John Legend

John Legend has not yet lived up to his name as a “legend” in the R&B world, but he is certainly a favorite of some industry greats. His rise to stardom can be largely credited to collaborations with the best and brightest of the urban music scene, from his beginnings playing piano on Lauryn Hill’s “Everything is Everything,” to his signing with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label in 2003, to the multiple collabos that followed with that Chi-town superstar. His work with artists like Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, and Will.I.Am shape a hip-hop resume that few others can touch, but his solo efforts have been decidedly less exciting than the tracks on which he plays the supporting role.

Legend tends to come across as a baby-faced, heart-on-sleeve singer-songwriter in his own releases; he’s popular for the pared-down, piano-and-vocals sound typified by his first hit single, “Ordinary People.” This is not to say that his honest style hasn’t worked for him—he has collected five Grammys so far—but his successful sound lacks the dazzle and sex appeal of his collaborators. Perhaps Legend realized this: with his aptly titled third studio album “Evolver,” he announces in his sultry voice that he has stepped up his game.

“Evolver” moves with a smooth, soulful momentum, powered by sweet lyrics, satisfying bass lines, and tightly constructed songs. After a sexy, morning-after intro that perfectly blends atmospheric piano with a heartbeat bass drum and muted horns, the album explodes with first single “Green Light,” a catchy, danceable track featuring respected hip-hopper André 3000. Legend shows a provocative side to his sweetheart persona, singing “Give me the green light / Give me just one night / I’m ready to go right now” in a track that sets his buttery vocals against a layered, electrified beat that would do well on any party playlist.

The upbeat groove rolls on with the equally solid “It’s Over,” featuring a funky keyboard that harkens back to old school jams while electronic accents and an amusing rap by longtime supporter Kanye West keep things modern.

With the energy of these two tracks propelling it forward, the album moves from one enjoyable tune to the next and stays fresh with the injection of reggae flavor on “No Other Love” (featuring British diva Estelle of “American Boy” fame) and infectious bonus “Can’t Be My Lover.”

Things slow down toward the second half with the excusable ballad “This Time”—a return to the piano-driven, earnest love song Legend has mastered, except this time backed by even sappier strings—and the sweeter, stronger tunes “Take Me Away” and “I Love, You Love.” The album reaches a romantic high point with the seductive slow jam “Good Morning.”

Legend’s largely cohesive offering is jarred by one glaring exception: “If You’re Out There” is a sentimental attempt at a political call to action, with overly theatrical, Disney-esque drumming and gospel backup vocals that produce something far too reminiscent of the soundtrack to “The Lion King.” The lyrics are unoriginal (“If you’re out there / Sing along with me / If you’re out there / I’m dying to believe that you’re out there...”), and the placement is illogical among Legend’s smooth, romantic songs.

Despite that irregularity, “Evolver” works extremely well on the whole by preserving Legend’s characteristically earnest vocals while presenting creative output that is altogether energetic and exciting. André 3000 raps in “Green Light”: “You got you one Legend / Sometimes you gotta step from behind that piano / Let ‘em know what’s goin’ on.” “Evolver” sees Legend following that advice, confidently stepping away from his usual act to put on a truly enjoyable performance.