Ama – AMA: An MM Review

London based multi-genre artist, Ama, released her 3^rd studio album – AMA last week Friday. Previously known as Ama-Lou, her prominent sound blends R&B, Soul and hints of Garage, offering us a varied listening experience. This album is no different, ranging from slower, mellow tones to slightly upbeat tracks.  

The artist took to Instagram to promote the project describing it as “self-titled because this is the first time I’ve written from my true perspective”, and referring to a “new era” – perhaps alluding to the album being somewhat revealing in nature, providing a deeper insight into her thoughts and feelings. 

Covering themes of love, relationships and sense of self,  the 13-track album features fellow R&B giants – Brent Faiyaz and Bryson Tiller, befitting for the topics covered based on the content of their own discography. The minimal use of features feel positively strategic in that listeners are able to focus on Ama’s blissful vocals alone. 

AMA begins with Life’s better – light string instruments capture our attention before the gradual introduction of a heavier beat which makes for the perfect build up. This track is conversational, it feels like Ama is speaking to herself, expressing humanly common moments of internal conflict when adapting to life changes – “cause without chaos I just don’t know how to function”, “got inner peace, but now I wanna feel something”. 

Ama flaunts her vocal ability in Friend Zone as she executes several pitch changes with noticeable ease. The choice of lyrics fit perfectly with the title as she clarifies her position with a guy who believes he is her lover as she sings – “I want you to know that you never had any chance with me”. The echo of background vocals adds further emphasis for him as he tries to “crawl out the friend zone”. 

Sonically, I Don’t  features a piano as the main instrument together with a light beatbox – like sound. Ama recounts a relationship that has gone sour however she encourages herself saying that his actions won’t stop her “being a lover girl”, remaining open to love and its prospects. 

With a song for everyone, the album feels like an ode to her own multi-faceted journey, which makes it all the more relatable – certainly one to add to your music library. 

Star Rating: 4/5

Words by Bernice .A.