American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia is back with a brand new album on July 27th. Released via J Records, Back To Me saw the talented R&B singer collaborate with writers/producers Ne-Yo, Jim Jonsin, Claude Kelly, Rico Love and more…not to mention a special guest vocal by Cee-Lo Green. Available for digital pre-order on June 22nd, Back To Me is Fantastia’s third album and is lead by the single “Bittersweet,” which is currently climbing various Billboard R&B charts (sitting pretty at #9 on the Hot Adult R&B Airplay Chart) (listen to the single below). Unlike a lot of R&B albums out there today, Fantasia’s isn’t filled with guest appearances from every R&B artist and rapper under the sun, relying mostly on her own vocals and strong songwriting and production. The sole guest vocalist is the very talented Cee-Lo Green (Gnarls Barkley) which I can only imagine is going to be amazing. Also appearing on the album is “I’m Here,” which Fantasia sang on Broadway in The Color Purple.
According to a press release, comedian and actor Steve Harvey helped come up with the album title, Back To Me, after interviewing the singer on his radio show.
“I’ve willingly let the world into my life through my book, the Lifetime television movie and now the VH1 reality show. Now, it’s time to go back to how things used to be when America first laid their eyes on me on American Idol. I want to focus everyone’s attention back to me and back to music that everyone can relate to and enjoy.”
Fantasia’s debut album Free Yourself went platinum and featured two chart-topping hit singles, “I Believe” and “Truth Is” (the latter of which spent 14 weeks at the top of the charts). While her second album, the self-titled Fantasia was not as successful as her debut, it did produce one #1 R&B single, “When I See You” and eventually went gold. While not everything she’s put out is up my alley, I’m definitely looking forward to hearing a proper return to form for this talented artist. Fantasia has no doubt done a lot of growing since she first emerged on to the scene as a mainstream artist and I honestly don’t think she’s reached her true hit potential.