JP4: The only good thing to come out of 2020
Junglepussy’s (Shayna McHayle) newest album “Jp4” dropped October 23 and showcased a somehow even more confident McHayle who pushes the boundaries of R&B. There is no such thing as a genre on this album, as McHayle delivers raps over rock and both electronic and piano instrumentals… just to name a few.
The album opens with “Bad News,” which is a song backed by a striking guitar, letting the listener know that they’re in for a ride. McHayle welcomes listeners with lush vocals reminding us – for lack of better wording – she is not to be f*cked with.
Listeners see McHayle’s swagger peak on her track “Telepathy,” in which she raps over electronic whirring instrumentals.
“I’m my own snack, why you brought me to the store?/ You wanna buy me what it is you think I want/ He purchasin’ the sun the moon the stars,” McHayle flaunts.
Well aware of her self-worth, this is just one of the empowering anthems she provides on her album.
Instrumentally, she completely switches gears on the track “Stamina.” McHayle dives into another rap over instrumentals that are essentially just violins. The bare instrumentals are an inventive way to highlight her flow.
Despite each track having its own unique sound, this song somehow still managed to surprise in the best way possible. It might be because I’m a sucker for strings, but the juxtaposition of the haunting strings as a backdrop to McHayle’s verse about her sexual prowess is the unexpected song I had no idea I needed to hear… and is about the only good thing to come out of 2020.
McHayle switches up her flow often on this album, providing a refreshing sound for each track. No song is alike and listeners can switch back and forth between self-assured raps and vocals that go down easy. There is never a moment of boredom. Just when you think you know what direction a track is going, something out of left field – that completely works – blends right in.
The production on this album is phenomenally done, too. Each track’s instrumentals are completely different, and yet, the album is still cohesive thanks to McHayle’s bravado that shines through in her words.
The album can be summed up with a lyric from a standout track “Out My Window,” in which McHayle raps “This remind me of the time I realized I’m that b*tch/ It was a beautiful day birds was chirpin’ and shit.”
Junglepussy proves to be at the top of her game with this set, each track being well thought out, thus making this album incredibly worth all praise.
Notable Tracks: Spiders, Out My Window, Stamina, Bad News (quite frankly, you can’t go wrong with any of them)
