Mary J. Blige is mixing up her special blend of hip-hop and soul with her new album, The London Sessions. Collaborating with some of this decade’s most celebrated UK musical talent – including Disclosure, Eg White, Emile Sandé, Jimmy Napes, Naughty Boy, SAM ROMANS and Sam Smith – Mary J. Blige creates music that feels like therapy for the soul.
Two of my favorite songs open the album. From the moment I heard “Therapy”, I fell in love with the moody lyrics, which seem tailor made for me during this gloomy time of year. “Doubt” is the anecdote to the blues that demand I play “Therapy” on repeat. Poignant but inspiring, “Doubt” is the song you play when you get out of bed and face another day.
Even with eight multi-platinum albums and nine Grammy Awards to her name, Mary J. Blige continues to evolve as an artist, pushing the boundaries of music.
”The London Sessions is, number one, the bravest thing, and number two, just so honest,” says Smith, who co-wrote lead single, “Therapy,” with Mary J. Blige and Eg White. Disclosure adds, “It’s the reason that people like Mary are so successful – they’re just not afraid to change what they do completely.”
The dozen songs that make up her new album add a beautiful new layer to an already impressive oeuvre. Just in time for Christmas, The London Sessions will be released by Capitol Records December 2nd.
Pre-order The London Sessions on iTunes and Amazon.
I participated in the Mary J Blige The London Sessions album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.