Despite
John Legend
's superabundant evidence of talent and achievements as a singer, songwriter, and pianist, his profile seemed like that of a celebrity peddling music on the side by the time he issued his first album of the 2020s. Relating to that notion,
Bigger Love
sounds cobbled together compared to
Love in the Future
and
Darkness and Light
, two of his previous and inspired albums. No two tracks share the same production credits, but
Legend
at least keeps it loosely tied together with nonstop positive and emphatic lovey-dovey/libidinal energy, and is no doubt helped by input from executive producer and labelmate
Raphael Saadiq
, who contributed to
Once Again
and produced
A Legendary Christmas
.
Saadiq
also co-pilots with
Charlie Puth
on the smooth disco proposition "I Do," the ideal set-up for "One Life," a brawnier '70s dancefloor trip guided by
Anderson .Paak
Jeff Gitelman
. "Conversations in the Dark" is one of
's best ballads, atmospheric and devotional with just enough power and specificity in the words to weaken cynical romantics. Among the guests,
Gary Clark, Jr.
distinguishes the ballad "Wild" with a solo that sounds like it had to come out of him, and
Rapsody
slides into position on the
Al Green
throwback "Remember Us" with some of her grade-A narrative wordplay. For
fans who value the sound of the man's exceptional-as-ever voice,
will hold them over until the next release, without question. ~ Andy Kellman