Finally returning from a three-year hiatus that made her fans nervous, Meshell Ndegéocello proves herself once again on Bitter, a dozen songs of musical craft and bubbling lyrical passion. The last track, Grace, is an ear-soothing ballad, while Sincerity picks up the pace only slightly to a bluesy sway, complete with rushes of organ and Stevie Ray Vaughan-style guitar break. The jams are much more casual and improvisational than her two previous albums and the words are gentler, showing this artist has truly taken a next step in her development.
