Album Review: Mary J. Blige Provides Healing For “Strength Of A Woman”
Mary J. Blige’s Strength Of A Woman is not just an album to empower women, but a record to teach men to empower women, as well. It is an album the will certainly be played by ladies who have felt the jagged sting of men playing with their hearts. Yet, I insist, that this record is one that could teach men the tragedy of strength is that it is a virtue gained from pain.
Mary J. Blige – Thick Of It
Not all men are bad, but to the many who cheat, lie, steal, hurt, and abandon women, Mary J. Blige has made a beautiful album to counter your ugliness. Vocally, what can I say; by now you either love Blige’s soulful voice or you do not. Like Sheryl Crow or Thurston Moore, fellow music legends that have recently released albums, there is nothing more to be said about their style because they carry their sonic skin with confidence. Thus, Strength of A Woman is more a spiritual change than a music one for Mary J Blige. It is no secret that she is going through a rough divorce, and this album seems written by the light and darkness she has discovered in her situation. It is painful to be betrayed by someone you love, and, sometimes, that pain stems from your own shame at loving him or her. The album seems set up as the inner tussle that everyone undergoes during a break-up; the struggle to say you are fine and that this heartbreak did not come because you were “bad”. Lyrically, “Thick of It”, “Telling The Truth” and “It’s Me” sound as if Mary just placed the repetitive thoughts every woman utters to feel pretty despite going through an ugly situation; why did this man not see that I was his woman and that my heart was the greatest thing he owned? In between songs calling out her heart-breaker, emanates tracks like “Indestructible”, “Survivor”, and “Strength Of A Woman”, where Mary declares she is going to be okay, and one day, she is going to be great. Sometimes, when you are in a rut, okay, is the best feeling you can get, but it is also the foundation for feeling good again.
Mary J. Blige – Love Yourself (Lyric Video) ft. Kanye West
With features from Kaytranada, Prince Charlez, Missy Elliott, BADBADNOTGOOD, Kanye West, and Dj Khaled, it is hard not to feel good to this album. I could blast the bassline of “Glow Up” from my car and dance all night to the radiating synths of “Find My Love”. Mary has provided a record that is a full sensory/ mood experience on heartache. You can lie in your bed and empathetically cry to “Thank You” or call a friend and be determined to get back up and “Smile”. Thus, Strength Of A Woman is an achievement for Mary J. Blige and music because it is a clear, vulnerable record that universally encompasses heartbreak without any gimmicks, “fluff”, or beats meant to overshadow hurt. Though this R&B record provided many songs to dance and sing-along, most importantly, it provides healing. For More Information Mary J. Blige and to Buy Strength of A Woman on April 28 Click Here.
