Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill REVIEW by Aaron B.

                                               

Simple is as simple does, so she’s a genius. I don’t like the bits about God. The only skit worth a giggle is the one where the kid dreamily utters ‘love…’. And she’s always functioned better as a world-beating rapper with witty rejoinders to boot than a dextrous if soul-lacking singer looking to diversify. Especially now Pras and Wyclef are off the leash. 

The main difference between this and The Score is in the production; in the fine and organic beats straddling through “Lost Ones”, to the fiery pain of “I Used To Love Him”. From the sparse coos of “Nothing Even Matters” to the trickling piano coda signalling delight in the closer, it all wins. What’s here is immense, broad and clear, but she’d do well to spread the dextrous voice she sees fit to deploy only when she’s sharing the mic. 

As of now we’re nearing a quarter century since Lauryn’s first and only release. As a refuge of pleasant listlessness it works. But there’s no denying it - coming of age has taken the shine off. Better yet, there’s two straight-up love songs to add to a warm rally of fourteen if you stretch to the bonus cuts. 

Had she made greater strides talking about love rather than the meaning of it, this wouldn’t now seem so pretentiously deep.

Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, 4/5


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