Happy Sunday friends! And welcome back to First Listen!
Before we begin today’s listening sesh, let me start by saying thank you for all the love on the first installment of this series a couple weeks back! It’s much appreciated and I have loved chatting with you in the comments, talking about your favorite songs and reading your thoughts — and it has me excited to continue sharing new tracks with you all!
Today’s album session is dedicated to one of my favorite voices in R&B, Kehlani, and her latest mixtape, While We Wait 2. In a past article, I briefly mentioned how Kehlani’s music and I go way back as I’ve been a fan since the Cloud 19 days. And it’s been so cool to watch their sound develop and grow over the last decade or so, with their voice getting stronger and stronger. When it comes to my favorite songs and projects within her discography, I tend to lean more towards the more soulful and R&B coded work; which made While We Wait (2019) an instant favorite for me. So when While We Wait 2 was teased last month, so soon after the release of Crash (2024), I was super eager to see how WWW2 differed from Crash’s sound and what more she had left to share in this era.
When While We Wait (1) came out, I fell in love with its old school R&B vibe and ran it into the ground, playing Footsteps (feat. Musiq Soulchild), RPG (feat. 6lack), and Butterfly ad nauseam, and I’m excited to see how WWW2 compares to, and is in conversation with, its predecessor. So, if you haven’t heard the project yet— grab your headphones, turn your speakers on, and together, let’s enjoy the first listen ♡
Kehlani’s While We Wait 2 (2024)
rating: 4 out of 5 ☆ | album favorites: 11 songs out of 14 | runtime: 52 mins
Track-by-Track
1. Love Like
Love Like is the Nights Like This (from WWW1) of the mixtape, which is to say that while it’s not my favorite track, with every new listen, it grows on me. I do, however, like where it was placed on the mixtape’s tracklist as I think it would’ve disrupted the flow anywhere else.
2. When He’s Not There (feat. Lucky Daye)
I feel like singles set the tone for an album/project, and WHNT, the first and only single of the mixtape, screams “moody, sexy fall R&B.” The second track sees Kehlani and Lucky Daye reuniting after Can You Blame Me?, their collab on Kehlani’s sophomore album, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t (2020); and I think Daye was the perfect person to collaborate with for that vibe.
I love when songs have a strong and clear narrative, and When He’s Not There plays out like a story being read to the listener. On their respective verses, both Kehlani and Lucky remind their lover how much better of a partner they are compared to the person they’re actually dating.
I love whenever Kehlani gets on a track and pops her shit, and this song is them in top form. It’s very I know we said we’d stop sneaking around but you know where home is so let’s stop wasting everybody’s time. Similar to John Legend’s She Don’t Have To Know— one of the most suave cheating “love songs” of all time lol
“Lord knows I won’t end a happy home, but I’ll leave a condo broken”
Like that’s an insane thing to say but at least she’s honest lmao
Additionally, I love when artist’s self-reference and I enjoyed the interpolation of Can I, the opening track of IWGUIW, on the chorus of this track.
3. Clothes Off (feat. kwn)
This song is hot. It’s a letting you know what’s up the next time I see you type song. It’s sending that risqué text and owning it, not throwing the phone across the room anxious about what the other person’s response will be.
“I don’t share, I ain’t sharing. No offense, she ain’t better than me.”
“‘Cause there’s no comparin’, I decided/I just can’t let you get no other b— involved.”
Prior to listening, I was unaware of kwn but I will be tuned in to everything she releases moving forward because the production on this track is amazing, her voice is gorgeous— I love her tone, and her pen is fire! Also there’s something about the way the background vocals are stacked that has this almost ethereal, choral sound to it that’s beautiful and I kept running the song back just to hear it again.
4. S.I.N.G.L.E.
My first thoughts when this song came on was: there’s a very 90s R&B sound to it which tracks as the second verse interpolates Sittin’ Up In My Room by Brandy and the song as a whole samples 143 by Musiq Soulchild— two artists who rose to mainstream popularity during that time.
“I’m not in the place to be broken/So I’m holdin’ hope that you’ll change/But your stuck in your ways and I’m growin’
On S.I.N.G.L.E., Kehlani toys with the idea that it might be time to bow out of the love game, tired of having to repeat themselves and over-explain their needs to the one person who should be determined to meet them halfway. Basically saying, we can just wrap this up because I’m not gonna force you to show up for me if you don’t want to. I think its a nice update to the original Brandy song which has more of a love sick vibe, whereas Kehlani’s version comes from a more resigned point of view; accepting that things aren’t going to improve and removing herself from the situation to protect their mental and emotional wellbeing. My favorite part of the song is towards the end, where Kehlani takes the chorus up an octave during the last 30 or so seconds— her runs and riffs are so soft and melodic, with an almost airy quality that allows the song to conclude on a beautiful note.
I’m a big fan of the production by DIXSON on this track and the little record scratch that pop ups sporadically in the background is so, so good— he also has a stellar feature later in the mixtape and I believe contributed background vocals on the chorus of this song, which I love.
5. Know Better (feat. Lil’ Mo & Vince Staples)
Know Better starts with a flawless transition from S.I.N.G.L.E. with a beat that I know DJs are gonna crazy with in the club; and is an overall fun song that gives summer romance vibes and that feeling of knowing you’re not in a place to commit to anything long term but simultaneously being unable to ignore the palpable chemistry you share with someone.
Between the lyrics, production and the Lil’ Mo and Vince Staples features, this song is one of my favorites. And with Bryan Michael Cox listed as being apart of the writing team on this track— known for his award-winning and chart-topping work with the likes of Usher, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, and more; is it any surprise that this song is a banger? Also, petition for Vince Staples to hop on more R&B/love songs, because I mainly replay this one for his verse lol
6. Border
Border talks about the ways in which people will try to discount all the hard work you’ve put in to still be here and be able to show up not only for the people you love, but for yourself, when they don’t even know what it took to get here. About the desire to outrun people’s projections and judgment, to escape somewhere where no one knows you to get free from it all. About relying on love to see you through and finding the courage to fight against all the doubt and the voices to keep going and commit to oneself, and the things that bring YOU joy. While listening I kept hearing that Maya Angelou quote, “have enough courage to trust love one more time, and always one more time;” and how each new day brings another opportunity to trust again.
And in what is one of the most personal tracks on the mixtape, Kehlani ends the song with a voice note directed towards those who’ve weaponized things learned in confidence against her, calling them out for discounting her anger and pain to further whatever narrative suits them best. They end the track drawing a line in the sand and creating a boundary which they demand be respected.
7. Form Of You (feat. CHILDOFNINES & DESTIN CONRAD)
My favorite track of the entire project, Form Of You opens with a gorgeous piece of poetry by CHILDOFNINES, which unlocked a childhood memory of this painting/poem called Footprints that I loved seeing on the walls of my aunt’s house as a kid. The poem1, which has many iterations, tells the story of a man walking on the beach with God at the end of his life. When he looks back to take stock of all that he’s lived through he notices that during moments when he was at his lowest, there’s only one set of footprints in the sand. Hurt and confused, he turns to God and asks why he left him during his hardships; to which God corrects him, explaining that it was in those moments— when he was weakest, that God carried him.
I always say you know you have a R&B hit on your hands when the lyrics can be attributed to one’s faith and not just romantic love. And this song joins the likes of pov by Ariana Grande and Bloom by Aqyila in that regard.
“Because I see the best version of me through your sight/Moving through the world with your eyes.”
Narratively, this track sounds like a thank you to a lover whose care, compassion and love has transformed you. CONRAD comes in so effortlessly in that final minute, singing “I’ve shown the worst, but you give me your best… Who knew all these blessings, could come in the form of you?” Like not only do I see the world better, but I see myself clearer having been loved by you. The song is so steeped in love with such heartfelt appreciation embedded in its lyrics, I could feel it all over while listening and I kept it on repeat quite a few times before continuing through the rest of the album.
8. Let Me Down (San Diego Interlude)
On Let Me Down, Kehlani laments over the highs and lows of a situationship, and the disappointment that comes with realizing the person you love is unable to be who you need them to be, regardless of their intentions. They sing, “sometimes I get all caught up in the thought of what we could be,” and by the end of the song accepts that the good times shared doesn’t excuse all the ways their partner continues to drop the ball in the present moment.
I LOVE the production, background vocals and instrumentation of this track. To me, it’s very reminiscent of Jacob Collier arrangements and the way he stacks his vocals on songs like Bridge Over Troubled Water. I love how Kehlani showcases her range going between airy high notes and more robust lower notes; and that final don’t let me down again was beautiful.
9. Around
Another track with strong production, Around sees Kehlani singing about insecurities in a new relationship, asking “what if I’m just around/to be around?” And while trying to be understanding of their partner’s baggage and past hurt, is left questioning if there’s any longevity to whatever they’re trying to build due to the instability of it all.
10. Ballin’
“They don’t know we connect like the Wi-Fi/And I need you without being needy.”
This song snuck up on me. When I first heard it, I liked it and thought the beat and production was really nice, but it didn’t fall into my top 3 or even top 5. However, every time I’ve listened to it since my first listen, it’s been one of the songs I go to replay the most. The song feels like the love story between Iris and August in Kennedy Ryan’s novel Long Shot— which if you read, you already know what I’m talking about: “I’d play you at the five.” Be still my heart. And honestly, the more I think about it, I feel like this song has a lyric for every couple in the HOOPS series lol
But for my non-book besties, this song for me embodies that one-of-a-kind connection you have with someone where y’all just click. It doesn’t make sense, that immediate closeness and the comfortability you share, but the relationship just works, and you feel so understood. One where you can finish each other’s sentences and anticipate their needs before they even have the chance to voice them. The kind of love where people look at you and just know y’all don’t play about each other; where you don’t even have the opportunity to soft launch it because it’s just so obvious you guys are connected by some type of invisible string. It’s such a good song and I love Kehlani’s second verse and that little hoop swish in the background so much!
11. First Life
“Maybe I should take a break/Take a rest from falling so hard/I need to learn to be alone/‘Cause how could I know what I want/If I ain’t never been on my own?
This song reminds me of that quote that’s like I belong to myself first and foremost, and how sometimes the only way to love better and show up better in every area of your life, is to spend some time alone. Beyond the lyricism and narrative of First Life, I love how complimentary the production on this track is with Kehlani’s voice. It really allows her vocals, which are buttery smooth, to become the focal point and shine.
12. Slow Dance (feat. DIXSON)
The whole mixtape has this old school R&B feel about it but Slow Dance is the sensual slow jam of the project. Very ambient lighting, date night at home, cooking a meal with your lover and slow dancing in the living room while the chicken is in the oven vibes. Kehlani’s verse feels like the anticipatory moment before giving into your connection with the person you’ve been dating. When you’re on the precipice of stepping firmly into the something more category and knowing that after this there’s no going back to being just friends. While DIXSON’s verse speaks to an established love. One where you’re fully engrained into one another’s daily routine and life; where you know each other’s tells and understand the meaning behind every look. And how that awareness enriches and heightens every intimacy— mental, emotional, and physical, between you two.
I was unfamiliar with DIXSON prior to this but I’m about to get real familiar with his discography because his overall sound and voice? The way he moves effortlessly through his upper and lower registers? So good. He reminds me of my favorite male voices in R&B, like Xavier Omar and Elmiene who are dedicated to breathing new life into R&B and I’ll always support real lovers.
13. 8 (feat. FLO) (remix)
8 is such a cheeky, flirty song and FLO’s new verse took it to another level. I wish Kehlani would’ve given us a new second verse but I think Renèe, Jorja and Stella’s first verse and the addition of their voices to the chorus, was what this track needed; with everyone’s voices blending so beautifully. And I think I might like the remix better than the original, tbh.
I love the FLO girlies and have been following their growth since they released Cardboard Box back in 2022. So to hear their sound become more and more refined, and their fanbase grow has been cool to watch. And now opening for Kehlani on tour, they’re reaching even more listeners and I’m so happy for them ♡
14. After Hours (feat. Ludmilla) (remix)
Nothing tops the After Hours beat and no matter how many times I hear this song, I have to do a little shimmy whenever it comes on. And given that the song samples Move Ya Body by Nina Sky, I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s such a vibe. I enjoyed Ludmilla on the remix, even though I don’t understand a lick of Portuguese lol But it’s such a feel good summer/club song!
Favorite track(s): my top 3 are Form Of You, Slow Dance and Ballin’. And 8 (feat. FLO) and Clothes Off if we’re talking top 5.
Favorite lyric(s):
My Final Thoughts
While We Wait 2 was a gorgeous sequel to 2019’s While We Wait mixtape, and was just what I needed for my album rotation this fall. In just under an hour, the project blends vulnerability and sensuality in that unique way that I love and have come to associate with Kehlani’s music. R&B!Lani is my favorite, and it’s the genre that I feel best allows their talent to shine the brightest. And of the 14 songs, the majority of my favorites are the tracks that feature DIXSON or DESTIN CONRAD as either writers or producers; and I hope Kehlani continues to collaborate with them going forward as she continues to grow and evolve as an artist.
And while I would’ve loved to see Love Like and both remixes on a deluxe version of Crash as I felt tracks 2 through 12/13 had the strongest sonic narrative; overall, I really enjoyed this mixtape! I’m super excited to see which songs off this project make the tour’s setlist, and what cool mashups their team comes up with for the upcoming live shows!
Thank you for joining me for another listening session, I hope you had a lovely time reading and listening along to my thoughts on While We Wait 2, and left with a new favorite song or two! On your way out, be sure to let me know which tracks you loved off WWW2 and which songs you want to hear live in the comments! I look forward to chatting all the things with you ♡
Can’t wait for our next one! Talk soon!
xx gabi
The poem has many iterations but the original and oldest version of it is dated 1939, and credited to Mary Stevenson. My favorite version is Footprints for Children:
“Two sets of footprints, side by side. From dawn to setting sun. Yet there may com a day, my child, when you’ll only see one. But do not think the Lord has left you— nothing could be more wrong. It’s just that he has picked you up to carry you along.”
I'm a big Lucky Daye fan, so WHNT is definitely my favorite. I think CYBM is soooo great too. And yes, FLO sounded so good on 8! I can't get enough of their song "Check" lately.