Sometimes you have to step back to move forward. Coming to
that realization - let alone taking that crucial first step - can be a daunting
endeavour. Now on the other side of a self-imposed four-year hiatus, India.Arie
returns with the most illuminating album of her career. Recorded in Atlanta and
Los Angeles, India.Arie’s fifth studio album features additional production
from singer/songwriter David Ryan Harris and songwriter Michael Ruff. The
result is a compelling snapshot of her hard-won breakthrough to simultaneous
personal and artistic growth. “This is where I’ve been for the last four
years,” reflects the singer. “I’ve struggled most of my career to feel
comfortable with how things were, how I was treated, the politics of the music
industry. I needed to pull back from the public eye to ground myself and rebuild
my life and career. It’s a process many of us go through: spiritual maturation,
spiritual awakening, clearing out the old and starting anew.” Her inner renewal
pulsates throughout SongVersation, starting with lead single “Cocoa Butter.”
The mid-tempo groove and image-rich verses mirror the soothing balm that is the
song’s namesake. “Your love is like cocoa butter on my heart … \ I show you my
burns \ you show me lessons learned,” sings a re-energized India.Arie. The
singer exudes quiet power on the non-apologetic “Life I Know” as well as the
empowerment-themed “Just Do You.” With its spare instrumentation, honest and
engaging lyrics framed by melodic R&B, SongVersation finds India.Arie
coming back full circle to the basics that captivated a global legion of fans
on debut album Acoustic Soul.
Sometimes you have to step back to move forward. Coming to
that realization - let alone taking that crucial first step - can be a daunting
endeavour. Now on the other side of a self-imposed four-year hiatus, India.Arie
returns with the most illuminating album of her career. Recorded in Atlanta and
Los Angeles, India.Arie’s fifth studio album features additional production
from singer/songwriter David Ryan Harris and songwriter Michael Ruff. The
result is a compelling snapshot of her hard-won breakthrough to simultaneous
personal and artistic growth. “This is where I’ve been for the last four
years,” reflects the singer. “I’ve struggled most of my career to feel
comfortable with how things were, how I was treated, the politics of the music
industry. I needed to pull back from the public eye to ground myself and rebuild
my life and career. It’s a process many of us go through: spiritual maturation,
spiritual awakening, clearing out the old and starting anew.” Her inner renewal
pulsates throughout SongVersation, starting with lead single “Cocoa Butter.”
The mid-tempo groove and image-rich verses mirror the soothing balm that is the
song’s namesake. “Your love is like cocoa butter on my heart … \ I show you my
burns \ you show me lessons learned,” sings a re-energized India.Arie. The
singer exudes quiet power on the non-apologetic “Life I Know” as well as the
empowerment-themed “Just Do You.” With its spare instrumentation, honest and
engaging lyrics framed by melodic R&B, SongVersation finds India.Arie
coming back full circle to the basics that captivated a global legion of fans
on debut album Acoustic Soul.
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