August 07, 2010

Buoyed by a favorable divorce settlement, a baby boy and a newly released high-energy dance album, "Flesh Tone," the recently single Kelis is ready to bring the boys back to the yard. Backed by an elevating electro beat on the David Guetta-produced first single, "Acapella," the raspy-voiced New Yorker proclaims, "Before you, my whole life was acapella/Now a symphony's the only song to sing." And accompanied by a thumping bassline and an intergalactic-style production on second single "4th of July (Fireworks)," Kelis sings about an intoxicating love ("Nothing I'll ever say or do will be as good as loving you/ You make me high"). During the song "Scream" she confesses to being in a love rut, but gets it all out over a soothing piano line. And alongside a throbbing dance beat on "Emancipate," the singer finds a healthy, balanced love ("Let me tell you what love is/It's when you meet each other halfway/ I'm en route").—Mariel Concepcion

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