John Legend wants his new album, Bigger Love, to give us we what we seem to need right now: moments of optimism in a troubled world.
“The album was written before the world locked down because of the coronavirus and before people were marching in the streets in protest here in the US,” he says during a online listening session.
“But hopefully it can speak to people in this moment of turmoil, uncertainty and fear and can lift them, bring them some love and some joy.”
It is a tall order, but the singer pulls it off with a collection of mostly breezy pop tunes radiating with warmth and positivity.
The National was invited to the online event where Legend played and discussed 13 of the new album's 15 tracks. He also shed light on how his two young children and wife, model and television personality Chrissy Teigen, reacted to some of the new music.
1. 'Ooh Laa'
A vibrant opener that sets the hopeful tone of the album, the song is a summer jam fusing soulful piano with hip-hop beats. “The producer Oak Felder pitched this idea of do-wop meets trap,” Legend says. “He played this beat for me and I wrote the vocal part for it and it became one of my favourite songs on the album. It became natural for it open the album.”
2. 'Actions'
Continuing on the hip-hop bent, Legend samples the stringed intro and spidery riff of Dr Dre's The Next Episode and of a few love letters to his wife Teigen.
"The chorus goes 'action speaks louder than love songs', and this one is really about knowing what it feels like not to live up to the words of your love songs and hopefully try to be a better person," Legend says.
3. 'I Do'
Could this be the next TikTok sensation?
Judging by the reaction of Legend's two young children, daughter Luna, 4, and Miles, 3, it very well could be. Legend says the up-tempo track was a hit in the household.
“My kids love it,” he says. “It’s their favourite song and we have dance parties at home where I play songs from the album and this is one of the songs that they dance and sing along to.”
4. 'One Life'
Another tune that is a hit with his children because it maintains that dance vibe. This sun-kissed number is co-written with RnB cult hero Anderson .Paak. One Life is a paean to optimism with Legend urging us to "taste the joy in every minute."
5. 'Wild' featuring Gary Clarke
It may be his name on the album cover, but a hallmark of Legend's success has always been his collaborative streak.
With Wild, he brings together two disparate artists, the gnarly bluesman Gary Clark Jr and the super poppy English production team TMS for a mighty power ballad fit for an arena.
The best part is that searing guitar solo from Clark Jr. “He is amazing off course,” Legend says. “That guitar solo is absolutely epic.”
6. 'Bigger Love'
From Glory to All of Me, Legend's songs have always appealed to our better qualities. The album's title track, which came with a quarantine inspired home and fan video, is all about embracing our capacity to love and heal.
That message is augmented with a vibrant dance production featuring vocal samples and Afro-Caribbean percussion. Co-written with One Republic’s Ryan Tedder, Legend says the song is home to the album’s key theme: “It's about hope. It's about love. It's about resilience as a humanity and being able to rise above the challenges that we face.”
7. 'U Move, I Move' featuring Jhene Aiko
The track is full of lingering vocals and colourful metaphors, but Legend has always kept love ballads classy.
RnB singer Aiko's sensual contribution will hopefully expose her to the wider audience she deserves. “There is a beautiful energy between the two of us,” Legend says of Aiko. “The harmonies and the interplay between our vocals just work.”
8. 'Favourite Place'
A focused number where everyone in the studio is on top of their game. Legend's vocals are elastic as ever as they weave over stuttering high hats and yearning strings.
Legend attributes a lot of the album's sonic vision to executive producer Raphael Saadiq (Whitney Houston, Mary J Blige and Solange Knowles) who is an acclaimed soul musician in his own right.
“He infused a lot of his flavour to the tracks that we do together,” Legend says. “He plays the bass, guitar and arranges the horn. He adds a lot of ‘oomph’ to the record.”
9. 'Slow Cooker'
This track is an album highlight. While Legend and Teigen have been sharing the occasional culinary tips with fans (check out Legend's Hearty Chili recipe online) this slow jam is not an ode to the kitchen appliance he so loves.
It is, instead, a metaphor to describe the ups and downs of a relationship. Legend’s lyrics read like a recipe for love as he describes a relationship “that’s worth waiting for. Just let it stew some more. Bring out each flavour and spice.”
10. 'Conversations in the Dark'
The song that Teigen loves. Heard before on an episode of the drama This is Us, this track continues Slow Cooker's theme of maintaining a seasoned relationship.
The lyrics here are stark, however, with Legend laying down some of the anguish that comes with a love on the rocks. "I will never change you," he states in the chorus. "I will always want the same you."
The music is similar in that it is paired down and punctured with the occasional stabs of strings.
"It's about romance. It's about intimacy between two people that love each other. And, and it's about that promise to not break one another's heart," Legend says. "When Chrissy heard it and saw the lyric video, she said it was her favourite thing I've done since All of Me. That is a good sign."
11. 'Don’t Walk Away' featuring Koffee
Sorry John, but the guest steals the show here. This sprightly pop-dance hall hybrid is carried by the sheer charisma of Jamaican star Koffee.
“This song will make you feel all the summer feels that you want,” Legend says. And it does.
12. 'Remember Us' featuring Rapsody
Marking the album's powerful closing section, the track is steeped with melancholy nostalgia. Remember Us has a driving rhythm that suits Legend and rising hip-hop star Rapsody, as both go down memory lane recalling joys and paying tribute to inspirational figures recently lost.
“When Rapsody takes it home and sings about some of the people that we lost already like (basketball star) Kobe Bryant and (rapper) Nipsey Hussle and making references that mean a lot to folks of a certain age, that makes me emotional,” Legend says. “I shed a tear almost every time I hear this song.”
13. 'Never Break'
After skipping the following two tracks – I'm Ready, featuring singer Camper and Always – Legend takes us to the epic album closer Never Break. The song recalls his Grammy and Oscar award-winning track Glory in its scope and grandeur, as it moves from solitary piano to symphonic crescendo.
“It closes the album on a note of optimism, hope and resilience,” Legend says of its lyrical themes.“It about the idea that love can get us through tough times. And like I said, this album is kind of about that. I felt like this song would be the perfect ending for the album, given the moment we're living through right now and the need for love to help us get through all these tough challenges together.”
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Read more:
'A Change is Gonna Come': 10 songs underscoring the US civil rights movement over the years
Humour in pain: how comedy has allowed African-Americans to have their voices heard
A history of denial: the problem with the term 'urban music'
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Company%20profile
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
THE%20SPECS
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Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
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The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2-litre%204-cylinder%20petrol%20(V%20Class)%3B%20electric%20motor%20with%2060kW%20or%2090kW%20powerpack%20(EQV)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20233hp%20(V%20Class%2C%20best%20option)%3B%20204hp%20(EQV%2C%20best%20option)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20350Nm%20(V%20Class%2C%20best%20option)%3B%20TBA%20(EQV)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMid-2024%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETBA%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
The specs: Audi e-tron
Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)
Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Power: 408hp
Torque: 664Nm
Range: 400 kilometres
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Army of the Dead
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera
Three stars
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
More about Middle East geopolitics
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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