The Wild Card
Ledisi · 2020
57 min · 15 tracks · contemporary R&B
A vibrant blend of contemporary R&B and jazz, showcasing rich vocals over lush, layered instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Anything for You — This opening track sets the tone with its heartfelt lyrics and soulful delivery, showcasing Ledisi’s vocal prowess while exploring themes of love and devotion.
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Same Love — A poignant reflection on love and identity, this track stands out for its lyrical honesty and the way it seamlessly blends R&B with jazz influences.
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In It to Win — This empowering anthem captures resilience and determination, featuring an infectious groove that highlights Ledisi's dynamic vocal range.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends R&B and jazz with rich vocals, showcasing emotional depth and varied instrumentation.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with a strong rhythmic drive, while the second half shifts to more introspective ballads.
- Several tracks incorporate jazz elements, such as syncopated rhythms and complex chord progressions, enhancing the overall sonic texture.
- Interludes are strategically placed between songs to create transitions that maintain the album's flow and emotional arc.
- 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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8/10
- 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
- uplifting anthems for celebration
- intimate moments of reflection
- vibrant energy for gatherings
- cathartic release through vocals
- soulful soundscapes for relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer short standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on August 28, 2020, The Wild Card is Ledisi's sixth studio album, following her critically acclaimed record Let Love Rule from 2017. This album marks a period of artistic evolution for Ledisi as she embraces a more personal narrative in her songwriting and production choices.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jill Scott· Erykah Badu· India.Arie
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Same Love
The bridge introduces an unexpected shift in perspective as it addresses societal norms directly, challenging preconceived notions about love.
This lyrical choice disrupts the song's narrative flow, effectively emphasizing the urgency of acceptance and understanding in relationships.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Anything for You 4:17
- 2 Next Time 5:08
- 3 Same Love 4:34
- 4 Now or Never 5:27
- 5 Stay Gone 3:37
- 6 Where I Am 3:05
- 7 WKND 5:00
- 8 What Kinda Love Is That 4:05
- 9 Sunrise (interlude) 0:39
- 10 In It to Win 4:07
- 11 One 4:06
- 12 Wake Up 5:04
- 13 Stone 4:11
- 14 Without You 3:50
- 15 Sunset (outerlude) 0:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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