Neo soul legend Jill Scott has returned to music with her album “To Whom This May Concern”, which is Scott’s first album since 2015’s “Woman.” The album features artists like Tierra Whack, Too $hort, Ab-Soul and JID.
The first track, “Be Great”, grabs your attention with horn spikes played by featured artist Trombone Shorty. One of the greatest talents Scott has, besides her demanding voice, is her ability to strike you with her pen.
Scott discusses the triumph and effort she puts into being good and wanting to feel free: “...Of a history that made me cry. And I was stumped in my stride, so I changed my mind.” The themes for the album are apparent: Motivation, triumph, self-improvement, love and positivity.
“Beautiful People” is another standout track on this project. The production is a jazzy, seventies soulful groove that sits behind Scott’s declarations of love. The love she is speaking on isn’t romance, but a love for people, her people.
This is another lyrically impressive song. The many ways Scott defines the strength, resistance and breadth of the love she has for her people is impressive and necessary. The art of songs centering on people, in a communal sense rather than intimate and personal relationships, has been lost to some degree. It also serves an important purpose during a time of division and disorder.
“Norfside” featuring Whack is such a master class in reaching back into nostalgia without sounding outdated. Scott raps on this track, which shows her range as an artist. The beat, produced by hip-hop production legend DJ Premier, effortlessly captures the ‘90s. The whole approach to this song is very ‘90s, and Whack, despite being a younger artist, flows effortlessly with Scott. Both women give praise to themselves while addressing hate, but ultimately celebrate their ability to rise above it.
“Pressha” was a personal favorite. Scott’s vocal approach is smoother as she introduces the dilemma she was in, wanting to love a man out loud when he wanted to keep their relationship under wraps. The chorus directly confronts the secrecy, and Scott sings about not being enough physically for this person. Not fitting “the aesthetic” and being wanted but not publicly.
“A Universe” and “Liftin’ Me Up” are both beautiful songs. In both these songs, Scott has found a person who loves her. In “A Universe,” she thinks she’s done with love, not in a bitter way, but in an accepting way. She’s secure with her family and friends; her own little world.
Then she meets the eyes of a lover who she can see entire universes in. A song like this reminds me of Scott’s classics like “He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)” or “Cross My Mind“: smooth and lovely. “Liftin’ Me Up” is about her trying to be as positive as possible, but losing herself in dark moments, only to be recovered by her lover, whose encouragement keeps her on the right path.
The pen of Scott remains unrivaled. “Ode to Nikki” featuring Ab-Soul was bound to be lyrically potent. Scott delivers in a spoken word-like cadence that demands the listener's full attention. Even if you can’t completely grasp what the subject is about, you know it’s important. The production is another highlight, adding a powerful ambiance to Scott’s striking diction. Ab-Soul does what Ab-Soul is known for: delivering a powerful and lyrically masterful verse.
“To B Honest” is about wanting to share space with a person, be in their world and take in their energy, but not in a negative way. Scott and JID value this person’s energy and light, and illustrate this through their verses while also asking for permission to be in their space. JID’s verse may be the best featured verse on the album: smooth but packed with intention.
“Right Here Right Now” opens with a younger woman asking “Miss Scott,” if she’ll ever be loved and if love is real. This was another personal favorite. There’s a lot of discourse over love in this generation, and Scott grounds younger listeners’ worries and fears by reminding them love is in us, around us and everywhere we go.
“Àṣẹ” is another powerful song. Scott has this effect where she’s able to make you feel personally seen and loved through her music. She speaks life into the listener, identifying them through positive imagery and instilling them with power and love. The word “asé” is similar to amen and is used to bring about change.
Scott’s comeback successfully maintains a classic Scott-like approach while also broadening her range and paying homage to historically black sounds. She also successfully creates a project that speaks to the listener, or whoever it may concern. Narratively, the project holds the hand of the listener as she recounts the wisdom she’s gained during her decade-long absence.
Rating: 4/5
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