Categories: Music Reviews

Testimony: Vol. 2 by India.Arie

In Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics, India.Arie throws away the conception that popular music today has to be filled with vulgarity, sex and materialization. She focuses her soul, her R&B that has been lost in the ’90s, on two of the biggest topics today (and of anytime): love and politics. Now, Vol. 1 dealt a lot with relationships (AKA love), so I don’t necessarily see how this is unique in that respect, but, hey, girl can make some music. She starts out with Gramps Morgan singing about "Therapy" in a beautifully rhythmic song that belongs on stage for the world with two of the best interpretive dancers. She tells a story about falling in love with a boy, letting her "take deep breaths…ease my mind…work your psychology." Professing her love to a fast-paced, jumpy beat, she is having so much fun making up lovely scenarios that nearly all girls dream about and it shows. She goes further to show us her next to Musiq Soulchild in "Chocolate High" giving us a mix of John Mayer, Alicia Keys, and even Beyonce. It’s an impressive mix, and Musiq Soulchild could not have been a better match for her. Their voices need no interlude, and simply intertwine perfectly. The song isn’t to be taken too seriously, but gives one the feeling of the fun new relationship of two people always craving one another, always teasing one another. But this is India.Arie, and she does get serious very quickly in "He Heals Me." Her voice shines, coming out simply in the deep, encapsulating manner that sings one to sleep, as she recounts another story about falling in love, about the realization of the man she needs, she wants. He heals her, and she pushes us to want that too. She definitely knows what every woman – every person, actually – wants. Then, she shows us "A Beautiful Day" in an inspirational plea to everyone to go outside and just live. The beat is simple as it is in the rest of the album, as India.Arie is used to. The stories are vivid. Her voice is powerful. She pushes the world and she discovers herself, playing at the dreams of every listener. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an afternoon of calm, fun self-discovery and love. It’s India, and she’ll make your day beautiful with this album.

 

Error happened.
Monica Davies

Recent Posts

‘The View’ Host Joy Behar Wishes Donald Trump Had ‘Bought A Rocket From Elon’ To ‘Go To Space’ Just 6 Days After SpaceX Explosion

Joy Behar said on The View that she wishes President Donald Trump had purchased a rocket from Elon Musk to "go to…

17 hours ago

Donald Trump Jr. Is ‘Cool’ With Ex-Wife, Vanessa Trump, Dating Tiger Woods

A source close to Trump Jr. has simply stated that Trump Jr. is “cool” with…

19 hours ago

Andrew Tate Attacks Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis After State Launches Investigations Into His Activities

The Tate brothers are required to return to Romania within the month in order to…

19 hours ago

Hunter Biden Wins Bid To Drop Laptop Hacking Lawsuit After Claiming He’s ‘Millions In Debt’ – But Judge Rules He Can’t Bring Case Again

Hunter Biden won his bid to drop his laptop hacking lawsuit after asserting he was having…

20 hours ago

‘Real Housewives’ Star Teddi Mellencamp Says She Feels Like She’s On Her ‘Deathbed’ During Brain Tumor Treatment

​Teddi Mellencamp, known for her role on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, recently opened…

20 hours ago

Gwen Stefani Slammed By Fans On Social Media For Appearing To Support Tucker Carlson

Stefani said, regarding her politics, “I can see how people would be curious, but I…

21 hours ago