John Legend’s latest album arrives several months after his baby daughter, which was not an event the soul man was likely to ignore on record.
Against the odds, Right by You (For Luna) is smouldering, not syrupy, and it’s as sure-footed as the other 11 songs that artfully combine modern and classic sounds.
More focused than 2013’s sprawling Love in the Future, Legend’s fifth album is full of ideas without diluting his talent. While the piano and towering vocal on power ballad I Know Better may feel familiar, he’s equally adept at throbbing club tunes such as What You Do to Me.
There are decent collaborations too, including Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard on the fiery title track. Whether singing duets or solo, Legend’s soulful sincerity shines through on a record that lives up to his name.
(Columbia)
