Erykah Badu has never been one to conform to R&B's norms musically, stylistically or otherwise. It's only appropriate that on her first studio album in three years, "New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)," she manages to find cohesion amidst myriad sounds and influences.
If any recurring themes are to be found in "New Amerykah," they are slight nods to both political commentary (the war in Iraq) and the music of a genius (late hip-hop producer J Dilla).
The album is a look into Badu's stream of consciousness, a series of stark vignettes that often clash against what one would usually consider musical.
On one end, she is a mellow soulstress, as on the introspective, horn-driven "Me" and "Soldier." On the other end, she's deep into psychedelic funk as on the syncopated "The Healer," "My People" and "Twinkle."
But "New Amerykah" is at its best when she is most soulful.
The coffee shop-ready "Telephone" and the single "Honey," are the most reminiscent of her debut, "Baduizm," and are much more accessible songs than the lost-in-space weirdness of much of the album.
