Sitek's smooth-Afropop and soul-adjacent palette largely lets the album down here Food may not make her the star she deserves to be, but this slightly overcooked album is proof that she can cook Kelis still presides over these songs with an edgy, headstrong charisma. The R&B innovator's return is satisfying but occasionally a little bland The fact that it’s unmistakably a Kelis album speaks volumes of Sitek’s subtle skill in tailoring his productions for his client, and Kelis’ star power Give this one a listenĭave Sitek and her 13-piece band grind out the old-school funk, soul and gospel flavours of this albumĪs a whole album, it marks yet another new direction for the do-whatever-she-feels-like diva, and there's a good chance it may well end up being the best of her works to hear live While there are still moments where her many commitments result in under-developed tracks, she takes a risk and succeedsĪt its best, this record brings out the best in Kelis and Sitek - at it’s worst, it’s still pretty good. Kelis picks up all her various threads of genre, and brings them together into a spaghetti of summery, humid music that sounds as classic as it does subtly experimentalįood feels like a full-fledged look at the life, pleasures and pains of Kelis, something none of her old records ever really delivered Wonderfulįood is good-time party fare packed with feeling many of these songs would blend right in on a Soul Jazz compilation of rhythm and blues raritiesĪ satisfying album grounded by familiar funk, rooted in classic soul sounds and focused on the everyday rituals of lifeĭishes up a feast of vintage-sounding R&B. The warmest, most relaxed and purely enjoyable thing Kelis has ever done. She has matured into an artist at ease with her position as pop's perennial outsider One of the most inventive, inviting dishes Kelis has ever served. Successfully gives another dynamic to an already diverse portfolio, without ever sounding like a tribute or nostalgic, novelty record You will spot the influence of David Sitek in the song structures, but Rogers is the one calling the shots on an album that dovetails between retro and modern influences Either way, Kelis’ late arrival deserves celebration – and her Food, relish Newfound commercial success may or may not follow. While it remains almost impossible to dissociate Kelis and early collaborators the Neptunes, it's more difficult imagining a better creative alliance - at this point in her career, at least - than the one that shines here With no artificial colours or preservatives, Food’s list of ingredients includes funk, soul, gospel, afrobeat, and many other herbs and seasoningsįood is awesome, that’s for sure, so eat up! If music be the food of love, Kelis has cooked up something tasty enough to satisfy all but the hungriest of hearts Sort by ADM rating Sort by most recent review