"Spotless Mind" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Jhené Aiko | ||||
from the album Souled Out | ||||
Released | August 19, 2014 (promo) January 21 2015 (single) |
|||
Recorded | 2012 | |||
Genre | PBR&B | |||
Length | 4:29 | |||
Label | Def Jam, Artium | |||
Songwriter(s) | Jhené Aiko Chilombo, No I.D. | |||
Producer(s) | No. I.D. | |||
Jhené Aiko singles chronology | ||||
|
"Spotless Mind" is a song by American recording artist Jhene Aiko, taken from her first studio album, Souled Out (2014). The song premiered on August 18, 2014 and was released for digital download on August 19, 2014, as the first promotional single and pre-order song from the album through ARTium Recordings and Def Jam Recordings. The song was written by Aiko in forty-five minutes using GarageBand during her tour with Lauryn Hill and Nas, while the production was handled by frequent collaborator No. I.D..
"Spotless Mind" is an R&B song containing a "chill beat" and an "island vibe", backed by a "funky bass, gentle rhythm and acoustic guitars, the song lyrically speaks about Aiko being a wanderer. Upon release Spotless Mind was met with generally positive reviews from music critics; who praised the song's lyrical content and Aiko's vocals, however reception was mixed when it came to the song's production.
In 2014 Aiko revealed she worked with No I.D., Key Wayne, Fisticuffs and Dot Da Genius and stated she would only be working with them so the sound was cohesive, she also revealed that her and the producers were working together in order to "make sure each song goes well with the other." Aiko wrote the song while on tour with Lauryn Hill and Nas, and was written in 45 minutes using GarageBand. She later said that "Spotless Mind" was the easiest song on the album to write. Aiko also revealed that “Eternal Sunshine” and then “Spotless Mind" titles where inspired by a film entitled Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). On August 19, 2014 the song was released through the iTunes Store as a promotional single from "Souled Out" in the United States, people who pre-ordered "Souled Out" at the iTunes Store received a free download of "Spotless Mind."
"Spotless Mind" is a "smooth" track built over a "chill beat" and contains an "island vibe". The song is predominately an R&B track that is backed by a "funky bass, gentle rhythm and acoustic guitars" inspired by soft rock. Lyrically Aiko wanders into a reverie, which she discusses different love and mental rest stops that she's visited. The themes and concept of Aiko being a wanderer, are introduced with lyrics including "Started as a love song, 24 years in the making / Moving from place to place and I never really settled down".