Hearing Chrisette Michele soulfully hook singing on Rick Ross' "Aston Martin Music" was a bit of tease before the release of her third album and although that softness shows itself on her new release, Let Freedom Reign, Michele does just that with her voice and introspective songwriting. Michele creates a model from her previous albums with producer Chuck Harmony providing production for the entire album and Michele returning to writing most of its songs. While Let Freedom Reign is more up-tempo than her previous efforts it's Michele's songwriting that rings true to the album's title. While little is known about Michele's personal life her songwriting on Let Freedom Ring tells her story concerning love, heartache, life, and freedom-whether it be in relationships or the crazy music industry. The first single I'm A Star and Number One are proclamations of self-empowerment that are believable through Michele's assertive voice. Even where Michele is not as confident like on the John Legend penned I Don't Know Why, But I Do she manages to find the freedom to express her strength in loving someone despite not knowing the right words which is better than saying nothing at all. Listeners will be pleasantly surprised at Michele's rap turn on the albums title track in which she vocally holds her own next to two of hip-hop's most critically acclaimed lyricists Black Thought of the Roots and Talib Kweli. The track explores the social issues of the day best articulated by Thought and Kweli and is a soulful cry by Michele to appreciate the freedoms we have in this country, good or bad. The only other feature brings Rick Ross and Michele back together on So In Love where Ross sounds a little aggressive against Michele's musings about the freedom of being vulnerable to new love. A must hear is Michele's reflective If Nobody Sang Along where she sings with raw emotion questioning the reason for her artistry. Michele has evolved musically while keeping the very essence of herself. With Let Freedom Ring Michele is giving listeners everything they want from her and a little bit more.