With the recent release of her 18-track debut album, “Over It,” Summer Walker has effectively found her place at the top of R&B charts worldwide. With her 2018 top track “Girls Need Love,” Walker presented serious potential to create her own sound while including honesty and soul that earned the respect of both R&B music listeners and creators. “Over It” is predictable in the best ways. Walker sings lyrics of love, anger and heartbreak over classic smooth and sensual R&B sounds. Still, she manages to create a fresh and captivating sound that often reflects the type of R&B that she most admires.
The first notable song on the record is a remix of her original song “Playing Games” featuring Bryson Tiller. In this song Walker questions why her love interest won’t just claim her and show her off in public. The lyrics are bold and honest with lines in the second verse saying, “But we take a picture, can’t post it / How that work? / Quit your talking, back that s*** up.” Although it’s easy to get lost in the effortless range found in the vocals, Walker ties the song together with a unique reworking of Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name” in the chorus.
There is definite ’90s R&B influence in this album, most prominently shown in the track “Come Thru.” This song not only samples Usher’s 1997 song “You Make Me Wanna…” but features him as well.
At first listen, “Fun Girl” might seem like a slow and lifeless track. But this track is arguably the most soulful on the entire album. Walker’s lyrics address how she has been disregarded as marriage material because of her independence and certainty of herself: “Is it ‘cause I know what I want just like you? / ‘Cause I make my own money and my own moves?” The brutally honest lyrics accompanied by the sounds of Walker’s raw unedited vocals and her electric guitar almost make this song painful to listen to.
Walker seems to have a breakthrough about her love life in the song “Might Be.” In this song featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR, Walker reflects on her failed relationships. With lyrics like “Love is a losin’ game and I just can’t take no more,” Walker seems to be giving up on putting the effort into a good relationship. She comes to the conclusion that she “just might be a ho.” Her raspy voice is perfectly complemented by PARTYNEXTDOOR to create an alluring and broody song.
Walker has listeners wondering if they heard her right in the 15th track, “I’ll Kill You,” featuring Jhené Aiko. Walker masterfully writes an entirely different story about love than that of “Might Be.” Walker and Aiko create a desperate yet charming sound as they go back and forth singing about being possessive in a relationship.
Although released in 2018, the remix of “Girls Need Love” featuring Drake finds its place as the final song on “Over It.” Walker addresses the fact that women also have sexual desires. This song has beautiful layered chords underneath the lyrics that create a subtle sound that contrasts well with the blunt lyrics. Drake responds with lyrics equally blunt and sultry.
“Over It” receives immediate attention from listeners because of its authenticity. Walker’s emotions are all over the place in this album, and that’s relatable. Each song brings a different feeling, but passion is the common denominator. Walker manages to remain consistent with the R&B style while bringing her own unique sound to the album. Five stars
