I know it’s rare that I blog two days in a row; but remember, I no longer have classes so my mornings have freed up considerably. With that, I have decided to take the time to post the long-awaited review of Erykah Badu’s second album off of her New Amerykah trilogy–Return of the Ankh.

Tracks

1. 20 Feet Tall

2. Window Seat

3. Agitation

4. Turn Me Away (Get Munny)

5. Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long

6. Umm Hmm

7. Love

8. You Loving Me

9. Fall In Love (Your Funeral)

10. Strawberry Incense

11. Out My Mind, Just In Time

Now for the review. I have heard many different takes on the album: some have said they loved it, others have said they didn’t really care for it, and then there are those who love a few tracks but not the whole album. I will say, that this album will become a classic. It is reminiscent of Mama’s Gun with tracks like Out My Mind, Just in Time, which has the same set up as Green Eyes. Tracks like Strawberry Incense and Love bring back the Erykah from World Wide Underground.  One of my favorite tracks, 20 Feet Tall, takes me back to Baduizm. Those Badu fans will understand that connection on a more latent level. Yet, I will explain it for those who are not necessarily ardent fans. Baduizm was filled with “allegory”-if you will. Every song had two messages, the one you heard and the one you felt.  On & On is a prime example of allegory and 20 Feet Tall has the same structure. Although many of Badu’s songs have duality in meaning, some of them are just fun, like Agitation and You Loving Me.

I could go into a very deep analysis of New AmErykah Pt. 2 Return of the Ankh, but I will spare you. It is my deepest sentiments that Erykah Badu delivered with this album. It is a sultry concoction of all of the Erykahs that we have come to know and love. My recommendation is to BUY the album.  Do not download it or bootleg it, buy it. It is worthy of the 9.99 price tag, and if you ask me, it was highly under-priced.  May 29th, Ms. Badu will be in D.C. and I will definitely be in the crowd (orchestra seating). So I will more than likely return with a concert review. I have seen her in concert before, and if she is consistent with her performances (which I know she is) it will be a phenominal review. Unitl next time.

Peace and Blessings

Song: Erykah Badu- Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long