Album Review: India.Arie, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics

Two time Grammy winner, India.Arie returns to the music scene by delivering a musical masterpiece.

India.Arie’s fourth album, “Testimony, Vol. 2: Love & Politics” is the best new album of 2009; lyrically, this is Arie at her best. Featuring many unknown guest artists including Reggae singer, Gramps Morgan on the album’s first single, “Therapy” and R&B singer, Terrell Carter on “Yellow” where retaining the love of a significant other is the topic of choice. The album also features guest appearances from Grammy nominated singer and Arie’s former boyfriend, Musiq Soulchild, on the album’s second single, “Chocolate High” and legendary rapper, MC Lyte on “Psalms 23”, a inspirational track that describes Arie’s battle with facing failure and overcoming obstacles.

“Testimony, Vol. 2: Love & Politics” taps into just about every human emotion. Whether you feel Arie’s joy on “Ghetto”, as she reminds us that no matter where in the world you go, everywhere is a ghetto (see official definition of “ghetto“). Or her love on “He Heals Me”, where she describes the sense of acceptance she receives from her significant other. “The Cure” reminds us that the biggest global “disease” is hate. Lyrically, the track makes listeners feel somewhat guilty for the possible hate they may have inflicted on others, whether done unconsciously or not. However, the song offers a simple solution to the problem, in the end the cure for hate is -------love.

The second album in India.Arie’s testimony series, delivers a conscience, in-depth look into the social issues we face today. “Better Day” gives the promise of hope in spite of the current situation. There are four interludes throughout the album, each entitled “Grains”. “I thank God/We’re all made from the same grains/Because we’re all the same” sings a socially aware Arie. “Long Goodbye” , a track that finds Arie delivering the best vocal performance of her career, displays her ability to let go of love even though it can be a difficult thing to do. The track has the ingredients to earn her a Grammy nomination and a possible win.

“Testimony, Vol.2: Love & Politics” will go down as India.Arie’s most organic and lyrically fulfilling album. Proving to have knowledge and a sense of the world she lives in unsurpassed by any other neo-soul artist. In an industry where most female artist are unwilling to live in someone’s “Spotlight” or pleading with their male counterparts to “Put a Ring on It”, India. Arie managed to deliver a musical masterpiece by putting professional gains aside in order to restore a sense of hope and faith to a world desperately in need of change.