Fantasia
Side Effects of You
(RCA)

It appears to me that every successful artist has a story. Some have amazing lives growing up, and adult life takes a turn for the worst and some have turmoil growing up and the new found stardom propels them. Ms. Fantasia Barrino is no exception. Over the last two years, she has been through some scandals, had a baby, and reemerged unbothered by it all. I for one like that!

Fantasia, “America’s soul baby,” has a new album, which thoroughly depicts her self-proclaimed genre, “rock-soul.”

The album, entitle The Side Effects of You, takes us through the journey of a woman who has lived, loved, lost and realized she’ll be A-ok. Her first single, “Lose to Win,” from a marketing standpoint, may have not been the wisest choice in a current era of “party hard.” On the contrary I love the record. Lyrically, it’s inspiring and lets women know letting go isn’t easy, but it is necessary.

Another favorite of mine is “Supernatural Love,” which features Big K.R.I.T., and gives me that original Fantasia formula. You can always know she will balance soul and R&B perfectly. “Without Me,” featuring Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliot, is as expected – amazing! Ms. Kelly proves why she’s still in the game and Missy is like wine – better with time. I wasn’t a fan of “End of Me” and the album’s title track was lackluster and really couldn’t keep me interested throughout the entire song.

There’s also “So Much to Prove” and “Ain’t All Bad,” which exhibit her maturity and growth. Life has ups and downs and we all have our own personal story. What I appreciate is that Fantasia has refused to compromise the depiction of her’s, and is confident in her delivery. As her song title says, the “Truth Is” we all experience these songs in our own lives and should find comfort in knowing we’re not alone. All the side effects of love, life and figuring it all out in the process.