The ability to be personal and vulnerable in art is one that every artist strives for and not many are able to achieve. But, within her debut mixtape, “how we lose,” Amie Blu reaches this length with honesty and earnestness that will feel refreshing to listeners. 

The leading single from the LP titled, “everything about her,” dropped early this year and immediately left me anticipating more of her music to be released. The production on this track fits smoothly in between the spaces of Bedroom Pop and R&B. However, the thing that is sure to encapsulate most listeners as it did me is her voice - smooth and soulful, standing on top of the production. 

The project’s runtime is only 21 minutes, but it is within these minutes that Amie Blu communicates what she wants to clearly to listeners, both sonically and musically. Much of the album explores vulnerable themes, emphasized through the musical lenses of R&B, Singer-Songwriter, Soul, Jazz, and Pop influences. Acoustic guitars and pianos create a consistent intimacy throughout the record. But the addition of violins, distorted guitars, and leading drums additionally make each song more compelling. It’s this variety that allows for the quietest moments to be felt most powerfully. 

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Whether explicitly intended or implicitly through the honest and vulnerable approach to writing, the core themes weaved throughout the spaces of each song on this project are themes of futility and insecurity - especially within relationships with other people. The opening track, “well, prove it,” sets this thematic tone for the rest of the record, as Blu pleads with her partner to prove his love for her. She sings, “He said he loves me / I said "well, prove it" / Turn all these lightbulbs into stars / He said he needs me / I said ‘you're stupid’ / Nobody ever goes that far.” And later in, “who’s he gonna take home,” she explores the same insecurity in her relationship and jealousy because of it. Though these feelings are often difficult to confront, Blu approaches them with honesty and ease.

Despite this impending doom that clouds the lyricism throughout the record, there is hope to be found within it too. The album art captures this perfectly, as it shows Amie Blu mopping a carpet - a seemingly futile act that she continues to work at. There’s hope to be found despite the futility she feels she’s presented with. And listening to the mixtape, you can’t help but root for her and be hopeful too.  

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