THE ART OF LOVE & WAR - ANGIE STONE
Angie Stone joins the reactivated Stax imprint with her fourth studio album “The Art of Love & War,” which is more about the former than the latter, and emphasizes gratitude above anything else. “God’s been too good to me to take things lightly,” she announces on “Take Everything,” and the songs strive to “keep it real,” even when she’s exiting a relationship or two. Stone remains impressive as a vocalist, an old-school soul with an understated delivery that’s more hushed than histrionic. Highlights: the a cappella “Go Back to Your Life,” the socially conscious “My People” and “Pop Pop,” which has a subtle, jazzy, beatnik vibe.
