Erykah Badu finally returns with her the long-awaited fifth disc, New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War. Mz. Badu has plenty to say, and she receives a sonic assist from longtime collaborators Ahmir Thompson, Madlib and more. On “The Healer,” essentially Badu’s assessment that hip-hop is bigger than religion, is more commentary than boastful. On the lead-off single “Honey,” Badu boldly disregards the feel of the rest of the album for a sugary-sweet groove. New Amerykah … is Badu’s most eclectic full-length album to date, and it succeeds more than it doesn’t. – dusty culpepper

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