Erykah Badu Brings Abstract Sound in New Amerykah: Part 1 (4th World War)

Erykah Badu is one of the most interesting artists in contemporary music. Erykah has never been an artist to rest on her laurels and is often innovative and highly artistic. After selling close to 10 million records and winning various awards, Erykah is back with her highly anticipated new album, New Amerykah: Part 1 (4^th World War). Will New Amerykah: Part 1 (4^th World War) be worth the five-year wait?

The first single off of New Amerykah: Part 1 (4^th World War) is the 9^th Wonder produced Honey. The song samples Nancy Wilson's I'm In Love. The song clearly has some vintage elements but seems fresh and current at the same time. The track shows that Erykah is comfortable in almost every situation and genre. The song is not Erykah's strongest single however it is solid.

The album opens with Amerykahn Promise. The song is just as abstract as it sounds. Erykah has always been known for her over the top nature and just vastly different ways of doing things.

Me is one of the more mainstream tracks on the album. The song features lush instrumentation and Erykah's vocals in different vocal processors to add the feeling that the vocals are almost floating on air.

Telephone is an almost eight minute long neo-soul epic. The track is refreshingly different and filled with solid musicianship and interested vocals throughout the whole track. At times however it gets repetitive as it is almost eight minutes in length.

Master Teacher takes the same vocal sample The Game used on his song Dreams produced by Kanye West. The lyrical content will definitely turn some people off however the track is fairly catchy.

That Hump is another neo-soul influenced track. Erykah shows off her unique vocal ability on the track. The track may not be the strongest track on the album yet is interesting in its own way especially once it breaks down into a whole different vibe midway through the song.

The Cell sounds much more like a hip hop track and Erykah effortlessly flows over the up-tempo jam. The production on the track is very solid however the song just is not that great.

My People features a very sparse, barely there production track. The song is just incredibly odd and will probably turn off the vast majority of listeners.

New Amerykah: Part 1 (4^th World War) is a very abstract album, and any potential listener should know that before going in. However, if you keep an open mind, the album is not all that bad. New Amerykah: Part 1 (4^th World War) gets 7.5 out of 10 stars. If you are a fan of Erykah Badu, make sure you pick up her new album New Amerykah: Part 1 (4^th World War) when it is available in stores on February 26.