Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 110 Best Albums of the 2010s, representing a varied cross-section of artists, genres, and styles. Click “Next Album” below to explore each album in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & album index here.

KELIS | Food
Ninja Tune (2014)
Selected by Quentin Harrison

BUY ON AMAZON

  
    [As an Amazon affiliate partner, Albumism earns commissions from qualifying purchases.]

After the glassy electronica of Flesh Tone in 2010, Kelis set her sights on returning to the rhythm and blues that birthed her. Not looking back to the bombastic hip-hop and digital soul emblematic of her first four outings, Food—her sixth album—deliciously employs a panoply of band-based funk, rock and black pop sonics. Lyrically, Food is as personal as Flesh Tone, but the intimacy of Kelis’ vocals against tracks of this song cycle sparks with an even more intense passion that will be tough for her to top going forward.

NEXT ALBUM >

LISTEN & WATCH:

Her New World Of Funk: 30 Years On, Aaliyah’s ‘One In A Million’ Is Still Hot Like Fire

A masterwork of its era, ‘One In A Million’ was a beam supporting the bridge between the joyful excesses of early ‘90s R&B and the burgeoning cool of neo soul.

Pearl Jam’s Debut Album ‘Ten’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary

Most records are missing one of these elements: technical virtuosity, raw emotion, and balanced structure. Pearl Jam’s dynamic debut LP impressively possesses all three in droves.

Blur’s Debut Album ‘Leisure’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary

For those of you who were champions of Blur from the very beginning with their underappreciated debut LP, you have been rewarded handsomely in the decades since.