Before I dive into reviewing Normani’s ‘Dopamine’ album, I want to take a moment to talk about Tinashe’s remarkable comeback.
Tinashe has been a dedicated musician for well over a decade. While her breakout mainstream hit, ‘2 On’, was a big success, she recently gained a massive surge in popularity with her track ‘Nasty’. This song went viral on TikTok, thanks to a video featuring dancers Nate’s Vibe and Patience Jay, which perfectly synced with the song and captivated social media users. ‘Nasty’ is now gaining millions of streams daily and has even secured Tinashe her first solo entry on the Hot 100 charts—an incredible achievement.
This resurgence is a major milestone for Tinashe, who has faced significant challenges in the industry, including struggles with her former label RCA. Despite these obstacles, Tinashe’s decision to break away and pursue her music independently has been a game-changer. It has given her the freedom to control her creative direction, release schedule, and career trajectory without the constraints of a label. Her persistence and unwavering commitment to her artistry are now paying off in ways that truly validate her journey.
Isn’t it interesting how the music industry works these days? Some artists seem to explode onto the scene overnight, while others grind away for years before they get their big break. Take Sabrina Carpenter, who’s finally getting recognition after nearly a decade in the game. Then there’s Victoria Monét, who’s been quietly writing and producing for others for ten years before stepping into her own spotlight. And Tinashe, who’s been hustling for a decade and is finally getting the credit she’s earned. Their stories really show that hard work, dedication, and staying power can truly pay off in the end.
Big congratulations to Tinashe on getting the recognition she deserves. I hope she keeps churning out hits that climb the Billboard charts; she’s got so much great, underrated music to offer. Now, onto Normani’s album review.
Normani’s ‘Dopamine’ album has been highly anticipated by her fans for a while now. It’s been a long road to her debut album, but she’s finally delivered, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. Personally, I really enjoyed the album. It’s a pure R&B gem, perfect for anyone who loves that genre.
Normani’s album exudes smooth, bold, sexy, and sultry vibes throughout. The production is impressively cohesive and richly smooth, creating a captivating atmosphere. The album kicks off with ‘Big Boy’, a hip-hop influenced track that surprised me at first but grew on me, despite its explicit lyrics. Normani’s nod to her Houston roots and shout-out to Outkast added a cool, personal touch to the strong opening.
The first half of the album had me hooked: ‘Still Was a Banger’, ‘All Yours’, and the Janet Jackson-esque ‘Lights On’ were standout tracks for me. ‘Take My Time’ brought a fun, uptempo vibe, while ‘Insomnia’ impressed with its beautiful harmonies and melodies reminiscent of Brandy. ‘Candy Paint’ quickly became a favorite with its infectious tempo and polished vocals. I also appreciated ‘Distance’ for showcasing Normani’s vocal versatility, and ‘Little Secrets’ for its energetic mid-tempo feel. And of course, ‘Wild Side’ was a banger that fit perfectly into the album, especially with its alternate version.
Overall, Normani’s album offers a diverse range of sounds and strong performances that make it a compelling listen from start to finish.
“Yeah, I took away a lot of positives from listening to this album. Personally, I could listen to it all the way through without skipping. It’s a solid debut, but I do have a few critiques, being honest. While I like the songs individually, listening straight through, I felt it needed a change of pace. The songs all had a similar mellow vibe, which I usually dig, as I’m into darker, sultry, moody music like Aaliyah and Brandy. But with Normani, I was hoping for more variety. She’s great at pop, and while I like her R&B style, I didn’t want her to abandon pop completely. A couple more upbeat tracks would’ve added some spice and kept things interesting.
Also, I wish there were more songs on the album. She had some unreleased tracks like ‘Touch Myself,’ ‘Rocket,’ ‘Somebody Else,’ and ‘Waves’ that would’ve fit perfectly. ‘Waves’ really suits the album’s vibe. Normani did include ‘Tantrums,’ which is similar to ‘Waves’ and features James Blake, and I do like it, but right now, I lean a bit more towards ‘Waves’.”
Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like adjusted!
I personally feel that ‘Grip’ didn’t need to be a full song. It could have worked really well as an interlude for ‘Wild Side’. That’s just my take. I think it would’ve been great if she replaced ‘Grip’ with a more upbeat track. As for ‘159’ featuring Gunna, I really like that song, but listening to the whole album made me realize it wasn’t essential. It didn’t add or take away from the album; it just kind of blended in with the other songs and didn’t stand out to me.
Overall, I think the album is solid. I’d give it a 7 out of 10. It’s got good replay value and is perfect for certain moods. I appreciate how intentional Normani was with the album’s direction; it feels cohesive and like a strong debut.
I encourage everyone to give the album a listen and support it. Despite my reservations about how RCA marketed it, I hope it does well. Normani’s songs have a timeless quality, and I believe they’ll grow on people over time, even if they don’t immediately rack up big streams.
“So, that’s my overall take on ‘Dopamine’. I’d give it a 7 out of 10—really liked it, you know? Now, I’m curious to hear what you think about the video. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe, and if you enjoyed it, share it around.