Note: This is Erykah Badu’s first full length album since 2000’s Mama’s Gun and her first release of any kind since her 2003 EP Worldwide Underground.
Sound: A mix of funk blasts (both raw/vintage and electro/modern), r & b jams and soulful reflections with a hypnotic, mystical and spiritual feeling. Though there are no rapped rhymes (just Erykah’s raspy vocals and some background help), there are more hip hop beats (most of them with an underground flavor) on here than on her previous releases.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “The Healer”
Medium Rotation tracks: “The Cell”; “Soldier”; “Honey”; “Twinkle”
Recommended: The eclectic, uncompromising and bizarre vision of New Amerykah make it a bit unwieldy. Some may give up on it before it truly sinks in. But give it time, and you’ll find yourself wrapped up in another powerful and empowering statement from one of urban music’s premier eccentrics.
Grade: B+

Listen to Tracks/Buy Music:
On iTunes
On amazon.com