It’s Oscar season, so that means its time to irrationally defend the movies we enjoyed in previous year!
After the excellent Sinners – my movie of the year, BTW – came away with a record 16 Oscar nominations, I made a comment that only fans with the deepest R&B lore would understand:
“I hope Sinners doesn’t get India.Arie’d at the Oscars.”
For those too young to know, or just wanted to forget painful moments, India’s debut album Acoustic Soul netted her seven Grammy nominations in 2002. She won NONE, in one of the most irritating snubs in Grammy history. India would go on to win several in subsequent years, including two the following year, but the 2002 fiasco continues to prove my longstanding mantra – awards don’t determine the culture. The music does.
And India.Arie has made her stamp on the culture.
India was one of the most prominent voices in the early 2000s’ neo-soul movement, bringing much needed empowerment and vulnerability to a genre that becoming increasingly obsessed with gloss and image. Her contributions are often underrated today, so lets look back at the albums that made up the backbone of the neo-soul era.
6. Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship (2006)
Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Edd said: Yeah, we’re starting off with the HOT TAKES, but before you prepare to apply your keys to the sides of my car, let me make it clear – India doesn’t have a bad album, including Testimony: Vol. 1. Here, she closely sticks to the script that she followed throughout the 2000s – soulful wisdom wrapped in layers of empowerment and faith. And while nothing’s outright bad, several songs feel like rehashes of well-worn topics. It’s a decent listen but it fails to separate itself from the pack.
Forgotten favorites: “These Eyes,” “India’Song”
5. SongVersation (2013)
Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Edd said: SongVersation may be India’s most upbeat project. Not only do we get burst of magnificent production – “Flowers,” for example – but the writing here is pure poetry at times. See “Moved By You”: “You’re the color of loyal … I’m intoxicated with joyful.” The album does lose momentum going into the second half, drifting off course just a tad, but India eventually rights the ship and closes out strong.
Forgotten favorites: “Flowers,” “Moved By You,” “Break the Shell”
4.Worthy (2019)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: A six-year absence might as well be a 60-year absence in the world of music, so the R&B landscape was a much different place with India returned in 2019. While the genre was struggling to find its identity, India confidently stepped in with the poise of a veteran and the wisdom of the ancestors. Worthy delivered India’s trademark brand of poignant commentary and musical intimacy in an era that sorely needed direction. The production is sleeker and more assertive that usual – you can feel her confidence on each track. It was unfairly overlooked at the time but is one of the underrated gems of her catalog. And speaking of underrated…
Forgotten favorites: “That Magic,” “What If,” “Crazy”
3. Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics (2009)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: We don’t talk enough about the success of Testimony: Vol. 2. Some may remember that it’s quietly home to one of her biggest hits – “Chocolate High” with Musiq Soulchild. But there’s much more to the story. After Vol. 1 started to feel like a retread, India wisely diversifies her sound – “River Rise” gives gospel vibes, “Pearl” exudes Latin flavor and the bluesy “Better Way” thumps like a new-age negro spiritual. India was in her bag here.
Forgotten favorites: “Yellow,” “Long Goodbye,” “Ghetto”
2. Voyage to India (2002)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: “The only constant in the world is change.” India kicks off her sophomore album with a phrase that would define the project. Voyage to India reflects a different side, and a different sound, for Ms Arie. The production is more adventurous than its predecessor – a little funkier, little jazzier but the life lessons hit just as hard. She leans heavy on her spirituality while revisiting the album’s main narrative – healing: healing from family, from broken relationship, and yes, after the Grammys fiasco, healing from silly award shows too. The growth was necessary and the results are great.
Forgotten favorites: “Good Man,” “Talk to Her,” “Headed in the Right Direction”
1. Acoustic Soul (2001)
Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5
Edd said: When you hear the name India.Arie, this is probably the album that comes to mind, and for good reason. In an industry obsessed with manufacturing inauthentic perfection, Acoustic Soul was the genuine, authentic breath of fresh air that filled our lungs. India’s vocals are so sincere, the production is so intimate and the conversational writing makes each syllable so relatable. Acoustic Soul had no desire to fit into the mold, its goal was to break it and find beauty in those flaws. It’s India’s most defining work, a cornerstone of the 2000s neo-soul movement, and the best album in her discography.
Forgotten favorites: “Patience,” “Nature,” “Always in My Head”
Now it’s your turn to tell me – what’s your favorite India.Arie album?
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