alt. monday 040

In case you were wondering, the art for this week's alt mondays is abridged from the album cover for Nigerian-American singer, Serena Isioma's 2020 EP, Sensitive. For a tape titled and packaged in this manner, you'd expect the title track and lead single to at least thrive on emotionality — but with Serena, things will probably be never so easily predictable.

"Fuck, niggas always trying to take my shit. How you gon' feel when I go take your bitch, nigga?” Serena, rap-sings on the bodacious opening lines of "Sensitive". For context, this comes after a vocoded sample of a male voice saying Yo, fuck you, Serena, you're a bitch. And no doubt in response, throughout the track, you can hear the rage in Serena's voice as she flirts with the idea of vengeance. The casual observation here is that there is empowerment in the realisation that most aggressors cannot take the poison they dish.

#dazeofreckoning takes thematic inspiration from Serena Isioma's "Sensitive", featuring a collection of songs about turning tables and reclaiming your personal space and power. While it may be safe to leave revenge to karma, there's nothing like a little self-preservation as a reminder of who the fuck you are. So this week, dive into tracks like Jay-Z "Moment of Clarity", Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black", Saweetie's "Back To The Streets", Alina Baraz's "Unfold", and Serena Isioma's "Sensitive" itself. Also stream new music from Ayüü, preetyboyDO, PsychoYP, Shura, TeniTheEntertainer and more.

Stream alt. mondays 040 via Apple Music below