After a three-year hiatus spent raising her children, Macy Gray has returned to the music world with a spirited new album, The Sellout. Gray, a self-proclaimed jazz singer, has persevered since her debut and creates music difficult to duplicate. Carving out an intriguing niche as a chameleonic artist, Gray can meld hip-hop with pop, rock, jazz, soul and funk.
A vibrantly crafted album, The Sellout features Gray’s unique voice in every song. While some tracks seem reminiscent of past hits, fans will not be disappointed by the growth she exhibits in this album.
The album name was initially penned to be The Gray Life, but for Gray, the track “The Sellout” represented a complete summary of the album and became a more fitting title. The track draws from the emotions Gray felt when recording her earlier work. Gray reflects on her willingness to conform to the demands of her record label.
The release of her 2007 album, Big, brought both economic and emotional failure, and “The Sellout” alludes to that experience. She sings, “And I’m out on a limb
/ I’m giving in /
I’m selling out to the pay, to the show
/ This is my gimmick and I wanna win it /
I’m selling out.”
The remainder of the album showcases Gray’s new outlook in a variety of ways. The song “Kissed It” hints at the rock album Gray aspires to create, featuring the instrumental talent of Velvet Revolver. The verses powerfully build to a rock ‘n’ roll chorus, making it the standout track on the album.
Gray accesses her soulful side in a handful of tracks on The Sellout. “Let You Win” is a soulful blend of guitar and drums, perfect for a rainy day. Gray collaborates with Bobby Brown on the track “Real Love.” Most eligible for radio airplay, this song creates an old school feel backed by strong harmonies. In “Help Me,” Gray produces an edgy track by fusing ’60s-style soul with gospel.
While this album did not debut at number one on the Billboard Charts, it is a steady comeback for Gray. The immense variety on the record makes it clear Gray worked hard to record a respectable album. Trying to top her early success as a five-time Grammy nominated artist is difficult, but as she announces in the track, “The Comeback,” “Hey big world / It’s me again / I’m coming way back to be big again.”