Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions
There’s no big secret about this.
I love music.
and there are some names that I respect even though I’ve never listened to them. I’ll be like “oh yeah that person… soooo talented,” and really I’m just blowing steam because I’ve never heard any of their music except what might be on the radio.
So when I was given the chance to review the new Mary J. Blige album, I seriously almost started screaming I was so excited. Because she’s one of those artists that I KNOW is brilliant but I haven’t actually listened to.
From the minute the quiet little hums of the opening song Therapy started, I was hooked. Starting an album with nothing but voices is a formula for instant goosebumps, in my opinion. No hiding behind loads of instrumentation or fancy sounds. It is so raw. That’s actually how I’d describe the whole album – raw and intimate. The songs are solid and her voice. Oh my gosh. Her voice. I get the hype.
The album is titled the London Sessions because Mary J. Blige spent a month in London writing and collaborating with UK artists, and one of my favorite parts is that in-between the songs the other artists spoke a little bit about their experience with Mary, which continued the whole intimate feel of the album. While I listened, I felt as if Mary had walked into my house and said “hey Stephanie, let me know what you think of my new songs,” because they are SO INTIMATE and so relatable.
In Track 3, Not Loving You, she sings “there’s only so much I can do when you’re not loving you.” and it accurately describes the pain of watching someone you love stay in self-destructive habits and lifestyles and I could immediately think of a few people the song related to in my life.
Overall, the entire album – and I do mean every single song – hit a special nerve in my heart.
My favorite songs from this album are Therapy, Doubt, Pick Me Up and Worth My Time. They’re all different vibes, different song content, but they are all beautiful and honest songs by an artist who I have come to decide is absolutely brilliant. I’m on the Mary J. Blige train, and I’m here to stay.
Of note is the song “Whole Damn Year,” a song about things like domestic violence and bullying and the ways they destroy the victim. It is so powerful and brought tears to my eyes every time I stopped to listen to the words she was singing.
Here is the opening track, and the one I’m pretty sure is my favorite, Therapy:
The good news is that this album is out NOW. You can buy it on iTunes and Amazon, and I highly recommend you do one of those right away because this album is good for your soul.
