On Alicia's 4th studio album, entitled The Element of Freedom, she chooses a title that feels slightly contrasting to the lyrical content. Maybe the juxtaposition is relevant, acknowledging the freedom from a particular state, love. The album itself is brilliant, except the Beyonce duet, garbage. Each track is so seamlessly layered and intricate. The beat on the first [second] single 'Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart' is powerful. It has such a gratuitously infectious baseline for a [lyrically] emotionally gripping song. Alicia seems to be a slave to love, as she crafts songs that depict a journey filled with plenty of ups and downs. On tracks like 'Love is a like the Sea', 'Love is my Disease', and 'Love is Blind', she effectively taps into the heartache typically associated with being in love. It's a slow album; it's a sad album; it's a visceral album, especially if you've ever been in love. Download these tracks, 'This Bed', 'Un-Thinkable' and 'Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart'.
Stronger with Each Tear, Mary J. Blige again, does what she does so well, make empowering, confident, and introspective music. Blige is the kind of artist whom takes a song and finds that really honest core. And, it is where she connects with her audience. She's authentic. On each one of her albums, from her first release, 1992's 'What's the 411' to this latest, 2009's 'Stronger with Each Tear' Blige lets it all hang out. She's like an open wounded, on display for the world to see. And, to be that bold, takes some guts. Mary's no holds barred attitude on tracks like 'I am, 'Kitchen' and 'Said and Done' reveal a woman finally comfortable in her own skin. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention one of the most vocally driven tracks Blige has ever recorded, 'I Can see in Color'. Blige invokes the blues and is so vulnerable, she captures what few female vocalist can, raw unfettered emotion.
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