A couple tracks later, вЂњN-sвЂќ borrows from the вЂ™90s for a sweet, wordless opening, and then double backs with a statement of power. Young R&B singers often pick a mode they like and stick to it (for better or worse), but here the music never gets get stale: вЂњHow That TasteвЂќ jolts forward with imperial swagger. She picks instrumentals that weave twitchy splotches of manipulated vocals around the beat - part Kanye soul-rap, part the Weeknd - especially on the martial title track. вЂњWantedвЂќ mixes chirping samples with a harpsichord-like sound: although Kehlani is based in Oakland, she doesnвЂ™t rely on the production style that defines, unites, and sometimes constrains many of the young artists coming out of the Bay Area. ThereвЂ™s courage here in holding back, a defiant choice to keep things ambiguous. Maybe I just couldnвЂ™t cure you.вЂќ This could be about any betrayal or disappointment - until she suddenly drills down into details more than 2/3 of the way through the song: вЂњevery girl needs a mother.вЂќ вЂњWantedвЂќ describes a newly-made connection, possibly fresh love, but the vocabulary of spiritual uplift in the song comes straight from gospel, as if sheвЂ™s found religion. вЂњYour words were supposed to get me through my heart ache,вЂќ Kehlani sings.

The video for the postcard titled song, shot by Topshelf Junior, features Kehlani out in the California desert pantomiming to the lyrics of the song. In вЂњThe Letter,вЂќ Kehlani refuses to name a subject until the last possible moment. To help promote the project, sheвЂ™s also dropped a visual for the title track, You Should Be Here. Many of the songs on You Should Be Here channel the same heady mixture of longing and uncertainty. Lagalisti Intro You Should Be Here How That Taste Jealous Niggas Wanted The Way Unconditional The Letter Runnin (Interlude) Be Alright Down For You Yet. SheвЂ™s addressing a lover, but that line could apply to anyone with whom she is closely connected: siblings, parents or friends - theyвЂ™re drifting apart, and she doesnвЂ™t get why. Kehlani doesnвЂ™t waste much time: after a short intro, she delivers the albumвЂ™s first cooed line, вЂњIвЂ™m looking right at you, but youвЂ™re not here,вЂќ immediately suggesting the unknowability of intimacy.

You should be here kehlani