John Legend releases 'Muse' album with Pharrell Williams

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 14:51 · Archive

John Legend has released his new album 'Muse', his first full-length project with producer Pharrell Williams, featuring a more conversational vocal approach.

John Legend's new album 'Muse' marks his first full-length collaboration with producer Pharrell Williams, released on Friday. The 16-track project was recorded mostly at Williams' studio inside Louis Vuitton's Paris headquarters and grew out of Legend's appearance on a Clipse track that inspired Williams to build an album around his voice. The two have worked together for more than 20 years.

Williams encouraged Legend to adjust his signature vocal approach on certain songs, adopting a more conversational delivery rather than relying on his powerhouse vocals. This represents a shift for the EGOT winner, whose career has been defined by piano-driven ballads including 'All of Me' and 'Ordinary People'.

Legend told the Associated Press that he aims to continually challenge himself creatively. Beyond the album, he is composing his first original stage score for a new musical called 'Imitation of Life', which opens at The Shed in New York in December.

How it is being reported

• John Legend on Pharrell’s musical push, Jay-Z’s praise and new creative challenges with ‘Muse’Jay-Z once called John Legend “our voice,” but Pharrell Williams had a different idea for Legend's baritone.News4Jax · 22 Oct, 14:05
• John Legend on Pharrell’s musical push, Jay-Z’s praise and new creative challenges with ‘Muse’Jay-Z once called John Legend “our voice,” but Pharrell Williams had a different idea for Legend's baritone.Clickorlando · 22 Oct, 14:05

In this story: John Legend · Pharrell Williams · Jay-Z · Louis Vuitton · Paris · The Shed · New York

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