Kelis
Food
(Ninja Tune)

Many remember Kelis from her biggest hit, “Milkshake,” in 2003. Forever one for reinventing her music style and interests, Food is the Harlem native’s first album in four years, since 2010′s Flesh Tone. However, at some point between her notoriously creative Kelis Was Here LP in 2006, the mother of one became a certified saucier, having attended Le Cordon Bleu a year or so later. Now signed with UK indie label Ninja Tune and teaming up with TV On the Radio’s Dave Sitek, her sixth album is a culinary-inspired medley of soul, funk, gospel and alternative tunes. Opening with “Jerk Ribs,” Food moves smoothly and confidently through “Breakfast,” “Hooch,” “Cobbler,” and onto “Fish Fry” and “Biscuits ‘n’ Gravy.”

Speaking on the inspiration behind the new music, Kelis said in a recent interview, “I grew up listening to a lot of gospel and a lot of jazz. And some Latin — like salsa and merengue. That’s sort of where it all started for me.” She continued: “I wanted something that felt like it stood on its own, whether it was me playing it now or my friend playing it 30 years from now.”