Big Sean and Jhené Aiko are each at the height of their respective careers. Last year, Sean dropped “Dark Sky Paradise,” his best album yet. Aiko jumped onto the scene with her first full-length LP, as well as her radio-friendly single “The Worst.” When the two artists announced they were working on a joint EP, expectations were high. With “TWENTY88,” however, neither of them brings much innovation to the table.
Marketed as a complex look into the cycles of a back-and-forth relationship, the EP seemed to be the perfect opportunity for both artists to expand upon their current formulas and explore a level of introspection in their lyrics. Instead, both maintain the lazy, uninteresting patterns which have hindered them in the past.
Opening track "Déjà Vu" best fits the EP’s supposed theme, as it explores an “exes with benefits” situation in which both artists croon over the complications of maintaining a healthy relationship. Set over a laid-back, atmospheric beat, the song is certainly one of the project’s highlights.
In fact, the production is probably the shining light of the entire EP. Twisting classic R&B and jazz samples to sound modern, main producers Flippa and Key Wane create a dreamy, relaxed canvas for Sean’s and Aiko’s ruminations.
Unfortunately, neither artist’s introspection is ever very interesting. Sean’s wordplay mostly lacks complexity, while Jhené’s lyrics lack variety. This is most evident on “2 Minute Warning,” the longest song on the project. Over the course of almost five minutes, Sean delivers bar after bar of shallow sexual references. Jhené makes it even more unbearable with one of the least inspired hooks of her career: “It’s a two minute warning, and I know that you’re horny.”
This is not to say there are not bright spots on the EP. “Talk Show” is one of the rare moments where the two artists actually deliver on their promise, and create interesting songs with intriguing concepts. They go back and forth as if they are on a relationship talk show (hence the name), trading some of the EP’s more memorable lines.
“TWENTY88” may be plagued by a variety of issues, but there are still certain, distinct moments which recall the great potential the two artists possess. Overall, though, they demonstrate very little motivation.
Listening to the EP, it becomes evident this collaboration means very little to each participant. It deviates greatly from either performer’s solo work, and will probably go down as a footnote in their careers.
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