Singer Mahalia has released her highly-anticipated debut album Love and Compromise and does not disappoint.
The project encompasses all the elements fans have grown to love about the singer and really showcases her talents. Throughout the album, the tracks transition effortlessly through a variety of sounds. Whilst the nod to her influences is apparent, Mahalia’s sound is firmly her own. She very effectively communicates who she is in this body of work.
Speaking on the highs and lows of relationships, hurt, love and womanhood, each track is articulately expressed in a very relatable fashion. Track one, “Hide Out”, starts with a soundbite from an iconic Eartha Kitt interview which lends itself to the theme of the album in a poignant way and somewhat sets the tone.
The production and beat selection fuses brilliantly and makes for a great listening experience. Chronologically, the album plays like a playlist, with enough consistency and variety to keep the listener engaged from start to end. A mixture of neo-soul, 90s R&B, alternative R&B and some 80s influences can all be heard in the songs.
“What You Did” featuring Ella Mai, is prominent as it samples Cam’rons classic “Oh Boy”, this track has a rich history within the culture. The original sample was taken from Rose Royce’s “I’m Going Down” which was famously covered by Mary J Blige. The placement of this track on the album is a perfect homage to a piece of musical history, which Mahalia and Ella Mai bring right into the present day, using very modern writing styles and melodies.
This 13-track project, with features from Terrace Martin, Lucky Daye, Hamzaa and Ella Mai, is not only a well thought through piece of work, but also beautifully executed.
Love and Compromise is available to stream and download on all major digital outlets.