Macy Gray began working on
The Sellout just after her fourth studio album,
Big, and the reasons it took three years to release are evident from the credits: she wrote lyrics plus music for most of the songs. (She also happens to wield one of the most naturally talented voices in R&B.) The first single, "Beauty in the World," has a lyric and melody by
Gray alone, with positive sentiments to match the quadrennial gathering of nations at the World Cup (for which she released it as a single). There is still a parade of composer collaborations on
The Sellout, leading to plenty of solid moments, including the
Rodney Jerkins production on "Help Me," the tender "Still Hurts" (written by
Teedra Moses and
Gray), and a few songs written and produced by
Jared Lee Gosselin and
Phillip White -- including "Real Love" with
Bobby Brown, which succeeds wildly with its updated quiet storm production.
Gray's vocals have only gotten better with time, and although she doesn't attempt to stretch at all, she's still one of the best-felt voices in neo-soul. ~ John Bush