Normani knows some things are worth the wait, and nothing more than a debut album. The Fifth Harmony alum’s 2019 song “Motivation” catapulted the triple threat into a solo career with an irresistible cascade hook and choreography-rich music video to rival Britney Spears’ and Janet Jackson’s best. Normani has spent the years since the hit single honing down a full-length introduction to follow, and encountering nearly as many roadblocks as routes to success. After her mother and father were both diagnosed with cancer, Normani tells Apple Music, “There were days that, honestly, I didn't feel like getting out of bed. It's hard to be creative and hard to be motivated and continue to be inspired, because this is life or death.” But seeing her mom still find the strength mid-chemotherapy to check in on her daughter's studio progress, Normani realised pursuing her passion helped her parents persevere through their own recovery. “I feel like I've been in preparation and in hiding for so long,” she shares. “It's not easy, too, seeing everybody have their opportunity and moment and me constantly feeling like I can't catch a break. So that's why I don't take this moment for granted. I'm grateful that it's finally come.” “This moment” arrives with DOPAMINE, a studied, seductive pop record that coats reflections on sex, love and confidence with a glistening trap sheen. While smoother ballads like “All Yours” and “Insomnia” stay in direct conversation with vanguard hip-hop, Normani turns up the cowbell on standout single “Candy Paint” to hit the sweet spot of early Destiny’s Child, Brandy and Cassie hits. Polished but never impersonal, DOPAMINE is imbued with Normani’s individual strengths, apparent in every beat pocket and gem of Southern vernacular. The formative years she spent in Houston shine through on the horn-laden opener “Big Boy” and “Still”, which samples Mike Jones’ regional classic “Still Tippin’”. Recent history also gets its due throughout the album—Normani admits to Apple Music a new boyfriend with a no-joke fitness routine “inspired a few of the records”. Although DOPAMINE expertly highlights a lush and measured style Normani has been focusing on since “Motivation”, she still has new tricks up her sleeve. “Tantrums” darts down experimental pathways with a little help from vocals by James Blake, one of Normani’s self-proclaimed favourite artists. ("We had a lot of different versions of this song, but he was down from beginning to end,” she recalls fondly of the collaboration. “No complaints.”) Contributions from Cardi B and Gunna round out the elegant portrait of a deeply intentional artist who’s more than ready for the rocket-ship rise depicted on DOPAMINE’s cover and evoked by its carefully chosen title. “My fans have been waiting... It's pretty unique for people to still be waiting this long,” Normani shares. “And like I said, I'm grateful for that. So I like to think of this record as the dopamine hit.”