Gifted (album)

The album was preceded by the single "Lockdown", a commentary on the COVID-19 pandemic released in the summer of 2020.[2] Many of the album's lyrics focus on themes of perseverance and overcoming struggles.[3] Gifted expands beyond the dancehall reggae of Koffee's debut EP Rapture (2019), into roots reggae, pop, and R&B influences.[2][4][5] The album's lyrics include homages to influential reggae musicians and Jamaican culture, and includes a prominent sample from "Redemption Song" by Bob Marley.[3]

The album received generally favorable reviews from critics, often due to its positive lyrical attitude. Pitchfork praised the album as "Breezy, uplifting, and never forced" with a "a proud and pure undertone" to Koffee's performances.[2] NME praised Koffee's "effortless vocals, smart lyricism and obvious ability to craft new bangers".[6] Rolling Stone praised the album as "a portrait of a brilliant young artist keenly aware of the miracles that lift her up".[4] Medium noted that the album's title is a valid description of Koffee's abilities, and concluded that the album "fires on all cylinders" with a "sunny and multifaceted" sound, but at just 28 minutes it is too short to satisfy all listeners.[7]

Some reviewers were more critical. For example, a reviewer for Slant Magazine stated that the album's boastful attitude and frequent allusions to modern trends "can feel awkward and misplaced", while the album only partially displays Koffee's strengths as a singer and songwriter.[8] The Guardian noted that Koffee's "desire to appeal to a broad audience causes the album to stumble", and added that some genre experiments are uninspired, but concluded that the album is generally "smart and inventive".[5]