John Legend: Darkness and Light

I must confess: I really can’t stand John Legend.

But when I heard that his new album was to be produced by Blake Mills (Alabama Shakes), I was intrigued enough to give The Legend another crack. (Meanwhile, look up Sound & Color, great album.)

I was hoping Mills would lend some much-needed grit to Legend’s clean-cut musical persona, and he did. Well, kind of.

There are still key changes to soaring vocal crescendos and piano melodies accompanying sad minor flourishes, but there are a few rough diamonds, too.

Title track ‘Darkess and Light’ brings late-night sexy to the album, while ‘What You Do To Me’ is surprisingly cool.

More of that, please.

This review was originally published in Fashion Journal 164. You can read it here.