A really good filler episode doesn't feel like a filler episode.
Towards the end of Avatar: The Last Airbender there's an episode titled "The Ember Island Players".
Most people would write this episode off as a filler episode, but while it is a halt in the show’s physical movement, "The Ember Island Players" served as a pivotal episode in the show's progression.
The episode sparked several major storylines such as: stressing the uncertainty between Aang and Katara's relationship, creating a relationship between two of the main characters(Toph and Zuko) and introducing the inner conflict of Aang having to choose between peace and murder.
It's a great episode, and if my Netflix password didn't also serve as my Twitter/Instagram/Facebook/Gmail/MyUSC/Playstation/Footlocker/Bank password, I'd share my account to provide full context.
Nevertheless, “The Ember Island Players” episode shows progression and dispels misconceptions much like Summer Walker’s Life On Earth.
Unlike the quarantine EPs from other artists, including Summer Walker labelmate 6LACK's 6pc Hot, Life On Earth sounds important to her progression.
Before we even get into the music, the EP's rollout was the first sign of Summer Walker's progression. From her laid back BET Awards performance to hosting laser tags in Atlanta, everything associated with this project felt more like Summer Walker than Over It.
Walker seems to be one of the few artists to benefit from the restrictions of quarantine, as it has freed her from in-person press runs and forced national TV appearances. The restrictions allow her to escape behind her music and come off as the closest version of her initial self.
"Let It Go" is the best example of Walker's return to self.
Despite multiple high-ranking producers being credited on the song, the lead track gives the impression of Walker's low-profile debut. The production feels minimal, and it allows the song's heavy messaging to lead the way.
"Let It Go is about when you are so blindly in love that you fail to see the person you’re in love with for who they really are. After ignoring all the signs and your intuition, you get to a point where you just gotta let it go, " said Walker via Apple Music.
London on da Track's renowned production on Over It helped push Walker into mainstream R&B stardom, but as great as the sound of the award-nominated project was, Walker's subject matter has always been what makes her music special.
"My Affection" is one of the least heralded songs on the EP, but it shows off Walker's unmatched ability to make quality songs out of complex situations. There are a million songs about a post-glowup person curving the person that previously curved them, but only Summer Walker would make a song admitting to still wanting the person that curved them pre-glowup.
Summer Walker's willingness to address the unaddressed separates her from other artists and makes her stand out in a loaded genre. No song illustrates the separation better than the EP's standout, "White Tees".
"[No1-Noah] talks about treating someone like a white tee. You know you always wanna keep a white tee fresh and clean, but in my verse, I’m basically saying the opposite," said Walker via Apple Music.
No1-Noah sticks to the song's concept and delivers a spotless performance only for Summer Walker to go in a completely different direction, steal the show and take the song to another level. A song about loyalty and protecting love somehow turned grippingly sensual with one short Walker verse.
The EP's only blemish is one No1-Noah verse too many.
His chorus assistance on "SWV" was a great addition, but his verse is filled with run-of-the-mill sex lyrics.
When Summer Walker is referencing one of R&B's greatest sexual allegories, the feature has to come harder(no pun intended) than, "To touchin' you up and feelin' your thighs like, closer, once I give you this dick, I'ma ruin your life, oh".
Final Score: 8/10
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