★ ★ ★ ★ out of 5
It was late 2007, and nobody could escape the beauty of "Bleeding Love", a Ryan Tedder-penned power ballad from The X Factor winner Leona Lewis. The song ignited the artist's promising career, reaching the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100, selling over four million copies and earning two GRAMMY nominations the following year.
Lewis did not let the massive success of "Bleeding Love" scare or distract her, the UK songstress followed her debut single with the impressive "Better In Time" and Avril Lavigne-penned "I Will Be". Her second album, the unappreciated Echo, and her third, the absolutely brilliant Glassheart, came and went without much buzz and Lewis soon found herself departing from Syco Records and mentor Simon Cowell, proclaiming a reinvention was occurring.
That reinvention has led to Lewis' official fifth studio album, I Am, a solid ten-track effort the artist says is more "true to herself" than the material she has previously released. Preceded by the Adele-sounding "Fire Under My Feet" and emotional, uptempo ballad "Thunder", the new record is Lewis' first official release in the U.S. since 2009 and works to showcase the artist's impeccable vocal abilities with honest songwriting and appropriate backing production.
The albums opens with current U.S. single "Thunder", a track which falls right in line with the huge, pop ballad anthems we have come to expect from Lewis. Supported by a soulful piano and beautifully delicate vocals from the singer, she sheds personal details about her dysfunctional work relationship with Cowell. The empowering single does not shy away from using its intriguing, layered production to its advantage, a radio-friendly element that adds depth to the lyrical content.
"Fire Under My Feet" was the perfect "comeback" single. The gospel-like, swinging beat comes through powerfully to support Lewis' spectacular vocal performance. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Lewis informs listeners to never let the fire, the drive, be extinguished no matter the obstacles. "I got fire under my feet, and I feel it in my heartbeat, oh you can't put out these flames, you can't keep me down in my seat," she belts on the track's claptastic and exciting chorus.
An instant highlight for the album is "You Knew Me When", an emotion-filled ballad where Lewis shares the moments when she second guessed herself while in a relationship, how her lover took advantage, but that is not what's happening now. A heartfelt message of confidence, independence and strength comes pouring out of every word, as the artist's controlled yet convincing performance drives the top notch songwriting to an entirely new level.
For the album's second official UK single, Lewis decided on "I Am", a title track that truly signifies the birth of a new, stronger person. While soft and simple during the verses, the production and progression of the track pick up when the empowering chorus comes around the corner, making a necessary statement. "I am free without you, I am stronger without you, thought I would never rise again, but I am, I am," the artist sings with utmost conviction and grace.
Possibly referencing her past record label drama, Lewis ensures listeners and fans that she's working her way back to the top of the music industry on "Ladders", a slightly more upbeat offering that shows the artist experiencing with dance-oriented production while proclaiming her dedication and unbreakable spirit. The song is a nice change of tone and pace for the parent album, showcasing the artist's ability to effortlessly cross genre boundaries.
Lewis continues to get back up on her own feet, after some publicized knockdowns, on "The Essence Of Me", a unique and intriguing effort that continues to take the album down a positive road. After dusting the dirt off, the artist courageously looks towards a new day as a repetitive and addictive chorus supports her journey as she claims a new personal victory day by day. With vocal power at the forefront, the song becomes a shining, soaring moment for Lewis.
Following a delicate piano introduction, Lewis seems to momentarily step away from her own problems, to ease the worry of someone she deems special on "I Got You". "When the rain won't stop, when you feel unloved, when it all falls through, I got you," she sings on the album's shortest offering. In just three minutes, the artist finds a way to offer support and a shoulder to lean on when times get tough. Whether to a friend of lover, it's clear that Lewis is a person we want by our side.
The message of "Power" is quite simple, Lewis sounds to be slightly bitter as she sings of taking charge and letting another know this is her beginning, and their end. While there's not much lyrical content shared throughout the track, the artist takes something minimal and beautifully expands it into a 90s-sounding pop ballad that would work perfectly in a stadium setting. The song title sums up the experience: powerful vocals back by a powerful message.
An unexpected but welcomed occurrence comes in the form of the tropical styling of "Another Love Song", an easy contender for a successful future single. With a delicious, infectious beat pulled straight from the late 90s and just waiting for numerous club remixes, Lewis recalls the recent battle for her heart. "Never thought I'd write another love song, but I can't keep on fighting with you, I love you," the artist brings herself to admit on the cute and carefree pop track.
The standard edition of the new album closes out with "Thank You", a personal letter to those who have pulled Lewis out from the trenches, when she thought she was down and out. The artist's vocals are on the verge of perfection, as always, however, the power of the album's final number lies within the confession-like songwriting, where the artist bares her soul and admits to past selfish actions. To end with the song is to end with the notion that Lewis is one of the best vocalists of the generation.
I Am is a strong, inspiring, effortless comeback album (her first since 2012, 2009 if in the U.S.) that represents the new, proclaimed version of Leona Lewis perfectly. Most of the album plays out as heartfelt and honest pages ripped straight out of a tucked away diary, words that the artist just gained enough courage to share. Throughout the ten-track album, the vulnerable songwriting carries a bulk of the weight, delivered to the best of Lewis' vocal abilities. Every one is absolutely flawless. With the exception of one track, and that track is still perfect, the album sticks to a particular topic and remains cohesive and focused throughout. There may not be enough of the industry's current trends packed into the effort, but with exquisite vocal performances and sincere meaning behind each song, who needs all the glitz and glitter?
Tracks to Hear: "Fire Under My Feet", "You Knew Me When", "I Am", "The Essence Of Me" and "Another Love Song"
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