Erykah Badu’s new album presents funky ‘New Amerykah’
rykah Badu never has been known to produce
bubblegum pop, and her recently released album
“New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War” certainly has
followed suit.
Erykah Badu never has been known to produce
bubblegum pop, and her recently released album
“New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War” certainly has
followed suit.
Badu, who has not produced an album since
“Worldwide Underground” was released in 2003, is
showing no definite signs of stopping. “New Amerykah”
boasts Badu’s signature style throughout.
“Amerykahn Promise,” the first song of the album,
is an obvious nod to the musical funk movement that
was popular in the ’60s and ’70s. Conjuring images
of bell-bottoms and Afros, this track is not the only
disco-worthy song on Badu’s album, which was released
late this past month. “The Cell,” which chronicles a
“light skin honey with the cinnamon smell,” has a
bass-guitar line and drumbeat that also is reminiscent
of times past.
Erykah Badu has come a long way from the off-key,
pleading croonings of “Tyrone,” her inexplicably
popular single from the late ’90s that earned her two
Lady of Soul awards.
“New Amerykah” certainly reflects the Texas
native’s eccentric style. Though interspersed with
some generic-sounding slow-tempo R&B tracks, the
album occasionally breaks its monotony with songs
like “Twinkle.” This piece – within an interlude in an
unidentified language – also contains a spoken-word
commentary about the state of affairs in the modern
world. The speaker urges the listener to “get angry” and
relinquish his or her complacent position in society.
Although some selections on this album caught
my attention with their interesting beats or somewhat
thought-provoking lyrics, the majority of Badu’s
creations came off as generic “neo-soul” fodder.
Though obviously talented as far as vocal proficiency
is concerned, Erykah Badu has done little to diversify
her musical approach. For those die-hard Badu fans, I’m
sure “New Amerykah” will satisfy, for it is undoubtedly
Badu-esque. I give her points for maintaining
her musical integrity but, overall, I found the album
to be nothing special. Perhaps we’ll wait and see what
another five years will yield.
My grade: C+
