An unexpected turn in John Legend’s creative work

Undoubtedly a performer like John Legend does not need any presentation. His wonderful music continuing the best traditions of soul and R&B is known and loved in all around the world and such hits as Ordinary People and Save Room still do not leave radio airs in Europe and America. Two studio albums and one live performance in the artist’s discography is not too much but there should be no generalization made in the world of music for it is this moment of his career that Legend decides it is high time for some experimenting. His third album with a pretentious title Evolver released at the end of October marks significant stylistic change in the direction of the pop style new for the artist. Songs that are much more oriented to the club audience with light unobtrusive tunes have comprised most of Evolver, but John Legend’s sensual vocals still occupy the central position on it. Certainly this unexpected turn in the singer’s creative work proves to be both a pleasant surprise and a great continuation of his brilliant career.

The theme of love and relationship on Evolver

Evolver is 15 great tracks united by the theme of love and relationship – Legend has remained faithful to himself in this respect, indeed. Traditionally the album opens with a short but promising introduction Good Morning Intro on which the artist seems to be just waken up and is greeting the world and the splendid danceable single Green Light refined with Andre 3000’s recognizable vocals follows right afterwards. On no less interesting track It's Over Kanye West joins Legend adding even more club coloring to it while ballad Everybody Knows pleases with a beautiful guitar accompaniment and John’s singing in a little bit lower register on the verse. Composition Quickly featuring Brandy conquers with a fashionable electronic beat from the very first sounds. A wonderful contrasting combination of male and female vocals and stylish piano chords whereas another surprise is a reggae song No Other Love performed with Estelle and refined with contagious tubes. A slow ballad This Time is probably the closest to the John we all know for here he finally gives full swing to his vocals performing a complicated and touching tune. A light love song Take Me Away, an optimistic, almost R&B track Good Morning and If You're Out There addressing the whole world all please with sensual and sincere singing. Another reggae number Can't Be My Lover will leave nobody indifferent due to a successful melody and Teddy Riley’s remix of It's Over will easily find itself among the club audience’s favorites.

Sincere and benevolent compositions

Album Evolver has definitely allowed John Legend to widen the frames of what we are all used to and try his hand at the new role of a pop singer. Although his manner of performance has practically not changed some of the songs have turned to simple for the artist’s vocals which creates an impression of the new role being not too good for him. In this context many may consider the record’s title a little too assuming but it by no means worsens the general impression of the work. It goes without saying that an artist will always be an artist and on the tracks on which melodies and arrangements are congenial to John he really shines. Besides the guest stars have refined a number of compositions which makes the album even more attractive. Perhaps the time will pass and Legend will see his own creation in a different light and decide for himself whether he should go on working with the pop genre, go back to what he has started from or turn to something absolutely different. For now his third album is ready to please us with those sincere and benevolent compositions which are always John Legend’s best.

Alexandra Zachernovskaya

29.10.2008

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