Music Review: John Legend – Love In The Future Mark Harris Monday, September 16, 2013 The Studio Regardless of how things may go, John Legend is always liable to have some good music. It all started with Get Lifted, his introduction into R&B solo music. After that, he came with the soothingly melodic Once Again. Taking a different direction with Evolver, some considered it his least favorable album. With Love In The Future, many listeners are wondering where he will go with his music. After listening to this album for over 2 weeks, it seems as if John Legend wanted to make great music on his own terms. Regardless of the originality of the track, John Legend still unleashes his soul into the music. The Bobby Caldwell classic “Open Your Eyes” gets a reboot to ensure both R&B and hip hop lovers can nod their heads in unison. The track “Who Do You Think You Are” comes through with lush soul samples and an equitably nice Rick Ross verse to make it complete. Yet, it is the short but sweet “Angel”, featuring the angelic toned Stacy Barthe, which should have become a full length song. Even still, John Legend lets his inner sanctum shine over samples of familiarity. The best thing about this album, however, is the simple-yet-effective song writing that becomes personal by the minute. “So Gone” plays like an anthem for those that want to live life for themselves while John reflects on how he had to “make it on his own”. “You And I” is the dedication to the love of his life. But, it is the observance of her beauty in his eyes in combination with his surroundings that make the song so endearing. It is these moments of self-expression that will win any John Legend fan over. On Love In The Future, John Legend reaches in the past and the present to express where he wants to head. Many may miss out on the true meaning of this album. Others will make their own meaning of it. Either or, we all have to realize that John Legend is expressing himself through the language of love. That language will exist in the present, reach back to the past, or touch on future desires. With that said, it is easy to see that John Legend made an album full of great music for whatever time period is on anyone’s mind.
