If there’s one thing we learned this year in music it’s this: Don’t rush a good thing. After waiting five years, a few mixtapes and enduring various personal drama and pushbacks, Jeremih’s long-awaited third studio LP, Late Nights: The Album, has arrived.
The follow-up to 2010’s All About You, the R&B hit-maker surprise released his long-delayed album just when fans were starting to accompany the idea of another label set back. And not only did it drop, but it registers as the alley-oop to the string of R&B albums for the year. The 15-track player features guest appearances from J. Cole, Future, Big Sean, Migos, Ty Dolla $ign and the previously released singles “Royalty,” “Pass Dat,” “Oui,” “Planes,” and the sultry hit “Don’t Tell ‘Em.”
Despite Jeremih’s label, Def Jam Recordings, reportedly delaying the project due to mixing and mastering problems, along with obtaining clearance issues connected to “Planes,” the Chicago-crooner continued to keep the momentum by offering a collection of sex-tape steered tracks. Sonically sounding off as a sequel to his fan-favorite bedroom recording Late Nights, it’s as if he picked up right where he left you feening for more. It’s a back-to-back roll-call of women, vices and wild for the antics, coated with a brush of intimate emotions for a steady steam of R&B vibes.
Jeremih’s Late Nights: The Album is the antidote to saturated love songs, and in turn, a tactile tease behind closed doors.
“Planes”
In the opening track “Planes,” Jeremih sings over a cold, sparse beat for a visual to the lavish side of life. From his big whip to his lady riding passenger, he even offers to let her join the mile-high club before J. Cole comes in to the seal the deal.
“Impatient”
Ready to take it to the next level, Jeremih confesses that he’s long-overdue for love on “Impatient.” The snapping beat shadows Jeremih’s whisper vocals as he sings, “I’ve been waiting for so long/ Girl you just don’t know.” Ty Dolla $ign trades in the last verse for a rundown of what he has planned for the late-night, singing, “I know 50 ways to make you climax.”
“Oui”
Jeremih keeps the flame ignited on the fairly-clever track “Oui.” Consenting over a tinkling piano, the drums kick in for a lofty melody and modern day fantasy world, for Jeremih to serenade you on a R&B chase. It’s not a fireworks display or dance-floor filler, it’s a slow jam for you to sink in to.
“Royalty”
A re-up to the album, “Royalty” is a low-key banger with supplied hook help from Future and Big Sean. Tossing the luxury of clout and success in the mix, Future reminds us, “Club jam packed, they gon’ treat us like we royalty.” While Big Sean delivers the winning line, “I know niggas would pay for that pussy/ I get it free with the promo code.”
“Worthy”
Closing out the album, Jeremih and Jhené Aiko snap on their lovers in order to remind them how “Worthy” they are. Over the snaring production, the singers to swap feelings, singing, “They don’t see what I see/ You’re worth it baby.”