Ari Lennox, a stalwart of contemporary R&B, has always eschewed the genre's most avant-garde tendencies in favor of a more jazz-infused, soulful sound reminiscent of her 90s hip-hop forebears. However, with her latest album Vacancy, she takes a bold step into uncharted territory, embracing both tradition and rebelliousness in equal measure.
The opening tracks set the tone for an unpredictable journey, as Lennox's signature sass is on full display. On Under the Moon, she conjures up a creature feature-inspired werewolf-like lover, unleashing a hilariously over-the-top howl of "moooooooooon" that defies genre conventions and brings the house down.
Beyond this opening salvo, Vacancy becomes a masterclass in tone-pitching, oscillating between laid-back reggae-infusions on Cool Down to slyly winking come-ons on Mobbin in DC. The former is an airy, effervescent track that effortlessly glides over the summer months like an ethereal breeze, while the latter brings Lennox's signature style to bear with a wicked sense of humor and calculated comebacks.
The album's standout, Horoscope, is little short of a viral hit waiting to happen – its infectious hook ("That boy put the ho' in 'horoscope'") guaranteed to send even the most jaded among us into fits of laughter. And yet, amidst all this playful experimentation, Lennox displays an effortless coolness, buoyed by her years spent navigating the industry's underbelly.
There's no shortage of drama and intrigue in Lennox's backstory – from harassment at radio stations to past label feuds. Yet Vacancy betrays none of that tension, instead radiating a carefree confidence that speaks volumes about the artist's growth as an individual.
Ultimately, Vacancy is Ari Lennox's most fun outing yet, an album that simultaneously revels in its own eccentricities while showcasing her trademark versatility and wit. With Vacancy on the market, there's little doubt where this trailblazing R&B singer will be headed next – straight into the spotlight, with a fierce sense of purpose.
The opening tracks set the tone for an unpredictable journey, as Lennox's signature sass is on full display. On Under the Moon, she conjures up a creature feature-inspired werewolf-like lover, unleashing a hilariously over-the-top howl of "moooooooooon" that defies genre conventions and brings the house down.
Beyond this opening salvo, Vacancy becomes a masterclass in tone-pitching, oscillating between laid-back reggae-infusions on Cool Down to slyly winking come-ons on Mobbin in DC. The former is an airy, effervescent track that effortlessly glides over the summer months like an ethereal breeze, while the latter brings Lennox's signature style to bear with a wicked sense of humor and calculated comebacks.
The album's standout, Horoscope, is little short of a viral hit waiting to happen – its infectious hook ("That boy put the ho' in 'horoscope'") guaranteed to send even the most jaded among us into fits of laughter. And yet, amidst all this playful experimentation, Lennox displays an effortless coolness, buoyed by her years spent navigating the industry's underbelly.
There's no shortage of drama and intrigue in Lennox's backstory – from harassment at radio stations to past label feuds. Yet Vacancy betrays none of that tension, instead radiating a carefree confidence that speaks volumes about the artist's growth as an individual.
Ultimately, Vacancy is Ari Lennox's most fun outing yet, an album that simultaneously revels in its own eccentricities while showcasing her trademark versatility and wit. With Vacancy on the market, there's little doubt where this trailblazing R&B singer will be headed next – straight into the spotlight, with a fierce sense of purpose.
i mean dont get me wrong her old stuff was fire but this one is on another level 
has a little bit of everything from jazz to reggae to werewolf vibes 
and the hooks are straight fire 
"that boy put the ho' in 'horoscope'" lololol
. And can we talk about that "moooooooooon" moment? 
. She's definitely got a lot of haters who'll be eating their words with this one 
.
THE WAY SHE FLIPS BETWEEN REGGAE AND COMEDIC ANTHEMS IS LIKE NOTHING I'VE EVER HEARD BEFORE! 
IT'S LIKE SHE'S HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE UP THERE ON THAT MICROPHONE!!!
! She's taking R&B in some wild directions but still sounds so soulful and jazzy. I love how she plays with different styles - from werewolf-like lyrics to reggae vibes and witty comebacks 
. I mean, who needs that many werewolf metaphors and comebacks? The girl's trying to be funny, but it just comes across as try-hard to me 
. And don't even get me started on the reggae vibes - it's like she's trying to be the R&B version of Bob Marley or something 
. Give me a break, Ari! You're better than that... or are you? 
! That's like, crazy numbers 
! And I gotta say, that "That boy put the ho' in 'horoscope'" line on Horoscope is FLOWING 
! Not to mention, her socials are lit 
! I'm telling you, Vacancy is a game-changer 
... 85% of critics agree, with some even calling it "a genre-bending masterpiece" 
!
I mean, have you ever stopped to think about how much of our identity is tied to how we navigate and express ourselves in public spaces? Like, Ari Lennox's music isn't just a product of her artistry, but also a reflection of the struggles she's faced as a woman in the industry... and how she's chosen to use those experiences to create something both personal and universally relatable 
. And I love how Vacancy is all about embracing that tension between playfulness and authenticity – it's like she's saying, "Hey, I've been through some stuff, but I'm still gonna have fun with it." And that's what makes her music so refreshing... not just because of the genre-bending production, but because of the vulnerability and self-awareness that shines through. 
gotta say its like she stepped outta time zone and took all that jazz soul vibes 
then threw it at us with some serious humor 
her flow got me movin too - been listenin to it nonstop 
it's like she's tapping into this secret frequency that makes you wanna vibe out to her music 24/7. At first I was like "girl what's going on?" but then I got sucked in by the jazz vibes and was over here singing along with her like a total stan 
. I love how she's not afraid to get weird and try new things, it's like she's having this wild creative party in our ears 
[check out "Horoscope" on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M8z4oWlZQw) 
I'm so here for Ari Lennox's latest album! The way she blends traditional soul and jazz sounds with modern flair is pure magic 
. And can we talk about her sass level? She's on another level 
. Plus, that "moooooooooon" moment on Under the Moon? 
. But what really gets me is how she owns her sass and confidence on tracks like Under the Moon 
The way she takes those 90s hip-hop vibes and jazzes them up is giving me LIFE 
. The fact that she's embracing both tradition and rebellion at the same time is so inspiring, you know? It's like she's saying "I'm still true to myself, but also willing to take risks". And can we talk about how iconic those lyrics are on Horoscope? 
!