What makes Kelis so unique? Her name sparks images of vibrant colour and ignites a desire for milkshakes but perhaps her most significant characteristic is her perspective on her own fame. She sees making music as her work, outside of which her real life exists. A life which consists of real friends, a young son and a culinary degree. An avid fan of cooking, she has her own line of sauces which she refers to as her “accessories”, and a show on the Cooking Channel. So it is no surprise that her sixth studio album, entitled ‘Food’, is a mixing of different styles and energies.
After a sentimental opening, Jerk Ribs arrives. The bass line is immediately grabbing and rolls with great persistence. The track then builds over the bass and the listener is wrapped in blanket of smooth interchanging textures. The brass elevates whilst Kelis floats through the track. Her vocal is like silk. The reverb rich guitar pulses compliment whilst the piano and subtle synths appear and disappear. The result is a well balanced mural, where everything is visible but nothing is in excess.
The mood is again shifted in the album’s standout, Change. Kelis enters moving slowly with minimal instrumentation. The seductive percussion and background vocal drone is hypnotic. The arabic melodies are mixed with Mexican style guitar chords and brass. The track is soaked in seductive imagery and swims through the body with soothing calm. The combinations of different styles mimic a chef ,whose afflicting herbs and spices will create a masterpiece if balanced correctly.
The rhythm of the album is wonderful. The differing tracks disable the listener from predicting what will be next. Bless the Telephone is charming. Consisting of acoustic and electric guitars under Kelis’ vocal duet with Sal Masekela, the track is significant for it’s absence of the layering and texture combinations of previous numbers. There are hints of Road Trippen by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and its hard not to see Simon and Garfunkel in the melody. The folk elements are matched superbly with the lyrical theme of connectivity despite physical separation. The work screams Motown whilst the orchestral intro to Forever Be breathes elements of I am the Walrus by Beatles.
The album is simply packed with tracks which demand to be revisited. Kelis is seductive, charming and confident. Her sometimes crunchy and always raspy vocal is excellent and at no point attempts to overtake the tracks. She flows with the rhythm of the work and shifts from powerful to siren song hypnotism unflinchingly. She allows herself to elevate with her imagination and paints altering aural landscapes. The result of her exploration is simply wonderful. The result is Food!