- If there’s one thing that became clear after video was published of Lizzo twerking and playing the flute on tour, it’s that she won’t be confined to one trick. The artist’s second full-length album begins as she intends to continue it. “I’m crying ‘cause I love you”, she belts before a big brass fill, which mimics the drop of red velvet curtains, unveiling the spectacle to follow.
The next ten tracks take cues from Prince, Pharrell and Janelle Monae, among others, proving a successful hip-hop album doesn’t necessarily need to stick to one style. I’m reminded of Cardi B’s genre-melding Invasion of Privacy, which Lizzo matches in braggadocio. On Like a Girl, she sings that she “woke up feelin’ like I just might run for President”, and I believe it. And on Tempo, she meets Missy Elliot toe-to-toe over an early-oughts club beat that calls you to the dancefloor, and will probably get you to drop it low, not matter how ill-advisedly. Missy’s feature feels like more than embellishment because Lizzo has the same appreciation for bending lyrical boundaries and playing with words.
Juice has already cemented itself as a permanent summer anthem. The funky, elastic pump-up track has the same energy as a Bruno Mars hit, inviting listeners to embrace their inner shine, no matter where they’re listening.
Downtempo, old-school ballad Jerome, and the album’s closer, Lingerie both lend some much-needed stillness to the banger-dense record. Reminiscent of Beyonce’s Superpower, the rolling melody behind the former creates a bed which builds with Lizzo’s voice as she sketches a failed modern romance, thanks to Jerome, who couldn’t learn to adult.
Better In Colour stood out as the sleeper centrepiece of Cuz I Love You. Lizzo’s honey-sweet celebration of all genders, ethnicities, body sizes rings sincere, as does her elated hook: “You can be my lover / ‘Cause love looks better in colour”.
In short, Lizzo makes music that somehow extends the buzz of a long weekend. If you need a little extra sunshine in your music library, there’s lots of it peeking out from Cuz I Love You.
- Aleisha McLaren.