‘I stand in the light I’ve cast and turn away from any lack of love’ John Legend reveals on his fifth studio album Darkness and Light. As the title would suggest, this album is full of various points of light and shade that work in creating a whole journey that is sometimes lacking in a time of being able to cherry pick singles off Digital outlets.
‘I Know Better’ opens the album, and is a somewhat sombre gospel number talking about self improvement before leading into the discotheque that is ‘Penthouse Floor’.
Five albums in writing songs that hit the mark commercially (think ‘All Of Me’), Darkness and Light is an album full of ear-worms with shades of folk, soul and r’n’b. Let it be known that before this review, I had not previously listened to anything from John Legend, but it’s easy to see this record is a highlight in a year of tremendous music. There are many different emotions showcased through the albums 12 tracks, and having teamed up with Blake Mills (Alabama Shakes, Sky Ferreira) having tracked back through Legend’s back catalogue, I feel I am able to easily say this is easily the best thing that he has done. Funk, soul, pop, r’n’b to disco slow burners, this album has the lot and is the perfect soundtrack to all your summer dinner parties.
4/5
Sony Music
Reviewed By Tex Miller
