The Truth Set Ledisi Free and It Will Do the Same For You…
Right when you thought the Grammy nominated singer, Ledisi, had shown you everything she had to offer (from her amazing voice to her gift with words), she returns with her boldest project yet, “The Truth”.
This singer’s track record speaks for itself, but if you need a reminder Ledisi has recorded six albums and earned 8 Grammy nominations. If that’s not enough for you, her music is co-signed by the White House as she has performed there 6 times at the request of the President and the First Lady.
Ledisi’s new album, “The Truth”, acts as the coming out party for a Ledisi fans have never seen before, and this Ledisi is ready to make a grand re-entrance into hearts and ears of R&B listeners. Known for her flowing ballads, Ledisi ventures out into new territory, scattering up-tempo, hard-hitting tracks that showcase a confident, vibrant, and happy Ledisi. While the album is clearly different, working with longtime friend and producer, Rex Rideout, has helped her retain the pieces of her music that made fans originally fall in love with her. I mean, if a combination isn’t broke, there is no point in fixing it, right? In her private listening session for the new album at Jungle City Studios, it was clear this album was a project she was excited and content to share by the bubbly smile that spread across her face. The album details Ledisi’s journey towards self-discovery and acceptance. By no means does she neglect the soulful Ledisi we have grown to love in her previous projects; rather she reveals another layer of herself that has been begging to come out. This album will have fans asking, “Ledisi, why didn’t you let you this side sooner?”.
So, what has Ledisi smiling and dancing across concert stages? “I let go of toxic relationships and embarked on new healthy relationships. One in particular has me glowing!” said Ledisi. Even though she failed to name this mystery man, I think we owe him our gratitude for inspiring such a daring project. In fact, Ledisi cited this new relationship as the inspiration for her collaboration with hit-writer Claude Kelly on her new single “I Blame You”. And while “I Blame You” thanks a new love for helping her continue to embrace and love the person she is, “That Good Good” displays a confident women who is not afraid to ask for exactly what she wants physically and intellectually. This confidence carries over to the sensual slow grinding track of the album, “Lose Control”. In this song Ledisi does not shy away from the subject of love-making, posing the question, “Why can’t woman lead?”.
It might be way too early to call, but this album definitely deserves award recognition and is sure to provide fans with a vibrant show that has fans singing and dancing along with every word. Ledisi’s willingness to be vulnerable and invite you into her world, displaying her faults, fears, and happiness has proven to be the key to setting her free to explore a new facet of her talents and career. This album is a true testament to the perhaps overused cliché, “The truth will set you free”.
-JT Tarpav
