Recommended tracks: “Save Me From You,” “Holy Refrain,” “Brick By Brick”
Artists you may like: Jennifer Hudson, Adele, Celine Dion
British singer and actress Cynthia Erivo has released her highly anticipated sophomore album, I Forgive You. Erivo recently rose to global superstardom following her groundbreaking performance as Elphaba Thropp in Wicked. She is letting her rapidly growing fanbase get to know her better on I Forgive You, where she tells an enthralling tale of losing love, finding love again, and ultimately finding herself.
This album has a whopping 20 tracks, and seems to be narratively divided into 4 parts: The unraveling of a relationship, the hot passion of a new fling, the evolution of said fling into much more, and a final settling into closure and peace. It’s full of drama and is very cinematic and orchestral in nature, which adds so much to the story. Erivo’s voice is an obvious delight, and we also get to enjoy her undeniable songwriting and storytelling prowess on I Forgive You.
The first section opens with an a capella interlude of Annie Lennox’s “Why.” It sets an emotional tone for the rest of the album, beginning with the next five tracks telling the story of a painful breakup.
A highlight from this first section is in “Best For Me,” when Erivo jumps an octave in the second chorus. Her voice is so powerful, and when she gets up into her higher register, it hits you right in the gut. “More Than Twice” features a moving ululation section. It’s seriously stunning, I had to listen a few times just to hear that part. “Save Me From You” is a haunting ballad that explores regret. I loved the rhythm in this song, and the “woulda-coulda-shoulda” play on words is so smart and catchy. This section of I Forgive You reaches deep into Erivo’s pain, and is so musically robust that the shift in vibes coming into the next section almost catches you off guard.
“I Want You (Interlude)” kicks off a new, very sexy part of the album where Erivo enjoys the heat of a new romance. This next set of songs delves into desire, tension, and passion. The story moves from the initial spark in country-adjacent “She Said” to the sultry, seductive tension in “What You Want.” “Play The Woman” offers a candid look into queer sexual power dynamics (“Could you play the woman for me / Go slow cause I like what I see”). We love when Erivo layers her vocals by the octave; it has such a silky quality that fits the mood perfectly. “Push and Pull” reveals some fears and hesitancy to get too invested (“I’ve been waiting all my life for this right here / Still, there’s something I fear”). It closes out the second chapter of the story with a more traditional R&B sound.
We move into a third chapter with “Until You Saw Me (Interlude),” which guides us into my favorite track, “Holy Refrain.” Anyone who appreciates gospel music will love this one. It’s truly hymnal, drawing poetic metaphors between her newfound love and religious devotion. “I Choose Love” is a powerful ballad in which Erivo owns her decisions, even though they hurt. It’s a happy song, but those strings and the chord progressions had us tearing up. Erivo croons a cozy a capella ode to her new love in “Be Okay,” which features a whistling section (yes, WHISTLING). The whole song feels like a warm hug, and it leads beautifully into “How I Could Fall.” This is an expression of thanks and adoration for the new lover. It would make a lovely wedding song. I wished for a moment that I could marry my partner again, just so I could do it to this song!
This final chapter of I Forgive You is one of closure. “I Forgive You (Interlude)” is a spooky tune that illustrates the significant moment of letting go once and for all. It feels like it should be set on a mountaintop in a castle on a stormy night, which is fitting for the intimidating task of forgiving someone who’s hurt you so deeply. “Replay” features Erivo being extremely honest with herself about her flaws and struggles. This may be the honesty she regrets not having in those first few songs. “Brick by Brick” is an epic waltz, during which Erivo speaks to those same fears from the previous song, maybe taking her power back, in a sense: “You don’t belong here, I’m keeping you locked outside.”
I Forgive You ends with “Grace,” a beautiful closer that genuinely feels like it would play during the end credits if this album were a movie.
This album is so thoughtfully put together. It peels back the many layers of falling in and out of love, processing hurt and desire, and bravely moving forward with imperfections in tow. Its honesty is refreshing and it’s so musically impressive, you’ll want to listen again and again.
I Forgive You is available to stream wherever you listen to music.
