Like the common saying goes, love is blind. It’s the saying that’s used to encapsulate the vices of someone, prone to let their emotions dictate their actions and succumb to the wrong decisions that never end in a great place, all in the sake of being blind to logic. On everything + NOT ENOUGH, Jamila delves into an airy soulful soundscape to churn out melodies that chronicle phases reminiscent of this struggle.
On Fade Away, the album opener—Jamila wails about the woes of a past failed love and how haunting it is even in the present day. She invokes strong, resonant imagery through poignant writing by comparing the crushing feeling of falling to pieces to paper Mache getting shredded apart in a shower. It’s also pixel clear on the song, that the heartbreak is still quite fresh as she seems to be monitoring her socials for activity from her old flame, which is a common trait of jaded lovers. Instrumentation wise, there isn’t much going on besides rhythmic guitar strings.
On Constantly, we rewind time back to when the relationship was still in play and the cracks had began to appear. Jamila confesses that she does her possible best to keep the relationship flames burning despite sacrificing her sanity and mental health. The impact this toll takes on her is so debilitating that she admits, “I need some time to, clear out my mind, to heal these old wounds.” Subtle saxophone riffs permeate through a prominent, growling guitar baseline and Jamila does little fo exert her vocals and her sultry vocals maintain the same uniformity.
Perhaps, that’s this writer’s sole qualm with the project in general. For an EP that tackles topics like heartbreak, loss and grief—the vocal performance rarely comes close to conveying derelict or nuclear emotions. On Winter In Tokyo, the same symptoms persist. The topical progression is still tight knit as she’s now singing from a place of helplessness, after confessing she’d do anything for her lover—on the previous track—and whilst the song in general is as soulful as the other tracks, her vocal performance just doesn’t do much in convincing you she’s as heartbroken as she says she is.
When we get to Black & Blue though, Jamila is still jaded but her tolerance has been worn thing and her weariness is beginning to show. “Now let me say what i need to say” she sings, before venting and calling our her lover on his baggage and resigning from making excuses for him. It’s not yet established that she’s totally moved on, but it’s clear that said journey has commenced.
On Kai Ne Nawa (remix), she’s taking a trip further into the past to the moment she’s initially starry-eyed, likening her being smitten and being glued to her lover like the night and the moon. Classiq’s verse on the song is more disruptive than complimentary, but it makes for an overall freshening up of elements on a project that veered too much towards being monotonous.
The final track, Calling is the most upbeat song on the project and it returns to the same wholesome, completing sentiment of love. Jyde brings the perspective of a male love interest that’s willing to compromise and meet her halfway and it makes for the happiest soundscape on the EP, which at that moment works as a much needed breath of fresh air.
All in all, everything + NOT ENOUGH is a good Afro-Soul EP that produces some resonant moments and relatable feelings through its subject matter of topics and evocative writing, but other elements like its less-than-stellar vocal performances and extremely minimalistic production makes it leave a little to be desired. Nonetheless, it’s still a good listening experience.
Final Verdict:
Sonic Cohesion: 1.5/2
Seamless Transitions: 1.3/2
Expansive Production: 0.8/2
Songwriting: 1.3/2
Optimal Tracking Sequencing: 1.3/2
Total: 6.2/10.
This review is written by T.J. Martins, an Album Talks’ writer.
Listen to ‘everything + NOT ENOUGH’ here
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