Photo: Norman Jean Roy
Ever since her stunning turn as Elphaba Thropp in the film adaptation of Wicked, Cynthia Erivo’s stock has defied gravity. That performance was full of so much drama and theatricality, with powerhouse vocals that made every emotion hit like a truck, making anticipation for her new album ‘I Forgive You’ far greater than for her accomplished 2021 debut ‘Ch. 1 Vs. 1’.
Musical fans expecting Wicked Witch-worthy grandstanding should look elsewhere, though. Instead, the strength and drama of ‘I Forgive You’ is rooted in subtlety and restraint. “I’m guilty but I’m not ashamed / neither of us will take the blame,” Erivo sings on Best For Me, signalling her intent to deliver something more intimate. 
The record manages to cohesively meld gospel, folk, pop and R&B and the result is something as timeless as it is smooth, while the control Erivo has over her hushed admissions and full-chested revelations leads to a thrilling, complementary sense of texture.
You First’s use of strings is eloquent and lavish, making it feel like a classic out of time, and there’s an irresistible ‘90s R&B edge to the sensuality of What You Want. I Chose Love, by way of contrast, is a dreamy, delicate folk ballad that is an utter joy.
There are of course vocal runs and high notes littered throughout the record, but they’re used sparingly enough that it doesn’t become tired or gimmicky — they function more as exclamation points, rather than pulling focus. Holy Refrain is the one point where Erivo really takes the safety gear off and gives a full-bodied performance that is spellbinding.
At a shade over an hour, ‘I Forgive You’ runs a little long, although finding candidates for songs to be cut is a tough task. Instead, it stands as a show of Erivo’s prowess. Understandably, a lot of the conversation around her will continue to centre on the blockbuster success of Wicked, but it’s hard to ignore an album like this, or leave her out of the conversation of modern music’s best vocalists.
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