I am a beautiful, powerful woman. I love each unique soul gracing this glorious earth. The glass is not half full; it's entirely full. Of wine! Listen to India.Arie enough and you too could find yourself gushing with content confidence.
Arie's new release Voyage to India portrays the same love-yourself affirmations as her debut Acoustic Soul (2001). Voyage to India takes listeners on an emotional and spiritual journey of their own, with Arie as their gentle guide.
Acoustic Soul produced anthem-like single "Video," which established Arie as the new I'm-every-woman heroine. Here's a woman who "loves herself unconditionally" even though she "ain't built like a supermodel." I can only strive for such self-assurance.
A competent songwriter, Arie has many reasons to be confident. Her lyrics are simple, straightforward and inspirational; her musical arrangements are lush, organic and unpretentious. Arie's music is a rare mesh of classic soul, blues, urban hip-hop and R&B.
Arie has incredible faith in herself, love, God and her music. Listening to Voyage to India is an emotional relief, a boost of Echinacea for the heart, an hour-long yoga session, a mug of chamomile tea, a vanilla bubble bath.
However, Arie's message is nothing new. Chaka Khan, Aretha, even Britney have already told us that we're strong women. Okay, I get it. I am woman, hear me roar... It's just that Arie makes me roar with such mellow assertiveness.
Arie kicks off the album's 16 tracks with the brief affirmation "Growth," which sets the contemplative tone for the following 52 minutes. Over the simple twang of an acoustic guitar, Arie sassily croons the sisterly advice, "The only thing constant in the world is change. That's why today I take life as it comes."
Arie certainly does take life as it comes, embracing and reveling in life's simple joys. The down-to-earth first single "Little Things" glorifies white cotton, cute shoes, sweet tea and peace of mind. Baby giggles, chiming bells and silky background vocals make "Little Things" a bubbly simple joy in itself.
Arie patiently shares her wisdom on tracks like feminist-friendly "Talk to Her," which echoes with handclaps and soul-train vocals, and independent-woman guide "Get It Together," which blooms with cello, violin and poignant plain-spoken lyrics. Arie's brand of feminism is accessible and easy to implement. Her advice to all: "No matter what anybody says, what matters most is what you think of yourself."
Loving others is just as important to Arie as loving herself. Irresistibly melodic "The Truth" describes each reason why Arie loves her man, and tenderly crafted "Complicated Melody" feels like a folksy flower-child love song, filled with humor, imagination and pure adoration.
Even greater than Arie's tenderness to others is her dedication to God. Arie's earnest faith dominates each song, especially elegant epic "God is Real." However, Arie never throws her faith in your face or chides you for not sharing her religious commitment.
Throughout Voyage to India, Arie's velvety vocals envelop listeners. This is the weathered voice of a woman who has emerged from her own voyage as a sanguine, poetic sage. Take your own voyage with India.Arie and find out where she can guide you.
