I have to admit that I was initially unsure of where I stood on Mahalia and Rico Nasty’s new collaboration ‘Jealous’. I follow both on Instagram, and when I saw the news for the release, I was undeniably hyped. But on first listen to the track, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. The guitar-laden instrumental, produced by London powerhouse Cadenza, seemed to meander all over the place without a clear sense of structure. With that being said, I warmed up to it the more I listened, and the more I listened, the more I found myself quietly nodding along; Mahalia’s smooth and soulful voice is, as always, self-assured and catchy, while Rico Nasty’s feature has great flow and character. I was surprised at how mellow the latter’s vibe was, which fitted the songs sonic aesthetic. I’m most familiar with Rico’s characteristically fiery tracks (the popularity of her biting hits ‘Smack a Bitch’ or ‘OHFR?’ are testament to this), so the change in energy was interesting, showcasing the ease in which she can switch up vibes. 

Part of what makes ‘Jealous’ stand out is its authenticity, something that was confirmed by Mahalia herself in a press release for the track; the song was born through an outpouring of emotions regarding unsupportive friends and growth in a time that’s been described as a ‘rollercoaster’. Mahalia urges a theme of reflection and reminiscing throughout her music; ‘Jealous’ is a chill, serene track that accomplishes just that.