Writers: CEELO, Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: Kingston Callaway
Setting the tone for the rest of the record, 'Let Go' samples the sweet melody from The Wiz. The production on the opening track is very ethereal, as she goes through a period of deep self reflection and correction. The vocal layering and harmonies are hauntingly gorgeous. Blends perfectly into 'I Can See The Future.' Rating: 3/5
Writers: Derick Milano, Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: Troy, IIInfinite
Tinashe uses minimalist produced trap beat, as she glides seamlessly in between rapping her verses to serving melodic vocal riffs. The chorus falls a bit flat, as she addresses the haters and foreseeing what lies ahead in her relationship. But for the most part, the bassy song does what it needed to do. Rating: 2/5
Writers: Drew Love, Jeremy Felton, Tinashe Kachnigwe | Producers: Hitmaka, Crishan, Mari Beatz
With its trippy production, Nintendo-style synths, and an ass-shaking bassline, X serves as the most instant song on the album. There's a real abundance of sexual energy, and Jeremih's flirty verses work well over the nasty beat. An absolute party banger. Rating: 5/5
Writers: Liv Miraldi, Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: dwilly
Drum and bass beat mixed with Mario Kart energy vibes makes this one rather interesting. Simply an introduction, hence why it was given the interlude treatment. Maybe she's set to explore this sound further in the future? If so, that's a hard pass. Rating: 1/5
Writers: dwilly, Jade Mckenzie, Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: Alex Lustig
The bleepy production walks between mainstream R&B and dance-pop music, and she's sweating out her edges at the club with animated vigor. While climbing into an ethereal falsetto, her lines are mirrored by a distorted bass vocoder. Packs enough punch to make any gym phobic person want to shake ass on a trampoline. Insanely upbeat, infectious and fun! Rating: 3.5/5
Writers: Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: KAYTRANADA
This serves as two separate songs combined into one track, as she touches on unconditional love coming with a price. Stacked with smooth melodies and sweet harmonies, the second half is stronger (in my opinion). It's mellifluously soulful and could easily have been a stand-alone track. The way it flows right into Angels is seamless! Rating: 3.5/5
Writers: Elijah Ross, Tinashe Kachnigwe | Producers: Nxghts, Neenyo, Sean Momberger, Lee Major
This moody ballad about unbreakable bonds is a vibe, and Kaash's vocals fit perfectly well with Tinashe's over the subtle, atmospheric production. Overall, the song has potential but never quite reaches its momentum. Rating: 3/5
Writers: Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: Abby Keene, John Hill, Blanda
Layered title track started out with so much potential. Tinashe's fluttery high notes throughout the song were a highlight. Distorted hymns that drift through the song become repetitive real quick. So many sounds were combined, including a rather cringe orchestral section. How many beat transitions does one song need? Jesus! Rating: 2/5
9. Undo (Back to My Heart) ♫♫ Writers: Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: Wax Motif, Ely Rise
Synth pop ballad about whether a flawed relationship can be fixed, and allows Tinashe to showcase her vocal ability. Probably the most radio friendly song on '333,' drawing similarities to 'Save Room For Us' and 'Perfect Crime.' Consistently good! Rating 4/5
Writers: Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: Sam Sparro
More heartbreak and sadness is shed over brooding production, that's assisted by little synth flourishes, an emotive vocal performance and smooth harmonies. Another album standout. Rating: 4/5
Writers: Chris Wallace, Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: Tido
This guitar-welded weepy ballad brings to mind the time a heartbroken Tinashe found consolidation in a bottle and was drinking after her breakup with Ben Simmons. Though the post-chorus of 'Last Call' consists of some really pretty melodies, the song itself is in deed very forgettable. Rating: 2.5/5
Writers: Abby Keene, Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: Stargate
This melodramatic pop ballad is so full of 80s flair, assisted by lots of stacked vocals and harmonies. Packed with well-marked kick drums and understated electric guitars, the Stargate produced cut is very different territory for Tinashe. It's a little too adventurous for my tastes, but Tinashe serves up a very rich vocal delivery. Rating: 2.5/5
Writers: Oliver Malcolm, Tinashe Kachingwe, Todd Pritchard | Producers: Todd Pritchard, Big Kidd
Not even a sample of Outkast’s 'Hey Ya' makes 'Pasadena' worthy enough to be lead single material. When listening to other songs on the album that are much stronger in comparison... it's actually quite baffling. But with its breezy hooks, and summery vibes, it's easy to see why she chose it. Rating: 2/5
Writers: Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: Kito, Jonas Karlsson, Christian Blue
This one is practically a mish-mash of genres spurred by multiple song transitions, while she laments on the loss of time. It's R&B, it's funk, it's soul, and you can even add rap in there too. It's vibey up until the second beat change. Rating: 3/5
Writers: dwilly, Jade Mckenzie, Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: Alex Lustig
Bouncin' Part 2? Such a waste of space. The track is basically just a reverbed and slowed down version of part one with some nagging trickling in its production. Her high vocals and adlibs towards the end are quite exquisite though. Rating: 2/5
Writers: Kudzai, Thulani, Tinashe Kachingwe | Producers: Beat Billionaire, Da Boom Squad
Tinashe invites her two younger brothers Quiet Child and Kudzai to grace the track with their vocal talents. One is doing the verses, while the other on background. The way Kudzai's (?) background vocals on the chorus glides over the dreamy production is simply delicious. Her brothers were nice additions to the song. Overall, this was a cute little album closer. Rating: 3/5
'333' is most likely the most eclectic project she's ever done. It's a lot more experimental than previous efforts. The project has elements of R&B, but it can not be classified as an R&B album. There could have been more variation in lyricism, but at least the transitions between songs were tight, clean and immaculate. 'Songs For You' on the other hand, was more instant, in my opinion. While I did enjoy a majority of the project (some songs I didn't care for), I would not rank it as her best album to date. Rating: 3/5
Yea I give it a 3.5 and Pasadena grew on me a lot the album is dope and it’s def a grower! I like she can’t be boxed she reminds me of Kelis sonically
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are doing album reviews again. They were always my favorite when I first started coming to this site, and I love how detailed you are 😁 I like the album a lot. Not as much as Songs For You but the creativity and versatility is still there. My favorites are Bouncing, It’s A Wrap, Small Reminders, and Last Call.
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