
"Breathe" is the perfect introduction to Floetic Soul, as Stewart has made it the purpose of the album to remind us that every day is another opportunity to cease the day and not allow circumstances to determine the outcome of your situation. An inspirational anthem of sorts, Stewart gives us a glimpse of her very own mindset during her hiatus, as she encourages the listener to "breathe...gotta let it go so you can grow...it may be a lonely journey, but it's yours." If you have been following Stewart's journey, between interviews and her twitter page, you will be able to identify with her as she spews inspiration onto every track on this album. With the assistance of some very talented artists such as Raheem DeVaughn and the beautiful Lalah Hathaway, Stewart has taken advantage of her gift of words and used it to present her soul to the audience. With tracks such as "Let Me", "Overtime", "The Stand", and "Alright Then", it is safe to say that Stewart has come out from the shadows with songs that show not only where she is now in her personal journey, but also that she still has the same talent as before.
And while every album has an overall good feel, there are a few songs that hit you the most. The lead single, "Forever" featuring Musiq Soulchild was not only a power move on Stewart's part, but also rekindled that Floetry flame that we all know and love. The chemistry between these two artists is beyond beautiful. "Some don't understand. How could they understand? They don't believe in love, so why would they believe in us? Whatever you want from me you know you got it." There is something about this song that speaks to the unspoken insecurities in relationships. Everyone has a moment where they wonder why their partner "chose" them and what makes them so special. This song speaks to all of that and more. The second single, "You", is another track that speaks on the affects a pure love. "Took time and you gave me moments, exhaled then I regained focus," are the words that flow from Stewart as she describes the impact of her new love interest. "Come Over" featuring Lalah Hathaway is another steamy track that showcases intimacy that is shared between two interests. "I just wanna look at you while you open my mind..." The calling of a lover to fulfill desires is very present and without fear. Seriously, if that is not one of the sexiest aspects of love making, I'm not sure what is.
This album is intimate. It's personal. Between the poetry, the melodic rhythms, and overall vibe of this project, Floetic Soul is nothing short of awesome. This is a perfect step for The Floacist. For all of us Floetry fans, there are no disappointments. The connection between words and sounds are still present. Stewart's maturation is evident, and adds to the beauty of where she is now. Welcome back to cipher, Natalie. We missed you.