Download John Legend & The Roots 'Shine'

 

FULL, CDQ, Track off upcoming album, Wake Up! *TIBS FAV.™

 

John Legend first performed the new track above "Shine" in a live, solo performance back in May and while at the time I was impressed with "Shine", I felt it was outshined by "Dream" (see what I did there?). In a few bits of good news, "Shine" can be downloaded above and will be appearing on the upcoming album, Wake Up!, JL tweeted that "Dream" will be appearing on Legend's solo album dropping in 2011, and bringing it back to the track above... "Shine" is a damn good song. It eclipsed my expectations as the most notable element of "Shine" is clearly John Legend's powerful vocals. I love when Legend belts out the lyrics and he makes a simple chorus an amazing one with his delivery of the title, "Shine". In addition, the song's positive message about helping today's minds shine is of course an inspiring one. And finally, the track's concluding apex is amazing with a few more soulful vocals from Legend and the subtle horns and instrumentation of The Roots creating a big ending, followed by Legend's brief and more subdued outro. As one can tell, there's a lot to love about "Shine" - an instant favorite to add to a library already full of them from John Legend.

 

Just for fun, vote in our poll below about which Wake Up! track is your favorite, thus far. Is it the lone original above, "Shine", "Wake Up Everybody" f/ Melanie Fiona & Common, or "Our Generation"? NOTE: Revised the poll with the addition of "Hard Times" f/ Black Thought released shortly afterward. Wake Up! hits stores on September 21st.

 

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