Fantasia, Sketchbook | Album Review

After releasing a so-so 5th studio LP, and an underrated holiday effort, Grammy-winning R&B artist Fantasia makes a strong return with Sketchbook.

The Definition of… (2016), the fifth studio album by Fantasia had its moments.  That said, it wasn’t the most accomplished album by the Grammy-winning R&B artist, nor did it sell the way previous albums had. She’d follow-up The Definition of… with a fantastic holiday album, Christmas After Midnight, which unfortunately, didn’t get the notoriety that it deserved.

After multiple albums issued on a major label (Christmas After Midnight was distributed by Concord), her entertaining sixth studio album, Sketchbook, marks her first independent effort, arriving via Rock Soul (licensed to BMG Rights Management).  The resulting project easily outpaces The Definition of… After penning a succinct review of the album The Urban Music Scene (make sure you check that out), here is the expanded, track-by-track analysis of my girl, and her Sketchbook, for The Musical Hype.

“History”

“History” commences with ample attitude, thanks to a bold, unapologetic intro.  Fantasia’s hype man makes it clear that “This is a push, bitch” and that the R&B diva is “Slaying these bitches.”  Fair enough. She certainly lacks no confidence in her own performance, asserting her return to be “The best comeback of the century.” Is that pushing it? Perhaps, but she’s convincing with her distinct, nuanced vocals, and production that blends elements of old-school funk and new school.

“I can’t let you give me PTSD (PTSD).” Hmm! On follow-up ✓ “PTSD,” Fantasia isn’t referencing post-traumatic stress disorder.  Rather, with the help of the autotune king, T-Pain, she replaces the ‘stress’ with ‘sex.’ The result is a sleek, modern-sounding contemporary R&B joint that contrasts her music of the past.  “You was talkin’ like you was gon’ be something, ooh,” she sings on the first verse, continuing, “I gave it to you / But you messed it up.” Yeah, we know exactly what she gave. T-Pain is definitely true to self, delivering the quasi-enduring, quasi-eye-roll worthy “Good God almighty, good googly moogly” during his guest verse (verse two).

“Believer” returns from a more modern R&B sound to more classic, throwback vibe. Even with more cues from the past, “Believer” is no anachronism, even if it never approaches the same level of modern of “PTSD.”  All the Fantasia cues are in place – the lead vocals, the harmonized backing vocals, and respectable songwriting.  Arguably, this classy, sound love song is one of the more underrated moments from Sketchbook.

“Enough”

‘Grown-folks’ R&B ballad ✓ “Enough” marked Grammy-winner Fantasia’s first new single since releasing Christmas After Midnight in 2017. Although more than four-and-a-half-minutes long, “Enough” ends up being worth every second of its duration. The production work is a big selling point, with it’s a lush mix of adult contemporary R&B, urban contemporary, and pop. There’s brilliant, ear-catching use of pads, string bass, claps, and electric guitar. The sound is old-school, hearkening back to the adult contemporary R&B of the 80s and 90s.

Fantasia delivers strong vocals, which is always the expectation for the powerhouse artist.  A well-sung, memorable chorus is where her ‘bread is buttered.’ As for the premise of “Enough,” it’s real love, with her inability to “get enough” of him. On the first verse, she asserts, “I could just live here in your arms, I don’t wanna move.” On the second, she states, “And I’ll risk it all for you, baby, no, I ain’t got no shame, oh.” Later, on the bridge, she sings:

“All this love is more than I prayed for
More than I would see in a lifetime
And it’s getting stronger
Baby, just stay here with me.”

All in all, she ‘brings the heat’ and ‘delivers the goods’ on “Enough.”

“The Way!” 

“The Way!” is a fitting follow-up to “Enough,” given the fact that both records reside in that adult contemporary, grown-folks brand of R&B.  “The Way!” is short (just a little more than two minutes in duration), sort of old-fashioned in sound, but suits Fantasia well all in all.  “Enough” is the more accomplished number, but “The Way!” certainly highlights Barrino’s prowess in this style.

“I’m just a confident, independent, getting it, intelligent, woman / And if my confident, independence, go and get it, intelligence scares ya…” Ah, ✓ “Bad Girl” ranks among the ‘crown jewels’ of Sketchbook, hands down. “Bad Girl” features lush production work that is unapologetically R&B, courtesy of Carmael Frith, Jevon Hill, Stanley Green, and Theodore Thomas.  Furthermore, “Bad Girl” thrives off of high-flying, spirited lead vocals from Fantasia, and superb, backing vocals further amplifying and supporting her cause.  This empowered anthem’s best moment comes courtesy of the chorus:

“Then I’ll be the bad girl
The one that you really want
The one that won’t settle for nothing
And make you show just what you’re made of
Yeah, I’ll be the bad girl
The one that you’re scared to love
I’ll make you face all your fears, then wipe all your tears
So, toughen up, and fall for the bad girl.”

“Free” 

“Free” has a tough act to follow – “Bad Girl” is epic – but holds its own exceptionally well.  This gives Fantasia a socially conscious number, hearkening back to the soul of old, yet feeling pertinent to times like these.  One of my personal favorite moments comes during the second verse, where Fantasia sings, “Ain’t gonna mute your voice, I’m gonna shout it really loud / The marathon continues, Nipsey, I hope we make you proud.”  The Grammy-winner taps into her gospel roots with ✓ “Holy Ghost.”  That said, “Holy Ghost” opts for the 2010s, hip-hop-oriented approach to gospel as opposed to Rev. James Cleveland or Shirley Caesar.  This isn’t a record filled with ample depth, but it’s fun and also finds Fantasia praising her Lord and Savior.    

With “Free” and “Holy Ghost” being pretty strong, “Take Off” isn’t quite as triumphant.  It’s respectable, mind you, and the voice continues to shine, but it’s just not quite as memorable. “Take Off” has a more danceable, tropically tinged groove, which has been a bit ‘over played’ in pop music as of late.  Arguably, Fantasia is a bit late to the party, yet at the same time, it’s still a respectable showing.

“Fighting”

If “Take Off” is the ‘weakest link’ of Sketchbook in an album with some terrific songs, ✓ “Fighting” has a case for the crowning achievement.  At worst, “Fighting” ranks among the crème de la crème.  The expected checkboxes – voice and production– are checked off for Fantasia.  Making “Fighting” even more thrilling is the theme of love and dedication, which is explored magnificently through the verses and summed up perfectly on the awesome chorus:

“As long as you’re here by my side
There’s no storm that we couldn’t survive
I never stopped fighting, fighting for us
There’s no mountain that we couldn’t climb
There’s no ocean, no river too wide
For me to stop fighting, fighting for us.”

The outro of “Fighting” is quite interesting, once more finding Fantasia embracing the sound of now with an uncredited rapper (who sounds like Future) agilely spitting some prudent, socially conscious vibes:

“Why fight with one another?
When we can fight with each other
Women fight for your brother
Cold world, they don’t love us.”

“Warning”

Following the ‘fight,’ Fantasia shines on the final two cuts of Sketchbook.  First comes ✓ “Warning,” which truly shows off the ‘rock-soul’ abilities of the diva.  The energy, from the onset, is one of the biggest pros.  The chorus is nothing short of epic, particularly the hook line, “Don’t you let her.” After amplifying the spirit of rock and soul, ‘Tasia returns to her roots once more on the contemporary gospel cut, ✓ “Looking for You” featuring Mama Diane.  A much cooler cut, “Looking for You” still has a respectable amount of energy and oomph. Having her mother on the track provides a nice contrast, but also shows some of the vocal similarities.  Also, worth mentioning again, are the background vocals, which are on-point throughout the course of Sketchbook.

Final Thoughts 

The Definition of… was a disappointing Fantasia album in my eyes – and I’m a super fan.  Sketchbook is definitely a more enjoyable, better rounded album from the often-underrated Grammy winner.  Why Sketchbook works in my eyes is because it shows that Barrino isn’t one dimensional.  Yes, she’s R&B overall, but she has the ability to thrive in pop, rock, hip-hop, and of course, gospel.  The result is quite a pleasant album more people should be talking about. 

✓ Gems: “PTSD,” “Enough,” “Bad Girl,” “Holy Ghost,” “Fighting,” “Warning” & “Looking for You”  

Fantasia • Sketchbook • Rock Soul / BMG Rights Management • Release: 10.11.19

Photo Credits: Rock Soul / BMG Rights Management