Esperanza Spalding’s new album Emily’s D+ Evolution has
shown us how Spalding herself has evolved. While it has jazz and blues, it does
it with a contemporary twist. By the way, she does all the herself. She did the whole album without any featured artists. And to be honest, she doesn't need it. It may be
something you could play for your Jazz-loving grandmother or share it
with a friend who appreciates creative sounds and good artistry.
Good Lava: This one of my favorite songs of the album. Check out my write up on this song here.
Unconditional Love: This is not a typical love song. It's
more of a song about the superficial love songs, and it takes a stand against
false romanticism. Not an anthem, but also not happy indie either. It's sort of a happy medium.
Judas: “He’s not evil” is what she calls the most hated man in
biblical history. In this track, Esperanza points out the sins that people commit
out of desperation. Sometimes the choice isn’t easy.
Earth To Heaven: Spalding shows more of her vocal range
here. The song changes tempo frequently though, which makes it less catchy. Not
a song that will get stuck in your head.
One: A groovy track that every girl can relate to, and the first single from the album that I covered here.
Rest in Pleasure: This is one for the hipsters. Spalding has
found her “long last bliss." Her tone reminds
me of Florence and the Machine, with an alternative sound resembling their track We Were
Promised Jetpacks.
Ebony and Ivy: The
intro here is in the style of spoken word. Kind of. It sounds like slam poets speaking inaudibly
fast. The rest of the song calms down and is hauntingly slow.
Noble Nobles: This one combines the lightness of the acoustic
with the heaviness of the bass
Farewell Dolly: A short song, but not an interlude. Very
mellow and steady music in the background. Her voice and the lyrics are salient
here.
Elevate or Operate: This is a contrast to the previous
track. She tells her audience “don’t interrupt me,” clearly a woman who has a
message. The message seems to be aimed at girls like her.
Funk The Fear: An electric guitar intro accompanied with a chant
of people saying “funk the fear.” This seems like a continuation of previous
track. It’s a track that you can jam out to, whether in your car or bedroom.
I Want It Now: The final song on her album resembles a four
year old's birthday wish. She admits that if she doesn’t get what she wants she's “gonna
scream.”
Artistry like this isn’t enjoyed by everyone. Yes, Spalding’s
sound is different and definitely an acquired taste, but it can still be appreciated.
I love that Esperanza stays in her own lane, but at the same time uses other
sounds that influence her. She pays tribute to funk and blues and rock without
trying to recreate it. A lot of people try to do that, but you can't copy the
greats, you can only thank them by making something else that’s great on your own terms.
Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
