By Azalea Kozlowski, JRN 101 Student
The emphatic New York attitude of underground artist Lexa Gates radiates through her new vulnerable, soul-exposing album, I AM. The Big Apple’s very own “Ms. Nonchalant” is a multi-talented musician who aims to unleash her emotional self with her latest record.
Released on Jan. 16, I AM is an emotionally rounded album that dives deep into the psyche. Some might know Gates for her performance art while promoting new releases: locking herself in a glass box in the middle of New York or walking on a giant hamster wheel, all while maintaining her impassive demeanor and listening to her music on a pair of overhead headphones. The contrast between her performance art and the emotional bandwidth within her songs is striking and makes her music all the more compelling.
This deeply complex and vulnerable album is an exploration of her life and growth. Gates describes the album as a deeply personal, “raw” and vulnerable exploration of her life. She tries to maintain that mysterious persona but still expose her vulnerability, calling her work “bare yet mysterious.”
I could not agree more with this characterization. She nailed the album by being open and vulnerable, somehow showcasing both emotional depth and nonchalance. As a follower of Gates’ music journey, I was impressed with how this album displays her personal growth and production expertise.
Lexa Gates is empowering; she is a true lyricist who deserves far more attention than she’s getting. She is for the women who take charge in their life.
The first track is a perfect thematic opening. Its lyrics encapsulate the overarching theme of self-discovery and growth: “I remember where I was, / What I am, and / What I will be.”
The theme of being the person you are and chosing how to live your life is what she explores in this song as she invites the listener on a journey of their own transformation and self-acceptance. Gates infuses the music with an energy that empowers the listener to say “I got this!”
Vulnerable yet so confident in what she says, Gates demands your attention. Her song “Serious” displays her unapologetic nature. She steers away from the melodic singing she’s familiar with to rap with an assertive and serious tone. Gates’s voice demands that you listen and the lo-fi beats in the back make for easy enjoyment.
The sequence of the tracks is deliberate, which enhances the emotional journey. In the sixth track, “Change,” she opens up about her mental state, reflecting on her challenges around changing and the complex feelings around evolving into your new self.
What makes the theme truly shine through is the following track “You’re Better Off,” where she addresses the listener directly, sharing the struggles she’s faced and the effects on her mental state. She repeats the phrase “You’re better off,” offering a message that changing and growing will leave you “better off.”
She’s leaving the listener with a feeling of hope and reassurance. This thoughtful progression creates a powerful dialogue between vulnerability and empowerment and makes the album feel like an intimate conversation.
To put Lexa Gates’ album into one genre would be a mistake. There is a blend of hip hop, rap, neo soul and electronic music. The album as a whole and the individual tracks both highlight her impressive range and talent. I would describe her music as “diary style,” reflected in her lyrics being honest and vulnerable.
If you have a soft spot for neo soul artists like Bill Withers, Dorothy Ashby and Tyrone Davis, you’ll be glad to discover Gates’ music.
Velocity 
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