Rebellious Soul

K. Michelle returns from industry exile with a sweeping R&B debut. Personal turmoil sabotaged her early career until a star-making reality-TV turn resurrected her—and, boy, does she stage a grand re-entrance here. The fiery singer bursts into piano-cascading opener “My Life” to say that unless you’ve seen a man die, you don’t know her struggle. It’s a pre-emptive attack, but she’s no easier on herself, baring all on the heart-rending ballad “I Don’t Like Me” and the rueful, gospel-inspired “Sometimes”. Catharsis leads to forgiveness and even redemption, however, with the lush soul jubilance of “V.S.O.P.”