Lizzo is totally right — she is America’s Next Bop Star. The versatile entertainer first earned her star attraction with her first two albums —Lizzobangers and Big GRRRL Small World. While both LPs possessed their own attention-grabbing tracks, it wasn’t until she dropped her newly released album and major-label debut, Cuz I Love You, that people took full notice of Lizzo.
Besides having a major label push from Atlantic and its new imprint Nice Life, Lizzo found herself in knocking on the backdoor of creativity, demanding to be “way more brave and way more vulnerable” than ever before.
“It’s exciting to explore vulnerability, because I’m known as being this, like, uber-confident woman and this body-positive, almost like bombastic, braggadocious bitch,” Lizzo told GQ in a recent interview. “And I’m still that, but I’m also exploring and showing a side of myself that people don’t really get to see.”
Since beginning her Cuz I Love You era at the top of the year with highly-concentrated single “Juice,” one may assume that Lizzo has shown nearly every side of herself – even her backside. She kept our eyes glued to her every move, as she promoted the fresh tune with vivacious performances on Ellen and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Though, nothing was more amazing than her follow-up joints, including the title track and her Missy Elliott-assisted twerk anthem “Tempo.”
Now, that Cuz I Love You has made its digital mark, fans and critics alike have been able to feast their ears on the masterpiece known as Lizzo’s official coming out. Packed with a fine musical taste that’s rich in sounds from a hybrid of genres, her new disc is arguably one of the most sexually fluid, amusing, and well-crafted bodies of work since 2018’s Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe.
With her first of two headlining tours in full effect, and cities and dates for another announced yesterday, we have decided to celebrate Lizzo’s glory with our top five picks from Cuz I Love You.
“Cuz I Love You”
Loud. Blunt. Sensitive. This piano standard is an Effe-esque moment that finds Lizzo delivering emotional howls and poetic lyrics that detail her wild life before finding an unexpected romance.
“Soulmate”
Lizzo’s ideal better half isn’t a knight in shining armor. She considers herself her perfect partner on her self-indulgent anthem that gives a major side-eye to Geminis. Emotionally unavailable for anyone besides herself, Lizzo suggests that “true love finally happens when you by yourself.” And that’s on period.
“Lingerie”
You won’t catch Lizzo slipping. On her guitar-led album sendoff, the singer remains on ready when it comes to setting the mood for intimacy. While her relaxed and smooth delivery isn’t overly sexy, her lyrics (and evening wear) leave little to the imagination.
“Tempo” featuring Missy Elliott
Move aside skinny hoes. Lizzo and Missy Elliott have stepped on the dance floor, making no apologies for their curvy physiques. The ass-shaking anthem finds the two stars taking charge of their rear ends and coming through with big girl energy that can’t be concealed.
“Jerome”
Every love song isn’t all roses. Shooing off her agitating lover in the worst way, Lizzo is no longer able to deal with his nagging, late-night advances and his ugly looks. And if this “Jerome” resembles the one from Martin, we can understand her plight.
Stream Cuz I Love You below.
