandiose, elegant kaleidoscope focused into lust, pleasure, and craziness. The beaming hues encased in its vibrance with the sheer, true bond placed with Sean and Aiko makes for an graceful piece of work that lives to better than the hype and surprise that came prior. Taking a rather generic and dated idea, and wrapping it around into robotic, marble R&B dilutes the flourishing ideas brought upon - never sticking off path but keeping itself boundless with its seduction and craving desires. Whilst the artists have created a mirror image of each other that is emulated throughout the lustful compilation, to be conceived more as fantasy than reality, it feels absolutely the polar opposite which makes it the more believable. Whether it is or not remains to be seen, however by venturing out of both their grimy, boisterous sounds they've found themselves flinging with a distinctive, silky formula they can call their own - also to symbolize their pact always and constant. Whether an actual relationship is brewing in the air, which by both have responded playfully on a date or two, remains to be seen - but they for sure make it real and natural than forced, a tangy cocktail to divulge upon and consume.
