Album Review - “Papercut” by Imani Imani

Papercut by Imani Imani is not just a new flavor in the R&B genre, but it’s a shiny new fabric on the universally understood topic of love. Imani’s voice, paired with top-notch production, creates a project that’s fun, dynamic, and, through eleven songs, creates replay value that most artists would kill to have in a world where social media attention span dominates the replayability of music. 

Who would have thought signing to Kendrick Lamar’s label, PgLang, was a recipe for success? Wait, everyone? Good to know. 

Imani had every tool to reach success before singing a single note on this album. However, during this project, if the knowledge that she signed to Kendrick remained an unknown fact, you would come out of this album feeling as though you had just discovered your new favorite artist. 

Between her near-defiance “Nothing is better than me” attitude and her natural talent, Imani has all the makings of a star, and every song highlights this prediction. Entering the project with a bass-thumping “Bet On Me,” the songstress comes out full-guns blazing, and it would not be a far cry to state that she does not let off the gas as the album progresses. 

While the tempo, for good reason, slows down on songs like “Mindgames,” her songwriting is visually impressive; she can perform the notorious cursive singing without sounding ear-drainingly exhausting, without sacrificing the natural appeal that resides within the R&B genre. 

Production-wise, one would not fault any listener for falling head over heels for the instrumentals of this project. Songs range from crying-while-raining levels of slow-beauty to summertime pop-fun, and somehow, despite this being her debut project, she knocks each tune out of the park. 

If you are looking for new music to check out, without feeling compelled to double back on your favorites, Papercut by Imani Imani is a surefire hit.