★★★★★
R&B singer John Legend released his fifth album called Darkness and Light this December. The album reflects Legend’s growth and evolution as both an artist, a husband and a new father to his daughter, Luna, whom he even dedicated a song to. There were several collaborations on this album with Chance The Rapper, Brittany Howard and Miguel. As each track progresses, listeners can hear a variety of sounds and emotions that flow well as you listen to the album from beginning to end.
The first track on the album, called “I Know Better,” starts the album off beautifully in Legend’s heartfelt words to his fans as he reflects on his past. He even says, “Legend is just a name/I know better than to be so proud/I won’t drink in all this fame/I’ll take more love than I’m allowed”. While it is a slower song, it’s still full of energy and emotion is the gospel-sounding song.
I enjoyed the song "Penthouse Floor," which features Chance the Rapper. The song is a funky and fun sound at first listen, but the lyrics are more serious as the two artists delve into the divide between those who are well off or famous, which is symbolized by a penthouse. They reflect on how much they like being there, but also how those they were climbing to reach that point they haven’t made yet. Those who have reached that “height”, or the fame, no longer notice what going on “beneath” them and how they enjoy an "ignorance and bliss" attitude when they have reached that point.
There track “Right By You” was Legend’s song for his newborn daughter, Luna. The song is about him wonder what kind of adult Luna will grow up to be, the curiosity of who she’ll take after, her mother or father. And in the end, that Legend will always be there for her even when everything becomes too much.
These were just a few of some of the amazing tracks on this album. I would definitely recommend giving this album a listen. The songs are well written and have a great depth the more you listen to the lyrics.