The opening track “Bitter” details a relationship that you look back on from time to time but still feel hurt about. I love that Cardi B left a voicemail for her, and I love that she gave her some real insight and advice as a friend would. I love that the voicemail was included as the outro.

Walker sat down with Apple Music for an exclusive, saying the album is about growth and pushing passed your circumstances. She explains:

“Take this opportunity to learn from my mistakes. You don’t have to guess if something is love. Love is shown through actions. Stop making excuses for people who don’t show up for you. Don’t ignore the red flags. And don’t think you have to stay somewhere ’cause you can’t find better””you can and you will. Don’t settle for less””you don’t deserve it and neither does your family.”

“No Love” really goes all in on vocals, encapsulating the overall theme of the record: not taking shit from anyone. There comes a point after a series of heartbreak from multiple situations or just one person in love that you get tired of putting up with it. Still Over It is incredibly relatable, especially with “Throw It Away,” describing a relationship in which the object of your affection seemingly doesn’t care, and in turn feeling indifferent, and deciding to walk away.

Each track under 3 minutes, I was surprised to find I was left wanting more. When you read between the lines of this record, it’s clear Walker has gone through a great deal that led to this outpouring of her new music. She’s tired of giving out chances and getting nothing back which is completely understandable. Couple that with being in the public eye, I have no doubt it would be difficult at best to maintain a relationship, not to mention a clear head. That goes for relationships of any kind, I would find it difficult to maintain connections in general””family, friends, and romantic partners in that headspace.

“Unloyal” unveils some beautiful saxophone and keys, nostalgic of the blues era we see referenced in the movies. Backing vocals add to the picturesque atmosphere created on this track, unapologetic about being self-sufficient as a woman in the age of sugar daddies and influencers. Not to say that there is anything wrong with these professions in particular, but there is something to be said about a woman who makes her own money honestly and ethically, maintains a circle of upstanding people around her, and doesn’t ask too much of others but finds it in herself to still give back in energy what she receives.

There’s also something to be said about a woman who is private in her relationships, only really giving out details once happiness and well-being is in question. On “Toxic,” Walker herself details “they all up in our koolaid, they don’t know what’s going on,” meaning that people can be nosy, and want to interfere in relationships for whatever reason. She details, “it’s toxic loving you but I don’t know what else to do.”

The shit we be doing

Our Folks call it screwin‘

We be on that dumb shit

That stupid-in-love shit

We both bad at trustin’

Relationships toxic

“Screwin’” is another that really shows you that sexy, sultry vibe Walker was going for with this record. It’s all about getting her own needs met, and if they don’t fulfill that, things go awry. You get a firsthand look into the 21st-century type situationship that you find in the dating scene now, where you’re messing around with each other but without attachment””the kind that leaves no room for meaningful interaction.

The intro on “Broken Promises,” is everything””high pitched, feminine flair exuding a strength that rivals few.

Session 33 shows a deeper, more vulnerable side to Walker where she’s reflecting on the type of person that comes in and out of existence, who’s seeing other people but refuses to change for the better. In this case, it could be the father of her child, making it all the more sad. “Leave your family in the pouring rain, and I don’t think you’ll ever change your ways,” is a line that stuck out to me.  She goes on, “A house is not a home when no one’s there. You refuse to let me walk out your life, but you refuse to match up with my vibe. You keep wasting my time.”  

While I’m not a religious person myself I can appreciate the beliefs some religions stand by. “Ciara’s Prayer” was a nice ending to a record that showed heartbreak, toxicity, growth, strength, and forward movement. It utilizes an excerpt from the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 13:4 we so often hear at weddings, made popular in movies and on television.

The new international version is as follows:

1 Corinthians 13

1

If I speak in the tongues [1] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

2

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, [2] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

6

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

9

For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

10

but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

11

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

12

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

[1] Or languages

[3] Some early manuscripts body that I may boast

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