Liberation: ZZ Ward

ZZ Ward’s latest release, the blues-infused Liberation, draws breath from childhood sound bites that inspired her earliest musical musings. Underpinned by Ward’s singular vocals and solid songwriting skills, the album’s creative arrangements and elements of hip hop give it a fresh, contemporary sound. Two original songs, “Mother” and “Love Alive,” describe her experience with motherhood and how it both empowers and tests the sustainability of relationships. Ward is tearful and confused on the percussive-heavy jump blues tune, “My Baby Left Me.” The title track’s call for independence is a soul ballad evocative of classics by Etta James. Ward wades into the Mississippi Delta on her cover of Son House’s “Grinnin’ in Your Face.” She then makes a clean sweep on Robert Johnson’s eternal walking blues, “Dust My Broom,” and appreciates a good thing when she’s got it on her cover of Alvin Robinson’s “Something You Got.” My Spotify playlists will never be the same.

-Ken Wright

4.5/5