With swoon-worthy ballads, piano, and that powerful, instantly recognisable voice, Bigger Love showcases everything that’s made John Legend an EGOT-winning star.
Now seven studio albums in, the singer-songwriter is best known for his more romantic offerings. As the star takes inspiration from his family — his wife of seven years Chrissy Teigen and their two young children — there are plenty more of those; from the title track (accompanied by an adorable lockdown video) to upbeat, I Do.
But as the impressive 16-track collection soon proves, Legend’s musical range extends far beyond amorous, soulful offerings. The reggae-tinged Don’t Walk Away shows his sexier side, and he pays homage to his hip-hop inspirations: the opening bars of Actions sample David McCallum’s The Edge, famously used by Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg for the opening of The Next Episode, and he recruits Jhené Aiko for a divine duet, U Move, I Move.
Never Break is both a beautiful ode to his wife and a defiant statement on global affairs. He sings: “The world is dangerous/ Throw it all at us/ There’s nothing that we cannot take.”
