Ari Lennox delivers her age/sex/location sophomore album as promised earlier this summer. When asked by her label founder J. Cole what the album means to her she replied with several catalysts to self-actualization. She described the process of gaining clarity about interacting with people who didn’t appreciate her and the importance of dating herself. The search for love has ceased because as she said in an Instagram post, the love is already there inside herself. Her “Boy Bye” duet with Lucky Daye personifies the self-love mantra with humor as she calls out his shortcomings. The vibe continues when she demands respect on the Summer Walker-assisted “Queen Space.” Lennox surprised fans two weeks ago when she shared the Away Message EP which has “Queen Space” on its tracklisting. The anticipation for the follow-up to her critically acclaimed Shea Butter Baby 2019 debut album can be fulfilled because the new album avoids the dreaded sophomore slump.
