Whoever’s putting it down on Ari Lennox, needs to start giving lessons.
Lennox saunters into the new year with her third full length album, Vacancy after a 4-year break. Produced by big names Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, BoogzDaBeast, Elite, J White Did It, and Tommy “TBHits” Brown. We are again graced with her silky vocals and cool, old-school R&B melodies.
The smooth saxophone urges us to come hither into the album in “Mobbin in DC”. Like most of the tracks, there’s no danger of it sounding overproduced. With a simple drum beat, guitar chords and slinky sax have become synonymous with Lennox’s more relaxed tunes.
The heat is ramped up in title track “Vacancy”, coupled with “Pretzel” straight afterwards. There’s no beating around the bush with her raunchy metaphors; “got some walls that need painting, rearranging // see them legs on the table, kinda shaky”. Lending to Lennox’s more playful side, the perfect balance between sexy and unserious. The deeper, bassier sound in “Pretzel” is very reminiscent of the late, great D’angelo.
Step aside Team Edward, we are all Team Jacob with “Under the Moon”. This was instantly my favourite track. With it’s ‘50s barber shop undertones and Lennox’s intoxicating vocal flips, it really encapsulates how revolutionary intimacy can be. The soft guitar under the vocals as it draws to a close was more than welcome. However, I would have really appreciated a soulful, sexy guitar solo to put the cherry on top. I trust someone on the internet will put out a rendition for me to find. (Come through for me algorithm!)
The middle of the album has a few pitfalls. “High Key”, while again showcasing her incredible vocals, lacks character in comparison to the previous tracks. The short, blunt notes are annoying to listen to. “Twin Flame” is better, referencing the 1994 erotic drama starring Jada Pinkett and Alan Payne Jason’s Lyric. The drawling breakdown keeps it interesting but it still didn’t stand out to me. The first single from Vacancy, “Soft Girl Era”, almost put me off writing this review. It reminds me of Lizzo’s early, sugary sweet Pop. although I have nothing against Lizzo, it’s just not for me. The take me to church harmonies coupled with innuendos that would make the congregations toes curl is fun, but it doesn’t hit like her baby making tracks.
We promptly get back on track with “Deep Strokes” the echoey, dark sound effects remind me of Childish Gamibno’s Awaken My Love, so this song was bound to be a hit with me. It isn’t the most revolutionary, but I needed it after to quench the thirst “Soft Girl Era” gave me. “24 Seconds” has a deeper R&B feel. Lennox is tired of waiting for this man, but she is well and truly dickmatized; “It’s a vibe I only get around you”.
“Horoscope has a dramatic, orchestral into as Lennox runs through each sign and their subsequent flaws. “Ho is horoscope” is a cheeky tag line that again highlights the singer’s sense of humour.
I got a whiff of reggae in “Cool Down” with bouncy, syncopation, little did I know I had “Company” Ft Buja Banton ahead of me! A proper summer banger in the making. The genre change is a great mix up and somehow managers to fit right in. Banton’s voice is a give great contrast to Lennox’s that keeps interest. This needs to be on every summer ’26 playlist.
Being a horror film buff, I appreciate the nods to werewolves in “Under the Moon” and again in “Dreaming”; “a nightmare Freddie Kru”. Dreaming has a classic neo soul sound with harmonious organ and delicious tastes of slap bass. “Hocus Pocus” closes much in the same way as the album began. The chord progression reminds me of Solonge’s “Mad” Ft Lil Wayne but of course with a sultry, sophisticated edge.
The vast majority of Vacancy is what I think she does best, baby making music. I think the Pop tracks are just wasted as they just fall short in comparison. This album lacks a little bit of charm next to Lennox’s 2018 album Shea Butter but her sound has evidently matured and still doesn’t take itself too seriously fir the most part. “Company” shows real potential and I hope she ventures into more reggae in the future.