ALBUM REVIEW BY HANNIBAL ALEXANDER

On Kelis’ 2006 album, Kelis was Here she deemed herself a “Rock Hip Hop Pop Star,” which is an accurate description of her musical career since her 1999 debut. With the help of the Neptunes in the beginning, Kelis emerged as one of the few risk takers in the industry and her sound was always something unexpected. Well the anticipated release of her fifth album Flesh Tone follows suit.  On Flesh Tone she attacks Dance music in a ways she’s never done before. The most unexpected thing about this album is that it isn’t as diverse as her previous projects, where she did flirt with different genres. Instead, this is strictly a Dance album and it’s somewhat off-putting at first knowing her previous discography. However, once you get towards the end of the short but very sweet album, you fully appreciate her versatility.

From the hardest and deepest dance tracks like “22nd Century” and “Brave” to the lightest sweetest ones “Song for the Baby” and the first single “Acapella”, Kelis knows the appropriate ways to compliment the tracks. Not taking anything away from the cuts produced by a dynamic team of producers including David Guetta, Benny Benassi, Boys Noize and Free School among them – but also knowing to not let her voice get drowned out by them; her lyrical content further takes these dance tracks to the next level. On this album she speaks a lot about the human struggle, less concerned with love and partying; this album is more about going deeper than the Flesh and every one’s need to feel free. Free from negativity in “Scream” (”It’s not enough to live so just dream, it’s not enough to say so just scream“), Free from self-doubt and Free to dream in “Emancipate” (”Dare to be a better you each chance you get, we’re all human and fall short and nothing’s over yet“). Lyrically she’s made an album that is relatable to everyone, even when she’s talking about her new son on “Home” and “Acapella” those lyrics could easily be related to a supportive loved one.

Had this album been released by an unknown dance act, it would have received praise because it’s not often that such dark dance beats are matched with impeccable vocals and thoughtful lyrics. Coming from Kelis, it’s a little surprising at first, but you have to appreciate her chameleon-like nature with music. This further proves that she is not just a producers puppet because her personality, inspiration, and thoughts bleeds so much into the final product. Even if she did provide sophomoric lyrics and uninspired vocals - the production team behind this project did a great job with some very hype and energetic tracks that rival some of the best Electronica songs. This isn’t a Dance/Pop sound, this is seriously some underground Club music that would be too aggressive to work on Top 40’s Pop radio. Another reason why Kelis’ contribution makes it a really gratifying experience to listen to is it’s rare that you get an album of this caliber that honors both the music and the artist. The album does tend to get repetitive at points, but with only 9 tracks it’s a solid listen, so be sure to grab your copy of Flesh Tone when it is released in the U.S. July 6th in stores and online. Psss… Get a preview of it here…

ROBYN & KELIS | “ALL HEARTS” TOUR
featuring special guests Dan Black and Far East Movement

7/23     Los Angeles, CA           The Music Box
7/24     San Francisco, CA        Mezzanine
7/27     Boston, MA                  House of Blues
8/2       Washington, DC            9:30 Club
8/3       Philadelphia, PA            Trocadero
8/5       New York, NY               Webster Hall