rating: ★★★★☆
mark:
As a benchmark figure who once released the Neo-Soul classic “Words and Music,” Jill Scott has delivered this new album, which remains faithful to the spirit of the genre after years of refinement. Rather than pursuing groundbreaking innovation, she has accomplished a contemporary expression of Neo-Soul’s essence: incorporating emerging elements such as trap, electronic, and psychedelic sounds within the traditional framework, making the entire album feel as if it flows through the brownstone streets of New York’s suburbs in the 2000s. Over the years, her life experiences have grown richer, and her storytelling has matured, giving the music a stronger sense of inclusivity and introspection. The songwriting on the album is intricate and complex, with a powerful sense of rhythm, maintaining a well-balanced tension and order amidst its stylistic diversity. The vocal performance is particularly outstanding, showcasing a remarkable ease in controlling the interplay between melody and accompaniment. Overall, this is an exceptionally “solid” work—unassuming yet masterful in every detail, truly magnificent.
作为曾发行过堪称 Neo-Soul 经典之作《Words and Music》的标杆人物，Jill Scott 在岁月沉淀之后带来了这张依旧忠实于该流派精神的新专。与其说是追求突破性的创新，不如说她完成了一次对 Neo-Soul 气质的当代表达：在传统框架中融入 trap、电子与迷幻等新兴元素，使整张专辑仿佛流淌在 00 年代纽约郊区的褐石街道之间。多年之后，她的生命经验愈发丰盈，叙事也更加成熟，音乐因而呈现出更强的包容性与内省气质。专辑中的 songwriting 结构精妙而复杂，律动感极强，在风格多样之间仍保持着良好的张弛与秩序；人声表现尤为出色，对旋律与伴奏之间的控制力堪称从容。整体而言，这是一张极为“扎实”的作品。不张扬却处处见功力，好伟大。