Cynthia Erivo released her second solo album titled “I Forgive You” June 6. Between the star’s success in the film “Wicked” and the start of Pride Month, Erivo didn’t pull any punches with this soulful album.
The release is a declaration of freedom, forgiveness and fearlessness. The hour-long album delves deep into the human experience and Erivo’s most authentic self.
Throughout the record, she embraces her bisexuality with pride, using her music as a space to celebrate every part of herself.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Erivo said the songs are personal anecdotes from her past and present that led her to forgive others and herself.
Her aptly named album is meant to give listeners the license to say the words “I forgive you,” even if they aren’t quite ready to say it in their personal lives, she said.
During the two years it took to craft the album, Erivo was inspired by artists like Toni Braxton and Prince and collaborated with songwriter and producer Will Wells.
Soft instrumentals and supporting background vocals allow her voice to shine and her words to take center stage.
Pinpointing the genre of the album isn’t easy. It weaves together pop, R&B, folk and gospel.
The album begins with a 41-second interlude titled “Why,” introducing Erivo’s vulnerability and setting the emotional groundwork for what follows. The angelic background vocals suggest a confessional tone that invites the listener in.
Out of the 20 tracks on “I Forgive You,” three songs stand out for their emotional weight and lyrical depth: “Worst of Me,” “Play the Woman” and “Replay.” Each offers unique insight into Erivo’s world, anchoring the album's message.
“Worst of Me” was the second single from this album. It was released April 11 and has already amassed over 1.4 million streams on Spotify — proof the song resonated with listeners.
Lyrics like “I gave you my all, you took the worst of me,” highlight the emotional toll of exposing one’s flaws in a relationship.
The album takes a bolder turn with “Play the Woman,” where she confronts societal expectations and challenges traditional gender roles placed on women.
The chorus seemingly taunts social norms, repeating the question, “Could you play the woman for me?” The provocative suggestion could be interpreted in two ways: society asking women to play their role, or Erivo inviting men to step into the shoes of their female counterparts.
Either interpretation rejects the pressure to “play a role” dictated by others. They tie into broader conversations about feminism, identity and gender, making it relatable to listeners.
Paired with her powerful vocals, the strong lyrics make Erivo a force to be reckoned with.
Erivo shifts gears again with the song “Replay,” another early release from Feb. 28. The tune dives into the emotional aftermath of love, echoing her past pain and the search for closure.
She spells out her cycle of overthinking and insecurity in the first verse with lines like “And I can’t convince myself that you would never want to leave,” and “All the voices in my head say I’m not worth the time you spent.”
In the chorus, Erivo acknowledges that she is a “constant work in progress” with a mind “like a record, set up on auto-replay.” The song’s repetitive nature is like a lullaby, embodying a cyclical melody of revisiting old wounds and struggling to grow past them.
The album is an emotional journey that doesn’t end in a traditional “happy ending” but concludes with a sense of peace. The final song, “Grace,” brings the album to a tender close.
With minimal instrumentals featuring a lone guitar and soft delivery, the lyric “I hope I see you again” is an open-ended, hopeful conclusion.
After listening to the album, it becomes clear that, despite Erivo’s growing fame and otherworldly vocals, she is still human. Each song is a testament to her journey through life and acceptance.
She invites listeners to join her in accepting imperfections, confronting pain and finding strength in forgiveness. It is a timely release that resonates deeply with the LGBTQ+ community.
Contact Isis Snow at isnow@alligator.org. Follow her on X @snow_isisUF.
Isis Snow is a junior sports journalism student and a general assignment reporter for The Avenue. She enjoys reading and working out whenever she has the opportunity.
