In this uncertain and mostly uninspired musical climate, it's always a pleasant surprise to find something as fresh, challenging and self-assured as Nelly Furtado's sophmore effort, Folklore. Bursting on the scene in 2000, Furtado brought boundless energy tinged with ethnic charm courtesy of her Puerto Rican by-way-of Canada heritage. Mixing folk, pop, R&B and funk, she was able to deliver an accomplished debut with first CD Whoa Nelly.
Three years and a baby later, she's fortunately come into her own as a musical force to be reckoned with.
Keeping all of the things that worked, but bringing fresh sounds to the table, all while teaming with Whoa Nelly's production team Track and Field, Furtado presents what will likely be her career-defining disc. From the kicky pop of opening number One Trick Pony, to the gorgeous closer Childhood Dreams, rife with the relationship-affirming mantra "You are the realest thing I know, hands down, the realest thing I know," Folklore is all killer and no filler. First single Powerless (Say What You Want) is all poppy hand claps and dancehall beats, The Grass is Green is packed to the brim with lush strings and hip-hop grooves, single Island Of Wonder holds what is probably my favorite lyric of recent years in "The smile is bigger than the Atlantic sea, it happens to bring out the Atlantis in me," all while backed by the gorgeous vocals of Caetano Veloso. Furtado sounds like she is really enjoying herself with this record, and it shows in her strong, assured vocals.
While on Whoa Nelly she could be accused of being vocally grating in some instances, there is none of that on Folklore. Her voice rises and falls, soars and sweeps, whispers and purrs as needed. Nelly Furtado has a great deal to be proud of in this album, a sure-to-be classic delivered in a career's early years.
