Retrospective Review: The Sound by Mary Mary
A mini-retrospective on Mary Mary’s most cohesive body of work.
Mary Mary has carved out a distinctive niche, largely owing to their catchy, radio-friendly compositions in gospel music during their run. Their fifth album, The Sound, is no exception, featuring tracks that not only resonate with gospel enthusiasts but also flirt with mainstream appeal. The album kicks off with a series of high-octane songs, such as the invigorating “Get Up,” which had the potential to garner as much mainstream attention as their early 2000s hit “Shackles (Praise You).”
This initial segment of the album also showcases other standout tracks. For instance, “Superfriend” features a compelling collaboration with David Banner, while “God in Me” offers a robust sonic experience in mainstream trap accessibility. The title track, a nod to the ‘60s, adds a layer of nostalgic vitality to the collection. These songs collectively provide a level of dynamic intensity that is often elusive in many of today’s R&B albums aiming for commercial success.
While the latter part of the album may not be as immediately striking, it would be inaccurate to suggest that Mary Mary or their long-time collaborator, producer/songwriter Warryn Campbell, are merely phoning it in. Campbell, who also happens to be Erica’s spouse, continues to contribute his seasoned expertise to the project, ensuring that the album as a whole remains engaging.