Date released: August 9th, 2024 | Artist: Rae Khalil | Album: Crybaby

Album Tracklist:

1. Hot Track (Ft. AA Rashid)
2. Is It Worth It
3. Caprinteria by Rae Khalil & Freddie Gibbs
4. She’s a bore
5. Irreplaceable (Interlude)
6. Come Home by Rae Khalil &Khal!l
7. It Is What It Is by Rae Khalil, Benny Sing, Tiana Major9
8. Crybaby
9. Know You (Ft. Anderson .Paak)
10. Don’t Matter
11. Cisco’s Song
12. Bittersweet by Rae Khalil &Zacari
13. Overcast/Overturn 

Memorable lyric: ” What’s a diamond to a gold mine? Let’s pour a glass up to the old times.” (FATHER, 2020)

Album Review: The album opens with “Hot Track,” and it feels like you’re floating. The string section, piano, and drums complement each other beautifully, creating a soundscape where you can almost feel the dream living inside her. Honestly, I could see this playing on shows like The Chi, Insecure, or Atlanta (if Donald Glover ever brings it back).Some songs just capture those moments of cruising through life in the most romantic way — and that’s exactly how the transition into “Cisco’s Song” feels. It honestly reminds me of the moments in L.A when the sun begins to set and the sky is warm and settling down. The whole album is very colorful to me and paints a vivid picture.

I’m not sure what it would technically be called, but there are certain songs where you can really hear the raw texture of the instruments — especially the drums. For example: Leon Thomas’ “Crash & Burn”, Jay-Z’s “Show Me What You Got” (shoutout to Tony Royster Jr. during that performance with Jay-Z at the Hammerstein Ballroom), Anderson .Paak’s “Put Me Thru”, and Amy Winehouse’s “Halftime”, etc. Rae Khalil’s CRYBABY album has that sound throughout the whole album, and I love it.

You can hear her appreication and influence for music in her sound. On the track “She’s a Bore”, I can hear a bit of an Elton John influence and sound. The Music video for “She’s a Bore” is so beautiful too! Rae Khalil is a musical chameleon and categorize her would be undercutting her. The rest of the album is proof of her talent. “Carpinteria”, which I loved from her first promotional video, was so refreshing and yet nostalgic for me.

Overall, I really enjoyed this album. I’m looking forward to hearing what she creates next and seeing how her musical instincts and influence continue to grow.

Check out Rae Khalil social media & stream “Crybaby”

IG: https://www.instagram.com/raekhalil/

Website: https://www.apeshitinc.com/rae-khalil

[ I do not own or have the copyright for any of the photos]