Artiste: Etana

Album: Free Expressions

Genre: Reggae

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

After releasing her debut album The Strong One in 2008, it is a more vocal and lyrically mature Etana who emerges on her sophomore album Free Expressions.

The singer spreads her wings showcasing not only the rootsy style that pivoted her to stardom, but a more romantic vintage technique.

A 15-track album, Free Expressions is just that, as Etana expresses her softer side in a number of songs but still keeps it conscious.

Starting off with the powerful and inspiring Free, Mocking Bird picks up the socially conscious note as she sings "my soul is cleaner than the deep blue sea, dem cyaan ketch me", before going into a rare deejay-like moment. People Talkis a song of encouragement as she asks persons to "never let them get you down, never let them see you frown".

lover's rock

A slew of relationship and love-oriented songs follow starting with the touching Heart Broken, done in true lover's rock style. From singing about the bad side of love, Etana moves into praising a good man in I Know You Love Me, I Got You and the already released Happy Heart.

From there Etana takes a more sombre note with War as she says "there will always be war", spirituality arises in Retribution and persons should be familiar with the tribute to her hometown with August Town.

Free Expressions ends on a happy note with Dance, as she encourages persons to enjoy themselves slow dancing in the party. Etana explores a number of topics in her sophomore album taking persons on a journey. She also explores a more lover's rock, vintage sound that is easy to listen to with her melodious voice. Overall, Free Expressions is a good mellow listen from start to finish.

- Krista Henry

Track Listing:

1) Free

2) Mocking Bird

3) People Talk

4) Heart Broken

5) I Know You Love Me

6) I Got You

7) Happy Heart

8) My Name Is

9) Moving On

10) War

11) Retribution

12) August Town

13) Venting

14) Day by Day

15) Dance