Serena Isioma; a Chicago born, 19-year-old artist with the most distinct sound in the RnB genre I’ve heard since 6lack and The Weeknd made me wanna cry while setting all my ex-girlfriends’ clothes on fire with a forty in my hand. Isioma blessed us with an EP on the 18th of March and ever since then; all I’ve been doing is bumping every single song off it daily, as should you.
The “Sensitive” EP is pretty short, so you get a very well produced, cleverly written, witty and bumpin’ little present during the trying times we’re all currently facing (please stay home). With only 5 songs on this project: this is one of the most underrated, slept on pieces of music you can find. Totally overshadowed by some huge surprises (looking at you, Eternal Atake), I highly recommend anyone interested in music in the slightest to check this small bundle of joy out.
Starting off with the banger: “Sensitive” is the new bad bitch anthem. Hands down. Serena goes off on all the men that did her wrong in her come up. Laying down some serious bars, she’s speaking directly to those who want to profit off her. What they don’t realize is that she’s already above all of that, going on about how she would never sell her integrity as an artist; as a woman, in the face of a little more pocket change. Her goal is to make it big and give back to where it all began which is the attitude a lot of artists (and people) need to have, but it always somehow gets lost in the sea of marketing shams, deluded self-entitlement and drip. Serena is a breath of fresh air; this song perfectly summarizes the atmosphere regarding businesses taking advantage of artists.
Out of nowhere; we’re met with the somber and slow RnB track: “Valentina”. This is a love song through and through; the type of song you put on as you see your totally unattainable crush walk past reeking of cocoa butter and heartbreak. Serena describes this person’s movements, seeming as ethereal as the instrumentals, the smooth guitar riffs and dreamy back-up vocals in the background.
Smoothly transitioning into another banger; “Cookout” is when Serena is having the most fun. This song take advantage of how talented Serena is on the guitar; having a bouncy sounding riff in as the lead rhythm during the chorus. However; this time its all about making money and celebrating success. After jumping hurdles just to get her voice out there, I’m sure she’s proud of her accomplishment.
I didn’t expect to get a rap song on this album, but Serena’s a wild card. “Move” has that “got too lit but I can still face a blunt” vibe all about it…at first glance. Hatesonny – the featured artist – bodied this beat; reminiscing about a girl he saw at a party once that made him do double take. However; Serena’s approach to rap on this track is entrancing and hypnotizing which would blow anybody’s verse out the water. From what I’ve gathered from this track; I think it’s a continuation to the story we got with Valentina. You can feel the loneliness in Serena’s voice as it feels like she’s is serenading her love interest as she deals with being alone in the club.
And finally, a killer record ends with a killer ending track: “Hard” is Serena’s most vulnerable moment on this album as she starts to question her motivations and her art. Being an artist myself; this is a song I can hardcore relate to. Not a day goes by when I don’t doubt myself, or think my art or music isn’t good enough. Serena sheds the curtains of her psyche back and describes how hard she’s worked for what she has; even if its not a lot by our standards, it changed her life immensely. However, its always the little voice in the back of our heads that constantly judges what we do, how we do it and how the result turns out which makes us all question the things we do. Serena gives a simple solution: Determination. Resilience. The feeling of believing in something so hard that you manifest it into reality.
In conclusion: listen to this EP. Serena Isioma is an artist you need to keep an eye and an ear out for; I can guarantee that she’ll make an even bigger name for herself soon. Quarantine or not.
Stay safe, readers!
Sensitive by Serena Isioma is avalible now on Apple Music, Spotify, and Soundcloud. While enjoying the EP be sure to follow her on Instagram.