John Legend Releases Pharrell Collaboration Album ‘Muse’

John Legend has released Muse, his 16-track album produced and co-written entirely with longtime friend Pharrell Williams. The collaboration grew from Legend’s appearance on Clipse’s “The Birds Don’t Sing” and was recorded largely at Williams’ Paris studio. Blending soul, gospel, hip-hop and other styles, the album moves beyond the piano ballads most associated with Legend; Williams encouraged him to use a more conversational vocal approach on some tracks. Clipse feature on “Bodies On The Floor,” whose video depicts a turbulent relationship marked by conflict and reconciliation. Legend has described the project’s sound as cinematic, with a “Black James Bond” aesthetic.