Jhene Aiko Debuts New Song “The Pressure”: Listen

Jhene Aiko revealed last month that she would release her debut LP, Souled Out, on August 25. With her meandering new song “The Pressure,” however, she tells Vogue that she has pushed back the release to September. Based on how “The Pressure” plays out, Aiko seems to realize that her time to deliver is approaching.

Initially, while singing over metallic slaps and a shaky beat, Aiko maintains her cool as she exhales deeply into each verse. Halfway through, however, her words become sharper. “You are such a liar / I never denied you, I was for sure,” she sings, before she becomes flat-out dismissive. While Aiko says “The Pressure” was inspired by the stress of finishing Souled Out, she sounds ready to turn the blame on someone else.

In reality, the delay may be for the best. As announced earlier this summer, she will join The Weeknd and Schoolboy Q on a brief King of the Fall tour, now to coincide with Souled Out‘s release. Plus, Aiko has some lofty ambitions for her debut. “ I feel like everything is on another level. It’s deeper,” she said to Idolator, in an interview back in December.

For now, hear “The Pressure” at Vogue.com.

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