Lolo Zouaï’s High-Concept Hyphy Heaven

A FEW YEARS AGO, Lolo Zouaï was working at a Bareburger in New York. Then her viral hit “Desert Rose” helped land her a spot opening for Dua Lipa. This fall, she released one of 2022’s more engaging and inventive concept albums in Playgirl, her breakthrough second LP. The album dives into three separate characters based on different aspects of her personality: Playgirl, Dreamgirl, and Partygirl. Each character has its own musical mood, from spirited jams to soft R&B to moody pop. The title track is even inspired by raunchy Bay Area rap icon Too $hort’s hyphy sound, and the whole thing makes for a brilliant immersive experience.