Ella Mai’s recent, self-titled release is her first studio album, but it follows a multi-platinum US success. It’s a success that could well be difficult to top, but this album might just have what it takes.
Ella Mai has been making waves in the US for a while, but it hasn’t been until recently that she’s been catching people’s attention on this side of the Atlantic. The single ‘Boo’d Up’ has been a big hit over in the States, with Ella becoming the first UK artist to reach the top of the US R&B charts in 26 years. The song has drawn many high profile fans, including Rihanna, and has even been remixed by Nicki Minaj and Quavo, but so far has not been shown the same love in the UK. “If it were up to England, Boo’d Up definitely wouldn’t be where it is now”, Ella says. But that could all be about to change.
Like many artists, Ella’s initial shot at success didn’t end as she might have hoped. Auditioning for the X Factor UK in 2014 — as one third of the trio Arize — she didn’t progress past the audition and the group disbanded shortly after. Turning to social media, Mai began posting covers on instagram, and was later contacted by DJ Mustard in response to her cover of Tupac’s ‘Keep Your Head Up’. She was quickly signed to his record label, and after recording between LA and New York, her full-length LP was released.
The breakout track itself is a highlight of the record, offering up a nostalgic 1990s-era R&B vibe, with the scatting of “bado boo’d up” evoking a sonic double entendre, capturing the sound of a heart beat. The second track, ‘Good Bad’, is suitably different to her breakout single, with a moodier style and morose lyrics. ‘Dangerous’, meanwhile, is more upbeat, with an unusual synth-driven introduction before the vocals kick in: “I’ll be right here with your breakfast when you wake up” Mai hints suggestively. And, on the track ‘Sauce’, Mai claims “I got too much sauce…Sorry that you can’t keep up”. This playful confidence and talk of love are prominent tropes of the album, for example, trap number ‘Run My Mouth’ has Ella singing her lovers praises once again: “I’m just a woman in love/Never thought it could feel like this”.
Before the album was released, Ella hinted, cryptically, at some collaborations, including ‘Whatchamacallit’ where she harmonises beautifully with Chris Brown. Despite the slightly humorous name, the song is serious, with a slow and sexy melody. ‘Gut Feeling’, featuring H.E.R., is simpler and more subtle, with delicate piano; however, ‘Everything’, alongside John Legend, is the star of the show, with a calming D’Angelo-inspired rhythm dressed up for the modern day with a trap style beat later on. At the end of the track, Mai defines the term ‘Assertive’ as part of an acrostic poem she works into the rest of the album. The opening track defines the word ‘Emotion’, and she goes on to define the words ‘Lust’, ‘Love’, ‘Mystery’, and ‘Aware’ on later tracks. This all adds a hidden dimension to an otherwise ordinary record, although on a casual listen it could seem disruptive to the album’s flow.
Despite the album being predominantly R&B-based, some songs on the LP take inspiration from other genres. ‘Cheap Shot’, for example, begins with a guitar-driven intro, whilst ‘Easy’ is a poignant piano ballad, climaxing with a choir at the end. The closing track, ‘Naked’, is positive and chilled-out, showcasing Mai’s raw vocal talent supported by a simple electric guitar backing. This makes for a surprising yet satisfying finale.
For such a young and fresh new talent, Ella Mai’s debut is remarkably confident. Off the back of her major US hit, ‘Boo’d Up’, the British R&B singer has shown that she is here to stay, with an LP that lives up to the hype. The album is undoubtedly set to be a success over the pond, but will it be shown the same love here in the UK? It definitely could. After all, “There’s a place for R&B in the UK industry”, she says, “I hope that Boo’d Up can be a testament to [that] fact. Sometimes, it takes you moving outside the box to prove that it can be done.”
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