By: Casey Harding-Brown

Jhene Aiko’s Chilombo

Chilombo is a versatile album you can play when you wake up to start the day on a more elevated note (pun intended), when doing yoga, cruising in the car, or when looking to wind down and get centered before bed. It has the perfect balance of love, sex, turn up, healing, happiness, and sass. Lest I forget to mention the features! H.E.R., John Legend, Nas, Ab-Soul, Future, Miguel, Dr. Chill, and of course, Jhene’s beau, Big Sean, are the equivalent to toppings on a sundae that weren’t necessary for it to taste amazing, but definitely take it next level.

Alchemy, sound bowls and chakras

Jhene Aiko’s music has spoken to me for the last five years or so ever since I hear her album “Sail Out”. The way she combines real, in your face lyrics with her light, rifting, melodic voice has always drawn me in and I was eager to listen to her new album, “Chilombo” when it was released. Well, let me say, it did not disappoint and the timing could not have been better.

Not only did I actually listen and enjoy every song on the album, which is an accomplishment in and of itself, she also used crystal alchemy sound bowls to promote healing through her music. Her intro song “Lotus” along with “Define Me”, “Pussy Fairy (OTW)” use sounds that are associated with the third eye and sacral chakra which are known to be related to wisdom, clarity, sensuality, creativity, and emotion.

“Speak”, “10K hours” and “Summer 2020” include sounds related to the Solar Plexus Chakra which corresponds with personal/will power. “Born Tired” uses the G note to activate the Throat Chakra.” which unsurprisingly is connected to self-expression and communication. “Surrender”, “H.O.E Happiness Over Everything”, and “Love” fittingly incorporate notes that are connected to the heart chakra which is related to love, compassion and relationships.

Her songs “Party for Me” and “Mourning Doves” both use the B note to stimulate the Crown chakra, activating awareness and enlightenment.

Music and healing

In these times of uncertainty, I find myself grasping at anything to make me feel more

grounded, balanced and happy. I think we all could use a little healing, individually as well as collectively and while simply listening to an album may sound like a far fetched way to achieve that, I disagree. Music in an of itself has healing properties and helps celebrate their brightest memories and commiserate their darkest times and adding these crystal alchemy sound bowls takes this healing up a notch. To purchase your own healing sounds bowls, click here. Next time you’re on Spotify, make sure to check out “Chilombo.”