Embodying the old sounds of The Weeknd, Chxrry22 drops her debut 7-track EP, The Other Side
By: Bana Yirgalem
(XO Records/Republic)
Chxrry22 (pronounced ‘Cherry 22’) was born in Scarborough to Ethiopian immigrants and started releasing music online in 2017. Once she gained a listenership online, she then moved to Atlanta to further pursue her music career.
After being signed to XO Records, founded by fellow Torontonian and singer The Weeknd, making her the first female artist signed to the label, Chxrry22 dropped her debut EP The Other Side—that alone gave her a huge jumpstart to her career. With The Weeknd providing her with leadership and guidance, Chxrry22 is on the path to great success.
For those unfamiliar with XO Records, the Canadian record label was founded by singer-songwriter The Weeknd, his managers Wassim Slaiby and Amir “Cash” Esmailian, and his creative director La Mar Taylor. They currently have four artists – The Weeknd, Nav, Belly and her – signed under the label, with Chxrry22 being their latest addition.
In a press release with Complex Canada, Chxrry22 said that “The Other Side is about coming to terms with duality – we all have two sides. We can be both the villain and the victim in some story and this is me owning that.”
That is indeed the case with the opening title track of the EP. Chxrry22 opens up in the song about the toxic relationship between her and her significant other.
“Let’s not act like I’m to blame
When you fucked up and I forgave”
She continues the song by explaining how she has prospered and exceeded for herself after leaving her lover, saying that she’s on the ‘other side’ and he is stuck where he is: “You're watchin' my dreams come to life (To life, to life)”
The Falls is more of a sultry track filled with toxic vibes and lyrics. She sings with passion in an alluring way, paired with the slowed-down guitar, drums, and melody, which makes the song so appealing. The opening lyrics insinuate that she fell into the temptation of cheating. The chorus lyrics explain that even though what she did was wrong, she’s not going to admit she’s sorry due to her pride.
As the track continues, she explains to her partner that you have to prioritize yourself because, at the end of the day, it’s only going to be you; “You bе in your feelings knowing you're a filler/I'm doing my thing, you should do the same.”
Call Me almost feels like a continuation of The Falls but the storyline is somewhat reversed like she’s calling her significant other after her infidelity to fix what’s been broken. But she simply wants to mend things more on the physical side, rather than the emotional side. The song’s haunting R&B sounds, enhanced by equally haunting lyrics and instrumentation, allow the listener to recall the similar sounds found in The Falls.
The other four tracks on the album tie in together with the above three songs. The EP’s storyline allows you to join Chxrry22 throughout her success, infidelity and toxic and remorseful lifestyles that often feel inevitable in relationships. She admitted in an Instagram caption, “I don’t write about anything I haven’t done or been through so when you hear these songs just know it’s coming from my heart.”
Her ability to be emotionally open in her lyrics shows that she has a gift for songwriting. The incapacity of some artists to open themselves up wholly to their audiences seldom goes unnoticed by fans– this isn’t the case with Chxrry22 who shares her rights and wrongs with us. She’s showing herself musically, and this lyrical maturity is what draws others to her music.
Although this is her first EP, the way her voice is evocative yet angelic makes Chxrry22 stand out. Her sound is different and fresh, and her EP was released just in time for the cold fall nights.
Check out the fill album here: