blue water roadKehlani · 2022

thelineofbestfit

9.0

“Kehlani explores spirituality and sensuality throughout Blue Water Road”

guardian

8.0

“It’s been two years since Kehlani’s last album, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200. For an artist who once competed in America’s Got Talent, they have managed to create an identity that feels authentic and, well, cool. On their third project, the Oakland-born singer delivers an onslaught of glistening vocals in 13 tracks that are mostly yearning. The opener”

nme

8.0

“R&B star swaps badass braggadocio for quiet confidence”

pitchfork

7.9

“Kehlani’s most mature and thematically challenging album is steamy and committed, more eager than ever to bet it all on love. They’ve never sounded more comfortable in their own skin.”

Ryan1Nunez

7.0

“Blue Water Road feels like a calm, reflective chapter in Kehlani’s catalog. As a music fan, this album plays like a slow drive at night; smooth, emotional, and intentionally mellow. The production leans heavily into dreamy R&B and soft neo-soul textures, giving Kehlani plenty of space to let their vocals breathe. What really works here is the mood. The album flows beautifully from start to finish, with songs that feel intimate and vulnerable, touching on healing, love, and self-reflection. Kehlani’s voice sounds warm and effortless throughout, and when the songwriting clicks, the emotion lands in a really genuine way. At times though, Blue Water Road can feel a little too subdued. Some tracks blend together and the record doesn’t always reach the emotional peaks you might hope for. But even with that, the atmosphere and sincerity keep it engaging. It may not be the flashiest project in Kehlani’s discography, but it’s a soothing and heartfelt listen that shows a more peaceful side of their artistry.”