Between Broadway appearances, a reality show, and legal drama, it’s been four years since Fantasia Barrino has released a full length studio album but with Back To Me, she proves that the time away has done her quite well. Filled with anthems that personify femininity and strength, this album covers a range of topics from devoted affection to incurable heartache to the inevitable period of moving on. Of all her albums, this one has the strongest R&B feel to it and includes production from Chuck Harmony, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Oak (Knightwrightaz) and the Stereotypes among others.
Bittersweet leads the way on Fantasia’s third album, an intense heartache ballad that hit at just the right time as Barrino deals with her own very public love affair. The follow-up single, Man of the House picks up the pace quite a bit and takes aim at a man’s lack of accountability in the household –a definite highlight of the album. Collard Greens and Cornbread is just as soulful as the food it references, pulling on influences from eras past to tell the story of a consuming love. Other songs with a similar old school semblance include Teach Me and Move On Me. The album turns into more “glazed over” R&B on songs like Who’s Been Lovin’ You and the dramatic ballad Even Angels which saw release and a special performance earlier this year but minimal promotion. Even Angels is one of Barrino’s signature ballads, an excellent addition to her catalog and was featured on her reality show Fantasia: For Real. Fallin In Love Tonight is another standout record and one of the album’s more sentimental offerings noted for its dreamy nature.
Back To Me is a dose of “southern-fried sugar” as Fantasia effortlessly throws her unique stylizations and soulful disposition on every track, from the smoothest of R&B productions to the most heartfelt. Most of the producers on this album have been featured in the work of countless other R&B singers but when Fantasia’s voice hits the record, it’s almost as if every song was written and tailored specifically for her. There’s an unbridled soul in Barrino’s voice that won us over on season 3 of American Idol and returns in full effect on Back To Me. Couple that element with some excellent songwriting and you’ll see why this album doesn’t disappoint.
Sound-Savvy rates “Back To Me” with 4 out of 5 platinum headphones.
You finally said something about an artist that I agree with. Cuz Janet isn’t an artist :-0
Album is fire, got my 5 copies and I’m not giving any of them out. Better buy your own.