You know that specific feeling when you’re not quite over someone, but you’re also kind of over the drama? It’s that weird, purgatory-like headspace. That is exactly where Snoh Aalegra - Ugh, those feels again lives. Released back in 2019, this album didn't just come and go. It lingered. Honestly, it’s became a bit of a modern blueprint for what people now call "cinematic soul."
It’s been a few years, but if you put on "I Want You Around" today, it still feels like a warm, velvet blanket. Or maybe a glass of wine you definitely shouldn’t have poured at 11:00 PM on a Tuesday.
The Magic of Snoh Aalegra - Ugh, those feels again
Most artists try too hard. They want the viral TikTok hook or the over-produced synth-pop explosion. Snoh went the other way. She went for restraint. Working with legendary executive producer No I.D., she crafted something that sounds expensive but feels private.
The title itself—- Ugh, those feels again—is basically a mood. It’s that exhausted sigh you let out when you realize you’re falling for someone who is probably going to be a problem. Or when you're looking at a text you know you shouldn't reply to. It’s relatable because it’s not about "fairytale" love; it’s about the messy, "situationship" side of things.
Why the "Cinematic" Label Actually Fits
People throw around the word "cinematic" a lot in music reviews. Usually, it just means there are some strings. But with this project, it’s about the pacing. The intro, "Here Now," sets a stage with those pitched-up vocals that feel like a dream sequence starting.
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Then you hit the meat of the album:
- "Situationship": The anthem for anyone who has ever been "more than friends" but "not quite a thing."
- "Whoa": A track that literally sounds like a sunset.
- "Toronto": A deep-bass, late-night vibe that pays homage to a city known for its moody R&B.
- "Charleville 9200, Pt. II": A sequel to her earlier work that shows the growth from "I love you" to "How did we get here?"
What Most People Get Wrong About This Album
There’s a misconception that this is just a "breakup album." That’s too simple. If you listen closely to the lyrics in "Nothing to Me" or "Peace," you realize it’s actually an album about self-worth.
Snoh has mentioned in interviews that while her first album, FEELS, was written while she was deep in a long-term relationship, this one was written from a place of being single. It’s reflective. It’s about the transition from being someone’s "half" to being a whole person again.
No Features, No Problem
One thing that stands out? There are zero guest verses. No rappers jumping in for a 16-bar verse to boost the streaming numbers. It’s just Snoh. This was a bold move in 2019 and remains impressive now. It keeps the listener locked into her specific frequency. You aren't distracted by a change in energy; you’re just floating in her world for 40 minutes.
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The Production Secret: No I.D. and the Dream Team
You can’t talk about Snoh Aalegra - Ugh, those feels again without mentioning the production. No I.D. (who worked with Jay-Z on 4:44) brought a level of sophistication that most R&B lacks.
The beats are "dusty." They sound like they were sampled from a crate of records found in a basement in 1974, even though most of it is original instrumentation. It creates this "nostalgia for a time you never lived through" feeling. It’s smooth jazz meets hip-hop soul.
The Impact on Modern R&B
Since this album dropped, we've seen a wave of artists trying to mimic this specific "aesthetic soul." But they usually miss the vulnerability. Snoh’s voice has this slight rasp—this "huskiness"—that makes her sound like she’s whispering a secret directly to you.
It’s not about vocal gymnastics or hitting the highest note possible. It’s about the feeling.
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How to Truly Experience the Album Today
If you’re revisiting it or hearing it for the first time, don't shuffle it. Please.
The tracklist is ordered to take you through a cycle. It starts with the excitement of new attraction ("I Want You Around"), moves through the confusion of the "middle" phase ("Situationship"), hits the realization of toxicity ("Be Careful"), and finally lands on "Peace."
Actionable Listening Steps:
- Find the right environment: This is not gym music. It’s "driving home at night" music or "doing skincare at 10:00 PM" music.
- Pay attention to the interludes: "Njoy" and "Be Careful" are short, but they bridge the emotional gaps of the longer songs.
- Check the lyrics to "You": If you've ever felt like you're losing yourself in someone else, this song will probably make you cry. In a good way.
- Look at the visuals: The album cover is a stark, black-and-white portrait. It matches the "naked" honesty of the lyrics.
The reality is, Snoh Aalegra - Ugh, those feels again didn't need to chase trends because it created its own lane. It’s a timeless piece of art that reminds us that being in our feels isn't a weakness—it's just part of being human.
Next Steps for R&B Fans:
To get the most out of Snoh's discography, compare this album to her 2021 follow-up, TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES. You'll notice how she moves from the "earthy" tones of Ugh, those feels again into more experimental, electronic-tinged R&B, showing the evolution of her "cinematic" sound.