India.Arie
Testimony: Love & Politics, Vol. 2 (Republic)
Love and politics can be two of the most intricately tangled topics of discussion, but they don’t faze India Arie. As seen in the singer’s past three albums, Arie has been regarded for her ability to braid strength and simplicity throughout every project. Her fourth effort, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics, is no different, but for this go-round, Arie wants to kick the conversation up a notch.
Known primarily for her various sentiments of love, Arie keeps her trademark subject blooming with vibrant colors and warm portraits. “Yellow” is flushed with rosy melodies that sway in a tender breeze of devotion: “Every time I hear you say hello / All I see is yellow / Like daisies in the meadow / And I just thought you should know.” Yet, the muscle of her album flexes hardest when politics come into play. Although Arie doesn’t necessarily punch her fist in the air with sensational rage, she thoughtfully leads a softer revolution against national and global vexations. In “Ghetto” she highlights the web of poverty that intertwines cities both within the US and outside: “To be hungry in L.A. / Is just like starving in Bombay / Homeless in Moracco / Is a shelter in Chicago.” While “Pearls,” notes the international resiliency and solid spirit of women who work well beyond their capacities. Though Arie primarily boxes her issues of love and politics into separate tracks, she finally melts both themes on “The Cure,” an ode to ubuntu that tingles with light Arabian acoustics and notes that the key to unlocking the human connection is crafted in love.
Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics is proof that not only can Arie step out of her comfort zone of relationships and self-appreciation, but she can jog up a few levels as well.
India.Arie's "Testimony: Love & Politics, Vol. 2" is in stores now
Track listing for India.Arie's Testimony: Love & Politics, Vol. 2
1. Intro: Grains
2. Therapy
3. Ghetto
4. Chocolate High
5. He Heals Me
6. Interlude: Grains
7. Pearls
8. River Rise
9. Yellow
10. Better Way
12. Interlude: Grains
11. Long Goodbye
13. Psalms 23
14. The Cure
15. Outro: Grains
16. A Beautiful Day
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