[REVIEW] Mariah The Scientist Fights For Love On Toy Soldier Themed Lp ‘HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY’

Thomas Melia
Aug 29
2 min read

Updated: Sep 9

Atlanta R&B act Mariah the Scientist positions herself at the ‘HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY’ military base and aims to rule victorious through a 10 track, 80’s inspired, love-engrossed call to arms, under soldier pseudonym Buckles.

Mariah the Scientist, full name Mariah Amani Buckles, is known for her ability to craft worlds with each album and project she drops, HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY continues this feat.

The album’s opener, ‘Sacrifice’ sets a very clear tone for the 40-minute love-protest ahead acknowledging, “I’m all out of pages to turn / So I’ll read this out loud” with a direct 80’s callback from its deep-chime synths and echoey drums.

‘United Nations + 1000 Ways to Die’ follows and is one of two double tracks on the record. The latter takes the spotlight, a two-minute number dedicated to yearning, paired with an echo chamber of snaps, clicks and synths. Chef’s kiss.

One of the strongest points on Hearts Sold Separately is ‘Eternal Flame’. The title is fitting as this song will be on repeat for the foreseeable. Its lyrics are itch-scratching,” The two of us just can’t be tamed” and “A match I know the heavens made” are just two examples.

The album’s second single, a duet with crooner and fellow love enthusiast Kali Uchis presses on with the love battle and its chorus poses some important questions, much like its title ‘Is It a Crime’.

A murky-trap melody soundtracks the two as Mariah professes, “I love the way that you walk and the air you breathe” while Uchis plainly states, “If loving me is jail, then you’re my prisoner”. The two bond sonically as they flaunt their kind-heartedness and loving nature.

The album’s lead single ‘Burning Blue’ feels like a timeless melody, partly since it has gone on to become Mariah’s highest scoring Billboard Hot 100 chart entry to date.

If the Bridgerton producers were looking for a modern-day classic to rework look no further than this– After all, the violins are already a main feature of this Ms. Scientist classic.

From the shout-it-from-the-rooftops lead single comes a Marvin Gaye-‘Sexual Healing’-twanged double track ‘All I Want + In Pursuit’. The comforting lyrics and steamy synths feel like that moment when all worries disappear, and all attention is diverted to that person - it’s desire in its truest form.

The album’s swan song is a London on da Track produced realisation. ‘No More Entertainers’ concludes Buckles’ love battle with lyrics like, “I know you’ll never be more / You’re just an entertainer”, Mariah realises her emotions will always outweigh any of her lovers.

★★★★

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