Fresh off a breakthrough Coachella performance, the genreless singer, rapper and flautist has been having a meteoric rise this year, appearing as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race and promoting her empowering self-love anthems across the late-night TV circuit. 

Cuz I Love You is a project infused with Lizzo’s infectious personality, dropping quotable and fun rap lyrics while also translating her loud, unapologetic nature into passionate and impressively soulful R&B material. Thirty seconds into the opening title track, Lizzo has already sung a full-voiced a cappella soul belt, and giggled as she raps.  

Structured more like a series of high-octane dance floor fillers than a cohesive album, it still works because Lizzo’s all-out celebration of all aspects of her identity is genuinely inspiring. She celebrates body positivity on “Tempo,” interracial love on “Better in Color” and enjoys the single life on “Soulmate.”  

Songs written for the primary purpose of being a feel-good anthem can often elicit eye-rolls, but Lizzo is both authentically herself and inclusive enough that it’ll make anyone want to join her party. 

Best Track: “Juice”

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