The Deep End with AMEA on The Learning Tree II
Following up on her 2017 project “The Learning Tree Part 1”, AMEA shares the growth she’s been on since the project & gives us an excellent update on her presence now in the life she’s endured so far. We break down each track off the album to give you all a little antidote to our listening experience as we dive into the deep end in the “The Learning Tree II.”
Run Around:
The introduction is a swift and vast relaxing record that is less than a minute, yet it's a nice upbeat vibe that's expected to keep you on cloud nine and adjust your emotions for the rest of the thrill ride in the album.
Sistas:
It's one of the few records we got to bask in before the full release, and it still fits solidly as one of our favorites. AMEA shares the importance of sisterhood, having a group of women that she can spill her soul to while speaking freely without being judged.
Legal Money:
A mesmerizing intake that you get to experience throughout the record really keeps the waves moving forward and the production settling in with her vocals like it's nutritious to the soul. She's going with the flow connected by someone who's floating among the wind's movement. She speaks of making all of your desires come true as long as you stay by her and stick to the script of having this relationship play out smoothly.
When Cuz Cries:
AMEA story tells the nature of heartbreak, lacking the ability to be perfect & struggling without no strength to move forward anymore. It's a deep track, and she lays out these sentiments that no, she isn't perfect, but she can make it work; yeah, she's had some heartbreak. Still, she can love again & right now, struggles in her life are motivating her to push further on, so she is already progressing with everything she is seeking out to accomplish. The tears fall upon her face while riding throughout the city at night, thinking of all these things and knowing it's perfect for someone but that someone right now is who she's still searching for.
Last Cry:
This record is powerful, no doubt since AMEA doesn't waste a single second to start venting, this is her last cry to give over someone, and she wants to spill everything in her for them to understand she's moving on without them. You won't receive any more tears from her, so if you're going to stay, then stay but watch her go and wish you the best on her journey forward.
For The Love:
Right off the back, the production reeled me in where I knew whenever AMEA's vocals touchdown on the beat would be a soulful listening experience. No judgment necessary to how you love, she might have a foreign way of expressing it herself, but at the end of the day, she does it for the L-O-V-E and will always be the shining light that keeps her going.
MTV Cribs:
This is the sound that stars are made from because the background sample is so heavenly it feels like the night sky is smiling upon AMEA's hold to the record. I love the track title because we aspire to have a house like on MTV Cribs. She serenades the beauty of the grind with no one opinion to matter but her own; she launches into the atmosphere with this majestic track capturing a look into her life so far. It's such a delightful joint that will definitely have its multiple spins in rotation on this end.
Milk & Honey:
The last track on the album is so potent since it takes a piece of every track before, creates this sensational sound, and crafts it into art. She is sought out to find the land of milk & honey, it's a carefree existence with money and food to flourish in your surroundings, and she just wants to be touchdown in this location and have life start anew.
It is pure wonderment in this project, a defining reflection of AMEA's journey so far. It's an emotional experience that keeps you pondering throughout since I felt some parts of the record were relatable. Knowing that you aren't the one that's gone through this or currently are is listening in and helping you create back the love that was once missing. My hats off to AMEA & all those that help walk in the path to get this album completed, a forthcoming release to music that I think deserves everyone's ear to take a listen in and become joyous with the sounds that come from it.
Keeping shade under the trees, we spoke with AMEA about her time during the making of this album and some of the highlights she had that come from the recording process of bringing this story to life.
Q: The album is such a genuine expression of R&B & soul, a venting session if you will of your growth over the years, would you say this is perfect way to describe the album or do you have a different meaning for it?
AMEA: I would totally agree. Even more so, a conversation between grief and gratitude. I originally wrote this project concept in my early 20s as a wide eyed individual full of grief. It’s like, how can one be both? You know. And that’s really the core of The Learning Tree II. The reply of Gratitude(wisdom) and “wide-eyeness” to Grief.
Q: We’re there any inspiration leading up the making of this album that played a huge part for you when recording?
AMEA: Without a doubt, part one was a huge inspiration for me to really process what I was able to channel and be sure I listened not just as the channeler. Savage mode 2 and Miguel releasing Art Dealer Chic inspired me a lot too. I was in the process of finalizing recordings, order, ect and I’ve always been a huge Miguel fan. I was kinda just in a fog, that redropped on streaming services and I was like sheesh this is what I needed lol. The way Savage mode 2 told its story inspired me too to tell the story of LT2 in its fashion as well.
Q: I love how you shared “Sistas”, “For The Love”, & “Last Cry” before you dropped the album since I think they play a significant part of how the project flows together, was that always the plan to have it executed like that or did it just happen like that?
AMEA: Thank you! Yeah I was sort of a maniac with how many times I restructured and listened back to the project haha story telling is tough and then when you’re outward paradigm shifts too like it did with the pandemic, it’s like okay you’re really world building world building. I wanted to be sure that gratitude conversation was clear and enough breathe to be personal to each listener.
Q: The unique comparison of listening to both part one and part two is I notice you’ve always been comfortable in your element when you can dig deep in your soul and pour it out on a record, is that something that plays a factor when you write or does it come off naturally when you record?
AMEA: Yeah; I think because my early roots of music since even before the womb were so much engrained in gospel (call and response) and hip hop I just always naturally freestyled and would be beating on desks,whatever. That very personal and comfortability in sharing vulnerabilities in healing plays a huge part in my music.
Q: The recent pandemic saw many artists and creative go through a withdrawal of not being able to perform, visit the studio as frequent or be able to connect with fans, did you have any remedies yourself that helped you during quarantine to cope with these sudden losses?
AMEA: Rest, lots of rest. Lots of shifting my perspectives with what grief means and how to share gratitude. At the end of the day, artists love connecting. I took it as a time to really go within and dive deeper into my communities. I hosted a series on IG called “Open Sesh” with some of my fave producers and many from LT2 throughout the summer. Rest. 🤍
Q: With things opening back up slowly, will the fans have an opportunity to see some of these songs in a live setting soon?
AMEA: I totally look forward to seeing folk who support me in a live safe setting within due time, yes!
Q: Any plans for a visual from the project to be release in the near future? I know I would love to see a video “For The Love” to surfaced soon.
AMEA: I’m glad you said that, because actually yes! Coming soon ;)
Q: If you can have someone new or existing to your catalog take anything away from listening this album, what would it be and why?
AMEA: Seek to inspire yourself, love yourself, and take time to dream.
Q. I know it’s been about 5 years since the release of The Learning Tree Part One, what highlights have happen in your musical journey since then and did it have an inspiration to create any record on here?
AMEA: Highlights, I would definitely say being closer to family. Without a doubt, When Cuz Cries is definitely #1.
Q: Last question I have is, what motivates AMEA? What makes you wake up in the morning and know that the music is your route in life and this is what you want to do?
AMEA: God/Love. I am music, I am art.