After a two year hiatus, Angie Stone is back with her fifth studio album, “Unexpected”. With the influx of five high-profile cd releases last week, it’s understandable how Stone got lost in the shuffle. Thankfully, I’m here to let you know I found her and she brings along with her, a musical gem.

I’ve loved Angie ever since her first single “No More Rain” from her debut album “Black Diamond. She was part of a wave of female neo-soul singers that came in the late 90s- an era that brought us Jill Scott, india.arie, Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. But unlike her compatriots she’s still going strong and getting better with age. Her last album, “The Art of Love & War”, was her first ever to hit number one on Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop chart.

Fast forward two years later, she’s back with 12 new tracks. The album title “Unexpected” has a double meaning. Unexpected because it’s a diverse mix of musical styles and during recording the album, Stone had to face the unexpected death of her father. At one point, she didn’t even think she could finish the project because she was so grief stricken.

Having said all that, her first single off the album is an energetic up-tempo track. “I Ain’t Hearing U” is a song about raising a defiant sign in the face of rumor and gossip. When I first heard the track, I immediately loved it. When I was doing my research for this article, I was surprised to read that the song is about five or six years old. She just didn’t know what to do with it and sat on this gem since then. Another one of my favorite tracks is the ballad, “Why Is It?”. It’s about a past lover who comes back into your life wanting back in your life after he sees you’ve moved on- we’ve all been there before, haven’t we?

One of the more unexpected singles on this album is “Tell Me”. It’s got a bit of a techno groove in the background and a faster beat than we’re used to associating Stone with. At first listen, it reminded me a bit of Chris Brown’s “Forever”. Not super crazy about the track but who knows… it might grow on me.

In honor of her late father, she wrote “Think Sometimes” which is a melodic and poignant ode to his memory. The message is simple enough- take time to remind yourself to count your blessings everyday before someone you love slips away so fast and suddenly.

THINGS I LIKE/DISLIKE ABOUT…

• 1. LIKE: Correction. LOVE The lead-off single, “I Ain’t Hearing’ U”
• 2. DISLIKE: The dress she’s wearing on the album cover. Shiny fabric isn’t your friend, especially when “riding” a motorcycle
• 3. LIKE: How she was able to turn out another great album
• 4. DISLIKE: No extras. In this day and age of illegal digital downloads, I would like to have a little somethin’ somethin’ instead of a piece of paper with a bunch of “thank-yous”. At least give me some lyrics, girl.
• 5. LIKE: The graphic print on the CD is kinda hot. It’s those little touches I love
• 6. DISLIKE: SO over albums that begin and end with the same track but call the latter a reprise- no bueno.

OVERALL RATING: If you’re in a mellow mood and love Stone, I highly recommend it. I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Related Stories:
• Katy Perry Goes Unplugged
• Laura Izibor: Irish Soul Songstress
• Janet Jackson: “Make Me” Music Video

(No Ratings Yet)