Ep. 5 | “Embrya” by Maxwell (1998)

Sacral and sensual in its message, “Embrya” by falsetto crooner Maxwell was released in June 1998. A midsummer aquatic dreamscape, the album spotlights a journey of rebirth for the singer and listener alike.  Maxwell dives into topics of love, sex, and spirituality through poetic verses reflective of one another over lush layers of strings, electronic beats, and an ensemble of instrumentalists. Unearthing an underwater utopia of love and devotion, the record takes on an afrofuturist lens where water is a realm of possibility. An ode of gratitude to the women who raised him, the birthing process, and femininity as a necessary aspect of creativity, the album is a true labor of love. Singles of the album are “Luxury: Cococure” and “Matrimony: Maybe You.” Personal favorites are “I’m You: You Are Me and We Are You (Pt. Me and You),” “Submerge: Til We Become the Sun,” “Gravity: Pushing to Pull.” 

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Side note….lots of critics hated this one??? Still went platinum though! Hear why on the ep. 

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Podcast episode is now available at Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. All links are in the bio.

Article mentioned: “Embracing Embrya: Maxwell Revives Underrated Sophomore Album (Nadege Nau, 01/12/2019)” https://medium.com/@eNvision/embracing-embrya-maxwell-revives-underrated-sophomore-album-9338c0c6bc90

Book mentioned: “Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals” by Alexis Pauline Gumbs (2020)