Strength Of A Woman

AlbumApr 28 / 201714 songs, 57m 49s
Contemporary R&B Alternative R&B
Noteable

After investigating UK club culture on 2014’s *The London Sessions*, Mary J. Blige returns to hip-hop soul to process her broken marriage. Survivor’s spirit, regal horns, and a bravura verse from Kanye West combine on invigorating opener “Love Yourself,” while her F-you vocal outshines a supporting cast of Missy Elliott, DJ Khaled, and Migos’ Quavo on “Glow Up.” Turning pain into compelling music has long been Blige’s trademark, but her choice of inventive producers—particularly KAYTRANADA on “Telling the Truth”’s glitchy soul—keeps pushing her sound forward.

119

7.7 / 10

The R&B legend returns with a soulful, deeply personal album that luxuriates in the classic sounds of wronged-woman blues, featuring guest spots from Kanye West, DJ Khaled, and Kaytranada.

Also: Juliet Fraser, Alice Coltrane and Juana Molina

On Strength of a Woman, Mary J. Blige covers a lot of lyrical ground familiar to anyone who has heard her 11 previous studio albums.

8 / 10

It may be twisted to say, but personal pain, anguish and drama are intrinsic to Mary J. Blige's best art. With her messy divorce providing a...

7 / 10

Before Beyoncé there was Aaliyah, and before Aaliyah came Mary J Blige. Mother of ‘90s R&B, Mary J Blige has become one of the most

(Universal/Island)

Can the hip hop soul survivor settle into elder stateswoman role on album 13? Album review by Joe Muggs