GRAMMY® Nominee Ari Lennox Checks In With VACANCY and Stays for a LATE CHECKOUT
“Lennox balances jazz-soaked tradition with flashes of unruly humour and a surefire viral hit.” —The Guardian
Ari Lennox has never been afraid to unpack her feelings, and with Vacancy and Vacancy: Late Checkout, she’s brought enough emotional baggage for an extended stay. Vacancy (Interscope) finds Ari Lennox settling into a space that has always suited her: grown-up R&B that can be sensual, funny, vulnerable and completely unguarded, sometimes all at once. “Soft Girl Era” captures that spirit with Lennox embracing the idea that life—and love—doesn’t always have to be hard, reuniting her with hitmakers Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox and longtime producer, Elite. “Under the Moon” wraps a nighttime romance in vintage R&B atmosphere and just enough mystery to make things interesting. Lennox plays with the song’s slightly spooky premise rather than taking it too seriously, even slipping a werewolf howl into the performance. It’s sexy, playful and totally Ari. “Company,” featuring Buju Banton, adds another notable collaboration to Vacancy, bringing Lennox together with the Jamaican artist for a little reggae flair.
On October 2, the world of Vacancy got an encore on Vacancy: Late Checkout, which added nine songs and, true to its title, gives Lennox a little more time to unpack the emotional baggage. “Hookah Baby” opens the extension in an atmospheric haze, while “Show Me,” “Slide,” “Speak Your Mind” and the self-aware “Hot Mess” move through desire, honesty and the reality that none of us has everything figured out. Taken together, Vacancy and its deluxe counterpart, Vacancy: Late Checkout feel less like two separate destinations than one extended stay; one where Lennox has plenty to say about love, companionship and what happens when you finally get comfortable enough to say exactly what you want.
GRAMMY®-nominated singer and songwriter Ari Lennox emerged as one of contemporary R&B’s most distinctive voices with her debut album Shea Butter Baby, followed by age/sex/location and songs including “Pressure.” Along the way, her rich, instantly recognizable vocals and conversational songwriting have made even her most intimate observations feel communal. Vacancy, her third studio album, and Vacancy: Late Checkout expands that chapter with new material while keeping the focus firmly on the wit, vulnerability and vocal personality that have defined her work.
For more information on Ari Lennox and Vacancy, visit AriLennox.com.
CATCH ARI ON AUSTIN CITY LIMITS!
Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter Ari Lennox brings her soulful vocals, effortless Groove and magnetic presence to ACL. She performs highlights from her acclaimed album Vacancy alongside fan favorites "Soft Girl Era" and "Shea Butter Baby."
Tune in TONIGHT at 8:00PM CT on PBS!
For more info visit PBS.
