One of the great things about music is that no matter your mood, you can always find some music to suit the time and place in your life. Sometimes you want music that is loud and aggressive. Other times you want music that is mellow and introspective. If you want the latter, Jah9’s new album Note To Self is a good selection.
On the album (her third, following New Name and 9), Jah9 – who is also a yogi – addresses a lot of personal topics that will get you thinking. In fact, it’s not enough just to say that they are personal topics. With topics like the importance of self-reliance, a lot of the album feels like a glimpse into Jah9’s journal.
“Ma’at (Each Man)” is one of those songs that delivers a strong personal message. In it, she sings, “Each man stands alone”. In addition, she encourages the listener to “fly away from the social drama” and the “theaters of war” among other things. The only thing that would make this song more personal and powerful is if you saw the lyrics written on the page by Jah9 herself.
As you go from one song to the next, you can tell that this album was somewhat therapeutic. In the title track (featuring Chronixx), she sings, “Stress is a common threat to my happiness”, which is a realization that a lot of people could stand to have. In the chorus she assures, “I’m going to be OK.” This one kind of feels like seeing her do a self-affirmation. On the flip side is “Highly (Get To Me)”. This song carries a message that it is never OK to use your background as an excuse for bad behavior – particularly toward women. In a time when you hear a lot about toxic masculinity, this song could easily be used as an anthem against such poor behavior.
No matter what she sings about, whether the subject is “things that make your body feel good” or that “expression has been my savior” (“Ready to Play” featuring Tarrus Riley), Jah9 has an easygoing vocal delivery that brings Lauryn Hill to mind. And that easygoing, pretty voice is accompanied by groovy rhythms and buoyant melodies that just might help you realize that you too are going to be OK.
It’s rare that you come across an album like this that seems to give you a glimpse into the mind and soul of the artist. In addition, Jah9 challenges the listener toward self-actualization and self-improvement. Beyond that, the messages and melodies stay with you even after you’ve stopped listening, and that is a sign that the artist’s job is done well.
