Strength of a Woman

After investigating UK club culture on 2014’s <i>The London Sessions</i>, Mary J. Blige returns to hip-hop soul to process her broken marriage. Survivor’s spirit, regal horns and a bravura verse from Kanye West combine on invigorating opener “Love Yourself”, while her F-you vocal outshines a supporting cast of Missy Elliott, DJ Khaled and Migos’ Quavo on “Glow Up”. Turning pain into compelling music has long been Blige’s trademark, but her choice of inventive producers—particularly KAYTRANADA on “Telling the Truth”’s glitchy soul—keeps pushing her sound forward.