For most artists the sophomore album is a crucial one. If its predecessor was a hit, the bar is set high and if it was a flop, this album could feasibly make or break their career. Many artists have fallen into the curse that is the sophomore jinx, but Chrisette Michele manages not only to meet the bar, she exceeds all previous expectations with Epiphany.
With Epiphany, Michele’s traditional vocal stylings have evolved into a more well rounded R&B sound, retaining the jazz influences from her debut album; I am, yet adding more of a modern, urban, youthful vibe.
On Epiphany, Michele mainly focuses on the joys and sorrows love brings from the viewpoint of a strong, independent woman, with a fragile heart.
The first single “Epiphany,” bearing the albums title, begins with “It’s over.” The Ne-Yo produced, piano driven single describes how Michele has finally come to an important realization and decides that it’s time to leave an unhealthy relationship. It is the perfect opening to a stellar album.
Following “Epiphany” is the beautifully written ballad “Notebook”, describing how Michele is afraid to tell a prospective mate that she has a crush and instead opts to confide in the pages of her notebook.
The album hit’s its stride with “Blame It on Me”, where vocally Michele is at her finest, confessing that she doesn’t care who takes the blame for a failed relationship “as long as it’s over”.
Next is “All I Ever Think About.” It’s strings, heavy bass, kicks, and impassioned vocals make it the album’s best, as Michele bares her soul over missing her love.
Epiphany successfully moves from soulful melodies to the urban-pop with the acoustic guitar-ridden “Playin’ Our Song” and “On My Own”. The former has Michele convincing herself that she’s fine after a breakup, while the latter has Michele acknowledging its time to become her own woman.
Many of the album’s standouts were written and produced by R&B singer, Ne-Yo, including “Porcelain Doll, “Another One” and “What You Do”. Michele is a modern day Billie Holiday on the feisty empowering, “Porcelain Doll”, proclaiming boldly that she is no one’s trophy.
