British R&B singer Mahalia has taken the long way round to her official debut album (2016's Diary Of Me is considered a project, rather than an album, by Mahalia). Having caught Ed Sheeran's attention at the age of 13, the Leicester-born singer has been in the public eye ever since. Eight years later, her debut album has arrived, but rather than serving as a jumping off point for her sound, it's a considered evolution of her R&B and soul stylings. Love And Compromise proves that sometimes, an album is truly worth the wait.
The album begins with an Eartha Kitt quote which sets the tone for the album, being that you shouldn't compromise for anyone. Kitt laughs and says, “Compromise? What is compromise? Compromising for what? Compromising for what reason?” Album opener Hide Out launches off the back of this, with Mahalia singing about being in a relationship where she was putting in more than she was getting out. However, it's an epithet for Mahalia's career at large, given the almost-decade wait for her debut album, despite only being 21 years old.
Simmer, a collaboration with Burna Boy, sees her fall into step with her partner on the track, weaving her voice into the song alongside Burna Boy's bars. Similarly, What You Did with Ella Mai is a considered collaboration, at least in appearance - even if the truth differs. Speaking to Zane Lowe about the pairing, Mahalia said "I wrote it like maybe now almost a year ago with one of my favorite producers, his name is Pop One Zone out in L.A.
"And it was finished, it was done, the album was about to be delivered and then two days before delivery, Ella Mai texts me and she said, 'Hey, have you submitted the album?' And I was like, 'I'm about to submit it. Why?' And she just basically was like, 'I'd love to be a part of it.' And so I sent her What You Did and then it all happened pretty quickly and then it was literally like hours before delivery."
Good Company sees the themes of the album tied together, with Mahalia expressing the self-respect that comes with a line of successes, not only as a musician, but in life. Mahalia simultaneously produces lyrics like "I like the kind of guy that will wait for it" and "If you can respect me I'll let you stay".
Love and compromise can co-exist, and Mahalia proves it on the album. However, there's no compromise when it comes to her sounds - production from the likes of Sounwave, DJ Dahi, Sam Dew and Pop Wansel, all of whom have worked with some of the biggest artists in the music industry. Mahalia hasn't rushed anything on this album, and it results in a project that is as exciting as it is self-assured.
Mahalia's debut album is a testament to the idea that good things come to those who wait (in this case, her fans). Full of lyrics that cut straight to the core of what she's writing about, swathed in neo-soul and R&B influences that underpin her music, this album is a long time coming, and proves her growth as an artist, as well as provides a pathway towards superstardom.
Mahalia's age places her in a position that seemingly, only she can occupy, too - an almost-decade's worth of musical development, whilst also having youth on her side, with the ideas of being young and single coming through within her music. Mahalia exudes joy, and listeners are better for it. Love And Compromise is an absolute success, and it's an album for both the young, and young at heart.
