Ungodly Hour - A Review
Ungodly Hour, Chloe x Halle’s second studio album, hits a little different. The album, produced by the Grammy nominated duo, is a wondrous mix of poppy RnB tunes as well as their famous eclectic style featuring Halle Bailey’s elegant Broadway style voice. The album has been devoured and is now well worn among the Black community as the two are refreshingly themselves: unapologetic Black young women. I think it’s time the rest of the world know about their talent. Stop sleeping on Chloe x Halle!
Following their well-received and impressive first album The Kids Are Alright, the duo has grown up and certainly put their money where their mouth is. They have matured even more since their song Grown, which became the theme of Grown-ish, a spin-off of the American sitcom Black-ish. In Ungodly Hour, Chloe and Halle have proved that they have conquered adolescence and are not afraid of being adults. Their viral music video Do It shows a sexy side to the girls that expresses their maturity – no drama, no baby mamas Halle sings in the pre-chorus, a sentiment true to their current style. The two are unafraid to sing about how they feel and about what goes on in their lives, modern struggles that include being sent unsolicited d*ck pics, feeling insecure, and not feeling good enough.
The titular Ungodly Hour is aptly named and, in my mind, summarises the focus of the album which is vulnerability and realness. They ask that they be loved at the Ungodly Hour only when you decide you like yourself. Such a statement reflects the confidence and creativity the girls exude in this album. It also highlights their independence as well as their capacity for self -preservation, as they suggest that they do not need drama or negativity in their lives. Songs such as Tipsy and Busy Boy also show off the skulduggery and reality of dating as they expose the boys in their lives for being selfish and strumming on their heartstrings. Don’t be dumb the girls sing. Don’t be dumb indeed.
Chloe x Halle have created an album backed by the likes of Beyoncé, who signed the sisters in 2013 to her label Parkwood Entertainment. Since then, they have opened for Queen B and Jay-Z during their On The Run II Tour, sang the American national anthem at the Superbowl pregame programme, and even performed live at the Grammy’s last February. Halle, the younger of the two, is also set to play Ariel in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid and her melodious vocals are not to be missed. Do you need any more reason to listen to these girls? Ungodly Hour is a welcome introduction into a new look for Chloe x Halle, one that is trendy and cool while also in touch with their imaginative jazzy roots.
Edited by Ketki Mahabaleshwarkar
(Image from Instagram @chloexhalle, of Chloe and Halle)
