Lizzo is profoundly one-of-a-kind; she’s a rapper, a flutist, an impressive vocalist and an unapologetically body-positive black woman. There is perhaps no other artist who has upended the music scene like her, combining genreless bright music with universal lyrics that nobody can refuse. With Lizzo’s newest album, “Cuz I Love You,” the legend-in-the-making is finally getting the recognition she deserves.
Her third studio release and first full-length album dropped on Apr. 19, and audiences have been nothing but captivated.
It starts out with the title song, immediately putting vocals on display with Lizzo belting out “I’m crying, cuz I love you.” The beat drops with heavy instrumentals, then moves into the clean verses backed mostly by piano and drums that carry an almost blues-like chord progression. It’s an anthem of self-reflection, as Lizzo riffs, “I thought that I didn’t care / I thought I was love-impaired / But baby, oh baby / I don’t know what I’m gonna do” before bringing back the title lyrics.
From there, Lizzo moves to “Like a Girl,” the track that The Atlantic calls “ad-ready,” given its strong tempo and lyrics that blatantly address working, fighting, throwing and running “like a girl.” The bridge goes, “Look, so if you fight like a girl, cry like a girl / Do your thing, run the whole damn world / If you feel like a girl, then you real like a girl / Do your thing, run the whole damn world,” and despite the almost over-the-top, in-your-face message of female empowerment Lizzo drops here, “Like a Girl” remains one of the best bops on the album.
Following that is “Juice,” well-known since its single release in early January. This song is one of Lizzo’s best in general, with an ‘80s R&B feel that encourages both dancing and unabashed self-love.
Musically, “Soulmate” could stay or go; Lizzo’s rap talent shines, but it feels overall like a song that’s been done before. The message is important to the album, though, and to Lizzo’s brand. It continues to push messages of independence, self-love and pro-masturbation happiness, and just the fact that an artist created a song called “Soulmate” that isn’t heteronormative is something to note. Lizzo continues to ground herself in universality, and she proudly avoids defined and binary identities; in an interview with Teen Vogue, she stated, “When it comes to sexuality or gender, I personally don’t ascribe to just one thing. I cannot sit here right now and tell you I’m just one thing.”
“Jerome” is definitely one to put on repeat, with a slower 6/8 tempo and a spotlight on gospel vocals and guitar riffs. “Crybaby” channels Lizzo’s Prince inspiration, and the following track “Tempo” brings in Missy Elliott for what Rolling Stone would call a “twerk-core” hit. “Exactly How I Feel,” with Gucci Mane, was another take-it or leave-it; tune in to hear Lizzo belt the pre-chorus, “Love me or hate me / Ooh, I ain’t changing / And I don’t give a fuck, no,” but go ahead and skip the rest of her eighth track.
The album finishes with “Better In Color,” “Heaven Help Me” and “Lingerie,” and it seems like Lizzo saved the best for last. The first is simple but short and catchy. The second is a definite favorite, with forward-moving lyrics and varying tempos that again highlight Lizzo’s gospel sound. Lastly, “Lingerie” brings “Cuz I Love You” to a close, dropping key, pace and urgency with a laid-back sex ballad that feels perhaps most authentically Lizzo.
And the world needs more authentic Lizzo. On her album cover, Lizzo is nude and easily slouched over, hinting that while her outward brand shows the confident feminist transcending expectations of race, size and the like, “Cuz I Love You” is also an exercise in vulnerability. Lizzo wasn’t always the powerhouse she is now, and she certainly doesn’t see herself as a hero. She’s just using music however she can to make a difference:
“I can’t wake up one day and not be black. I can’t wake up one day and not be a woman. I can’t wake up one day and not be fat. I always had those three things against me in this world, and because I fight for myself, I have to fight for everyone else.”
