Sketchbook
Fantasia Barrino · 2019
43 min · 12 tracks · soul
A vibrant blend of contemporary soul infused with raw emotion and powerful storytelling that showcases Fantasia's vocal prowess.
Top tracks — play these first
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PTSD — This track directly addresses mental health struggles, weaving together personal narratives with broader societal issues, making it both intimate and impactful.
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Believer — Believer encapsulates a journey of overcoming adversity through empowering lyrics and an uplifting melody, representing the album's overall theme of resilience.
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Holy Ghost — With its gospel undertones, Holy Ghost highlights Fantasia's musical roots while expressing a profound sense of faith and spiritual connection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong vocal performances and varied tempos, but its overall impact is moderate within the genre.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks build momentum with upbeat tempos, while the fourth track shifts to a slower ballad, creating a dynamic contrast.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that showcase Fantasia's range, particularly in 'Holy Ghost' and 'Fighting'.
- The album includes interludes that provide thematic transitions between songs, enhancing the storytelling aspect.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- emotional storytelling with urgency
- uplifting anthems for self-empowerment
- vibrant energy for motivation
- reflective moments of personal growth
- dynamic pacing with impactful peaks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, soundscapes
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2019, Sketchbook is Fantasia Barrino's fifth studio album and marks her first project since a three-year hiatus following the critically acclaimed Definition Of... (2016). At this point in her career, she was embracing a more personal sound, reflecting her growth as an artist and a person after years in the industry.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jennifer Hudson· Lalah Hathaway· Alicia Keys
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 History 3:32
- 2 PTSD 3:58
- 3 Believer 4:00
- 4 Enough 4:32
- 5 The Way! 2:05
- 6 Bad Girl 3:37
- 7 Free 3:29
- 8 Holy Ghost 3:11
- 9 Take Off 3:40
- 10 Fighting 3:45
- 11 Warning 3:45
- 12 Looking for You 4:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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