Reggae singer/songwriter sensation Etana returns with her highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Free Expressions’. This long awaited second album furthers Etana’s reputation as a skillful songwriter as she penned 12 of the album’s 14 tracks. Produced by Kemar Flava McGregor, Curtis Lynch Jr., Gussie Clarke, Stephen Stanley, Specialist & Alborosie, Joel Chin, Rohan Dwyer & Specialist!
Etana is an exciting artist with a powerful voice and a range of musical moods. ‘Free Expressions’ includes 14 songs that display her unique brand of pop–reggae, soulful voicing and personal lyrics on progressive one drop riddims with rock flavoured instrumentation. Etana’s debut ‘The Strong One’ (VPCD1800) garnered multiple hits and established Etana as a fresh new female voice on the international scene. Her sophomore effort will elevate her to an even broader audience with infectious hooks of ‘I Know You Love Me’, ‘My Name Is’ (a remake of the hit by Japanese artist Pushim), ‘Free’ and the first single ‘Heart Broken’.
Press release:
(VP RECORDS, NEW YORK) – Reggae singer/songwriter sensation Etana returns with her highly anticipated sophomore album Free Expressions in February 2011 from VP Records. Before her new studio effort hits the shelves, VP Records is releasing a digital EP entitled Free, which features three of her current hits that are also included on the album. The digital EP drops on December 7, 2010, to satisfy fans during the wait for the full-length album.
Etana deems this second album Free Expressions because she adamantly refuses to be constrained by approach or lyrical content. “This album was produced a little differently from the first, most of the sessions were less planned so there is more of a free vibe,” she reveals. “I just wanted to express myself freely, write just what I want without thinking too hard about what anyone’s opinion would be – just doing music as I feel to do it.”
Fans are so consistently enthralled by Etana’s music that several tracks from Free Expressions have already topped the charts in Jamaica and reggae charts internationally, including “Free,” “August Town” and “Mockingbird.” The album’s first official single “Free” was produced by Kemar “Flava” McGregor and offers a somber reflection of a prolonged period of struggle endured by the artist. Its second single “Heart Broken” is equally as heartfelt with London- based producers Curtis Lynch, Jr. and Gussie Clarke at the helm.
Etana’s unabashed romanticism shines on the lovers’ rock tunes “I Know You Love Me” and “Happy Heart,” with both tracks produced by Flava. “Move On,” also produced by Lynch, adapts a neo-soul reggae fusion that laments a break-up tale that embraces life’s new possibilities, as does the upbeat reggae track “My Name Is,” which was produced by Stephen Stanley. She also targets those erroneous character assessments and the cutthroat competitiveness that dwells throughout the music industry on the roots rocking “Mockingbird,” produced by Flava, and the hip-hop tinged “Venting,” produced by Lynch.
Etana highlights her soulful side on “I Got You,” produced by Specialist and Alborosie, while “Day By Day,” produced by Joel Chin, offers spiritual renewal. “People Talk,” produced by Rohan Dwyer and Specialist, reflects her determination to succeed against all odds in the music business.
Free Expressions also furthers Etana’s reputation as a skillful songwriter as she penned 12 of the album’s 14 tracks. Her regal countenance, uncompromising messages of self-empowerment and the lyrical depth of her distinctive hit-filled catalogue offers a major challenge to the dominant perception of female artists’ images and identities. With Free and Free Expressions, Etana offers revolutionary changes in popular Jamaican music, one captivating, genre-blurring song at a time.
