I think ‘Westside Whimsy’ is a really good album, and one that can connect with listeners on a much deeper level depending on what they’re experiencing in their personal lives. If you’ve ever found yourself navigating feelings for someone you once had a connection with, whether that’s missing them, reflecting on what happened, or trying to move forward, this album might hit a little differently.
One thing I really enjoyed about this project is how the emotions shift throughout the entire album. It almost feels like going through the stages of grief, constantly moving between sadness, frustration, acceptance, reflection, and even moments of confidence. What makes it
interesting is that those emotions don’t necessarily happen in order. You can feel like you’ve moved on one day and find yourself right back in your feelings the next. I think Jhené does a good job capturing that back-and-forth experience.
Although the project feels different from some of her previous albums, I don’t necessarily see that as a bad thing. I think the difference comes from the overall message she’s trying to communicate. Rather than simply recreating the sound of her previous projects, she takes
listeners through a different emotional experience.
There were several tracks that stood out to me throughout the album:
● “Break”: This is one of my favorites on the album. It reminds me of that stage of heartbreak when you start reflecting on how someone made you feel and realize you need a break from all of it. Sometimes you have to accept things for what they are, stop trying to make sense of everything, and allow yourself to move on. What I especially like about this perspective is that it isn’t about ignoring your feelings or pretending you aren’t hurt. It’s about not allowing yourself to stay in that sadness forever.
● “He Belongs”: This one definitely hits home for me. There’s something about liking someone and recognizing that their attention is divided between everything and everyone except where you wish it would be. It’s one thing to have feelings for somebody, but it’s another to realize they aren’t giving you the same consideration or attention. I think that’s what makes this song so relatable.
● “Like Whatever”: I love the energy of this song because it feels like a reminder to put yourself first. It’s about loving yourself, recognizing your worth, and understanding that the world doesn’t have to stop because someone doesn’t see your value. If someone isn’t genuinely for you, whether they’re a hater or simply don’t belong in your life, they can remove themselves. Sometimes you just have to choose yourself and keep it moving.
Other tracks that I enjoyed were “Ghost,” “Ceiling (Freestyle),” “Nothing Nice to Say,” “Don’t Be That Guy,” “Lullaby,” “Beach Boy,” and “Love Bomb.” Each added something to the overall listening experience and helped make the album feel like a collection of different emotions rather than one continuous mood.
Overall, I think ‘Westside Whimsy’ is a solid project from Jhené Aiko. What I appreciate most is how the album allows you to sit with different emotions without making you feel like you have to stay in one place. It reminds you that healing isn’t always linear. Sometimes you miss someone, sometimes you’re angry, sometimes you’re ready to move on, and sometimes you just have to remind yourself who you are. I think the album’s message is what makes it special, and depending on where you are emotionally, you might connect with it more than you initially expect.
I cannot express enough how really good this album is and there are several tracks I’ll keep on rotation. While it feels different from Jhené’s previous work, I appreciate the direction she took with this project and the emotions she was able to capture.
