The soundtrack for the second season of Issa Rae's
Insecure is similar to the 2016 volume in that it features progressive, predominantly noncommercial R&B and rap from artists who are mostly upcoming or recently established. There's a greater amount of original material, such as
Jazmine Sullivan and
Bryson Tiller's quarrelsome title song,
Jorja Smith's "Fine Line," and
SZA's excellent "Quicksand" (which would've been a highlight off the singer's
Ctrl, released earlier in the year). Leading the previously released highlights is
Nao's empyrean ballad "Feels Like." These tracks reflect the show's hip style and range of emotions, from elation to anguish, along with the depth of Rae's unsparing lead character. Rae doesn't offer a sequel to "Broken Pussy," but slices of the season's most memorable scenes are incorporated as interludes. ~ Andy Kellman