There are at least like, I dunno, 5 essential albums everyone should own (4566563 if you’re gay), and Kelis‘ Fleshtone is two of them. I don’t know how the math works out, it just fucking does. If you want me to show my work, no, and go hang out with all my math teachers.

 

I honestly don’t know where to start, so we can just start with the first single: “Acapella“. Released in February of 2010 and produced by David Guetta, “Acapella” is a club-ready banger that sees Kelis ecstatic about her newfound motherhood. The song is a jam and the video? Oh bitch, the video is an entire inter-dimensional fucking mood. The video emanates raw natural power while remaining very fashun (Praise Tyra!). Kelis takes on the jungle, the desert, and a K hole, donning multiple futuristic wardrobes that would have Kerli just green with envy! This was 2010, and still looks current AF, brava!

 

 

In no particular order, the next highlight is: “Brave“. I am a sucker for any song titled “Brave”, I mean hello, Jennifer Lopez‘s ill-fated 2007 album (I swear I’m the only person who bought it). The song was produced by Benny Benassi and released as the fourth and final single of the album, but has always had a special place in my heart.

I’m not ashamed of winning
But it wasn’t that way in the beginning
It was this way
It was kiss me
Come kick me and diss me
I had to give it up

She grew from her past traumas and has both closure and the kind of perception that hindsight brings. It’s a powerful feeling:

 

“Song For the Baby” had me nervous af after the infamous “My Baby” debacle starring Britney Spears (Tiiiiny hands)… But the title is a ruse! It is a cute, funky, upbeat ditty that has Kelis promising all kinds of a good life to her little infant baby. Every time the song plays, I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I like it and how well it fits the album.

I love you more than you’ll ever know

With you love never dies

 

 

The final mention goes to “Scream“, the album’s third single and another quality-ass banger. Produced by David Guetta & Tocadisco, the song transitions from a dreamy sing-song vibe into a spoken-word beat-heavy conflagration that’s sure to set pussies ablaze. I am always here for shifting production and a song that’s almost all over the place. Fuck a formulaic song, have some fun artists!

 

 

This is by no means an exhaustive review of one of the most carefully crafted dance albums by an R&B artist, so do your homework and go listen. And can we get a fucking sequel? I think the world needs a few GREAT dance albums.