Quantum Baby, is the seventh album from Kentucky-born R&B singer, Tinashe. It is also her fourth album to be released independently through her own record label. It’s not always easy being an independent artist, as many independent musicians lack resources for distribution, marketing, merch, touring, and production. However, when you’re a big name artist like Tinashe is, it’s a lot easier however she still has to work hard as an independent artist, and handle on her own a lot of the things that a big record label would handle usually. Still, what I’ve heard from Tinashe, I’ve liked immensely, I grew up with her collaboration with Schoolboy Q, “2 On,” and I really liked the lead single of this record, “Nasty.”

     Like on her previous albums, the production is a major strong point. It’s very low-key and doesn’t distract from Tinashe’s strong vocal performances. “Getting No Sleep,” one of the two singles off of this project, and it has very warm synths and a fast drum rhythm. It’s a track where you can appreciate that she is confident about herself, but also somewhat relatable. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the record, as it’s sexy and a very chill track that I could listen to while I study. “Thirsty,” is another favorite track of mine, it’s raunchy, romantic, and has really cool trap production. It’s also another track that showcases Tinashe’s voice, especially in her first verse. “Red Flags,” is exactly what the title suggests that it’s about, but it’s not a bad thing. The lyrics feel kind of surface-level, so it’s not one of my favorites on the album, but it’s not a terrible track. I do really like the instrumental of the track, though. “Cross That Line,” I do appreciate that while this album is focused mostly on love, the themes are varied. “Cross That Line,” is about how Tinashe doesn’t want to miss out on the chance to be with the love of her life forever, as well as her anxieties about taking that next step, and allowing herself to work through those fears in order to be happy. It’s another one of my favorites. “When I Get You Alone,” is a not so subtle intimate track, but that’s part of the charm. It fits very well within the grand scheme of the record. “No Broke Boys,” has an instrumental that sounds like the Game Over theme in Super Mario World. I really like that loop. It’s a girlboss anthem, but I feel like it sounds too dime a dozen, subject wise, as well as clichéd. Finally, “Nasty,” is a total club anthem, I like the laidback production and the catchiness of the track. It’s another favorite.

   Overall, it’s not a bad album by any means, but it’s way too short, and I feel like a larger amount of lyrical themes could’ve been touched on had it been a longer record. Tinashe’s a very gifted singer and isn’t a weak songwriter. I feel like she has a lot of untapped potential, and that this album could’ve been much stronger had she explored more concepts related to romance, rather than a tracks about red flags and being a girlboss. Nothing wrong with being a girlboss or being wary of red flags, but other artists have done those kinds of tracks with a lot more skill and substance. I’m really excited when I hear tracks like “Getting No Sleep,” “Thirsty,” and “Cross That Line,” because they feel understandable. Tracks like “Nasty,” are definitely meant to be radio friendly hits, and the raunchy tracks are enjoyable, I just feel like this record could’ve been better.

Overall Score: 7/10

Favorite Tracks: “Getting No Sleep,” “Thirsty,” “Cross That Line,” “When I Get You Alone,” “Nasty,”

Least Favorite Tracks: “No Broke Boys,” “Red Flags,”

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrjESdPsLxE

Genres: R&B/Pop/Trap