Chocolat – Cyber Angel – New Album Review

Pop/R&B | Maxis Music | Release Date: January 1, 2024

Nearly two years after their debut album, Chocolat is back refreshed and fully charged.

The girls deliver us from the mundane pop music with Cyber Angel. This New Years gift to their fans comes with a new experimental sound. Jo-1, oldest sister, Neoma’s long time partner, takes the lead as the head producer of this project. Jo-1 makes sure to decorate the album with heavy synths, and snares which gives certain tracks like “Unconditional“, a retro futuristic sound. With songwriting credits belonging solely to the three sisters, the girls combine honest and specific lyrics to each track. Certain tracks could be about Eden’s past relationship with model, Jayde Nava, who has since gained notoriety as being the star’s ex girlfriend.

“I heard you think you’re poppin
Well, tell em where you got it from
Without me, you not shit
I put you on it”
Chocolat – Oochie

Although no easy feat, the girls carry this twelve track album gracefully, excluding one unexpected guest, “Aunt Sonja”, who is their biological aunt. This is a stark comparison to their debut album which featured four other artists. Another contrast to their initial project, the girls each get a chance to shine without overshadowing another. The girls went all-in on genre experimentation by swapping between singing solo, rapping, and sonic harmonizing throughout the project.

This album is perfectly named as it elevates us to another world where the angels are singing us through a plethora of stories. Throughout the album there are themes of vulnerability, resilience and love. In songs like “Heavy” and “Make It Look Easy“, the girls keep it real with life’s daily struggles.

I wanna be light, feel like nothing’s right
If you got the answers, I swear that I’ll listen
I’m ready now
Chocolat – Heavy

While tracks like “Focus” and “Alright” deliver a cheeky message that we have grown accustomed to from their first album, Bad Behavior. Missing from the album is not only their summer smash, Fly Girl, and promo single, Grl Gvng, but also a storyline. Chocolat writes, sings and co produces very well but with this album shows that their delivery (tracks featured and chronology) leaves something to be desired. With only eleven tracks, we wish there was more “meat” in this project. Picking such a low number of tracks for this album, while also leaving popular singles off, is a questionable decision for Chocolat and their label, Maxis Music. Although the album seems to jump around from slower ballads to high energy songs, each song delivers lyrics that read as if they are coming straight from one of their private journals.

Their closing track “Black Mascara” reminds us that they shouldn’t be taken for granted. This track turns the typical dance track into a gateway into their “Cyber World” with it’s hallucinogenic delivery of heavy hitting lyrics. This project feels like a reintroduction of the group. No longer are they girls with bad behavior but women with courage and power.

Most importantly, the project leaves a very clear message: Chocolat is here to stay.

Our Score: