“Joyride” is an album that has been affected by numerous setbacks (The project was first announced in 2015). It was then promised in the balmy months of both 2016 and 2017, with nothing but scattered singles to show for it. It’s been 4 years since Tinashe’s debut album, but it still seems like she’s a new artist in the industry. With this album, Tinashe needs to satisfy impatient fans and meet her own high expectations.
TOP 5
5. STUCK WITH ME
‘Stuck With Me’ is one of the best songs on this album. It presents an electronic sound that proves Tinashe can deliver good choruses. Little Dragon’s vocals sound weird, but it does add an interesting flavor to this song. Sometimes, weird is beautiful (i.e. SZA’s dress code).
It’s really good to see Tinashe switch things up with her style.
4. SALT
Everything about ‘Salt’ makes it an outstanding, soulful song with lyrics and instrumentations that hit the soul. It also has a sound that might be mixed up with those used in private strip clubs. However, her lyrics focus on something much deeper than that.
3. FIRE & FLAMES
‘Fire and Flames’ is a fusion of high-quality vocal dexterity and soft piano keys. The chorus is captivating, and her lyrics are touchy. Listening to her voice on this track will certainly evoke fire and flames of emotions you never knew you had.
2. JOYRIDE
There are so many elements that make this song interesting — Tinashe’s vocals, the chorus, her lyrics and the beat. Together, it’s like a cereal with every ingredient needed to make you want seconds.
1. NO DRAMA
Prior to this song, it would be hard to imagine Tinashe and Offset would create a sound as excellent as this.
When it comes to smash mouth pop music, Tinashe might reign supreme! She has always had this knack for swagging out a song, never showing fear to be the one brash individual in the room. On “No Drama,” she’s cooler than ever, riding the menacing beat tremendously!
Offset drops a very solid verse, effortlessly dropping bars about women, money & SMASH SMASH! His part compliments the song perfectly!
How bout we make Tinashe the fourth member of Migos? She can be the bando’s version of Fergie!
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. KEEP YOUR EYES INTO ME (intro) (3/5)
2. JOYRIDE (4/5)
3. NO DRAMA (5/5)
4. HE DON’T WANT IT (1.5/5)
5. OOH LA LA (2.5/5)
6. ME SO BAD (2.9/5)
7. AIN’T GOOD FOR YA (2.5/5)
8. STUCK WITH ME (5/5)
9. GO EASY ON ME (3.8/5)
10. SALT (4/5/5)
11. FADED LOVE (3.5/5)
12. NO CONTEST (4/5)
13. FIRE & FLAMES (5/5)
OVERALL RATING
(7/10)
Joyride’ features some extraordinary elements. The synthesis of her vocals and the production is the most outstanding feature on this LP. Tinashe introduces different sounds and tries to blend them with the R&B sound that she brings to the table. That risk created poor choruses, boring verses and a waste of some great beats. However that risk has also created soulful, captivating and entertaining songs.
