Album Review: The Shindellas, Hits That Stick Like Grits

The Shindellas

Hits that Stick Like Grits (released September 21, 2021)

So, how exactly would you describe the Shindellas to a curious R&B fan?

Hmmmm – it’s almost like if 1994 Brownstone studied the stage presence of 1964 Supremes and wrapped themselves in the aura of your fave 2021 Instagram fashion influencer.

Basically, they’re what the game has been missing.

Tamara Chauniece, Kasi Jones and Stacy Johnson have the Music City roots. They have mentorship of Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony, better known these days as Louis York.

And the vocals. Lawd, they have the vocals.

But the Shindellas are more than just a nostalgic throwback to girl groups gone by – they’re an evolution of the foundation that R&B stood firmly on for the better part of 50 years. Their debut, Hits that Stick Like Grits, is a testament to the legacy of their influences but affirmation that their soulful sound can find an audience today. By the sound of things, they aren’t just hungry; these sistas are famished.

The ladies are happy to talk that talk on the album intro: “Why nobody singing like the rent is due? Why nobody standing up and speaking truth?” – all the while showcasing their stellar three-part harmonies.

If their peers won’t do it, well, they’ll do it themselves. *Thanos voice*

It leads right into “Money,” a song that is chicken soup for the starving R&B fans’ soul. Live instrumentation that bursts with energy. Hand claps straight outta grandma’s choir stand. Well-written lyrics that provide both strong storytelling and substance:

Talking sweet when I know they doubt me
Trying to get close in hopes of stealing my shine
Soon as I turned my back then out comes the knife
Don’t underestimate what they’ll do for fame
Ain’t no secret that these shady people will say
Anything for money

And what’s that I hear? A BRIDGE????

Is … is this the R&B we’ve been searching a decade for?

If your ears have grown accustomed to the 2 minute wonders so many songs have been simplified to in the modern era, the Shindellas are happy to realign your senses. “Volcano Love” is a seven-minute tour de force as streamy as its name proclaims. Despite the lengthy run time, it never wears out its welcome due to the transitioning production on the second half of the track. It’s like an evolving story, one that keeps you engaged throughout.

“Win My Heart” is likewise driven by the emotion of their delivery, as is the stunning “Paradise.” It’s one of those instances where the soaring performance adds to the story of the song. The ladies are experiencing pure bliss and they’re just not telling us – every note is delivered with intention, allowing the listener to share in the emotion of their journey.

That’s the difference between karaoke and artistry, y’all.

But the true winner of the set has to be “When You’re Lonely,” an incredible clapback to a triflin’ lover: “I can’t take too much playing on my phone/so say what it is or leave me alone.” The frustration is palatable but the production is so layered (shout out to those haunting background vocals) and the emotion so raw. While modern-day breakup songs are essentially Twitter rants over dreary production, “When You’re Lonely” bucks the trend by using the group’s patented harmonies to slowly raise the tension as the track progresses. By the end of the song even I’m like ‘yeah that dude is TRASH!’ It’s a masterclass in conveying heartbreak.

Also, shout out to the R&B staple that is the interlude. The album’s three interludes are as noteworthy as the set’s full tracks – “Money (Interlude)” and “Everything (Interlude)” could be strong piano ballads on their own. “Tennessee Rain” takes things to another level, serving as an extension of the track “Feeling the Pain” that precedes it – even eclipsing it by the song’s end.

Clearly, Hits that Stick Like Grits is a landmark debut from the Shindellas. From the gospel-drenched stylings of “Fear Has No Place” to one of the best vocal performances of the year in “Lullaby,” nearly every track is a success story. Sure, the album closers “Posters” and “Happy to See You” aren’t quite as memorable as the songs that preceded them but they’re still well sung nonetheless.

It’s unfair to call Hits that Stick Like Grits a throwback to the way R&B used to be. From the strong songwriting, the engrossing production and the impassioned vocals, this is just how R&B SHOULD be.

Best tracks: “When You’re Lonely,” “Volcano Love,” “Tennessee Rain (Interlude)”

4 stars out of 5