Album Review: Michelle Williams – ‘Journey To Freedom’
Artist: Michelle Williams
Album: Journey to Freedom
Genre: R&B/ Pop/ Soul
iPod Pick: Yes
Lyrical Gold: I only talk about what I know about. I’ve been there before (From the song ‘In The Morning’)
These are the musicians. Sincerely, I am surprised I’m finally using that line on a Michelle Williams record. I for one have never thought Michelle has found her voice since leaving Destiny’s Child. Yes, there were glimpses every now and then. I think the record we heard her heart most last was Unexpected’. And also I heard a track she recorded for a Deitrick Haddon album and I was like ‘ This lady can SANG! But what’s really up?. But it’s okay, totally okay to get it on the fourth. Moreover, life is a journey and we are all on that journey. The soul that doesn’t make progress is the one left wanting.
Enter ‘Journey to Freedom’ . I will be ungrateful to not tell the world about how the pure and authentic passion on the second track ‘Yes‘ is currently changing me. As I write this review, I take a break from my computer and move closer to the window of the room I am in as the melody of this song fills the air. It’s everything we love from the Euro house music plus some sweet accentuating soul. It’s kind of anthemic, borrowing the bridge every girl band used in the late 90’s. It’s a lot of good stuff all in. The music is layered and evidently skillfully arranged. I wasn’t surprised to learn that the album was produced by Harmony David Samuels who has done wonders on hits for artist such as Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Chip, Michelle Williams, Fantasia, Chris Brown, Brandy, Keyshia Cole and Ne-Yo.
I am surprised though that no earlier single even the much raved about ‘Say Yes’ (which featured Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Solange Knowles) had this effect on me. Before listening to this album, I had heard ‘Fire‘, ‘If We Had Your Eyes’ With Fantasia, and Say Yes and kind of written off this album musically. But sincerely, I take that back.
In its entirety, the album is a sort of chaotic resolve of the path struggle Michelle’s musical career seems to have taken over the past years. There is a sweet underlying happiness in the music, some victory and definitely flags of freedom displayed every here and there.
Another track that wowed me was the opening track ‘Need Your Help’, a good boogie-it-down track about God leading us every step of the way. The synth on this track is unique and so good to the ears.
I like the pseudo throwback revolving-door beat on ‘Just Like You’. And the rap thrown somewhere in between makes it more of a winner. Definitely another favorite.
Believe in Me’ starts off with poignant and soulful notes as good as the oh-oh bridge of Sam Smith’s ‘Stay With Me’. It is a song about identity, being who we really are and not letting the opinion of others shape us. It’s a song bound to draw you in and bring you back to that place to dream again. For me it reminded me something a favorite preacher use to say: for most of us, it’s not that we don’t believe ‘God can do it’, we just don’t believe ‘God can do it for me’.
‘In The Morning’ is the Natasha Beddingfield-esque happy song we have all been waiting for. That summer song we can roll down the windows to and turn up the volume to. It’s rocky, thinkKelly Clarkson‘s ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ as the chorus enters with a mix of some Ayeisha Woods’ grooves. But one things for sure, Michelle’s voice carries it well. And behind-the-scene writer secret, though no correlation, this song reminded me a lot of of Destiny’s Child ‘Happy Face’ and made me smile a lot.
In the end, I am reminded that Michelle belongs to the class of musicians that sits artistes such as Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, Keisha Cole, Tamar Braxton and Leona Lewis for lessons but she definitely has an A+ in doing both fast and slow songs really well. Also in the end I’m asking ‘Is this the first step on the journey to freedom?’ It has to be. So much goodness on this record.
Dear Michelle, this is to more good music. We raise our glass and we are with you on this journey to freedom.
To more good music. Love, Joy and more freedom.
Say Yes everyone.
[Oh yeah! pun definitely intended]
