Album: New Amerykah, Part Two (Return of the Ankh)

Introduction
"New Amerykah, Part Two (Return of the Ankh)" is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter and manufacturer Erykah Badu, launched on March 30, 2010, by Universal Motown. The album functions as a sequel to her previous release, "New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)", and showcases a more individual, reflective, and emotional side of Badu's artistry compared to its politically charged predecessor. Featuring a more laid-back, natural sound, "New Amerykah Part Two" has been commonly applauded for its ingenious and unique approach to neo-soul, jazz, and funk.

Production and Collaborations
Badu worked together with a varied group of musicians and producers for this album, including 9th Wonder, J Dilla, Shafiq Husayn of Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Georgia Anne Muldrow, James Poyser, Thundercat, and more. Notably, "New Amerykah Part Two" saw the return of long time collaborators Questlove (drummer from The Roots) and James Poyser (keyboardist from The Roots), who both had substantial presence on previous projects such as "Baduizm" and "Mama's Gun".

The album's production represents a departure from the greatly electronic, speculative noises of the previous installation in favor of a warmer, more organic instrumentation reminiscent of classic soul and jazz records. Live instruments and vintage production strategies are prominently featured throughout the album, providing it a distinctly sentimental and timeless feel.

Themes and Lyricism
"New Amerykah, Part Two (Return of the Ankh)" digs deep into themes of love, relationships, self-growth, and spirituality. Whereas "New Amerykah Part One" focused mainly on social and political issues, Part Two places a greater focus on personal self-questioning and self-reflection. The album title itself, "Return of the Ankh", describes the ancient Egyptian sign for life and the creative power of females, representing Badu's reclamation of her own creative identity.

The album's lyrical material is raw, truthful, and typically poetic, exposing intimate details of Badu's individual life and relationships. Songs like "Window Seat" and "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long" check out the complexities of love and the desire for emotional connection, while tracks such as "Umm Hmm" and "Fall In Love (Your Funeral)" face the challenges of keeping one's uniqueness within romantic relationships.

Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, "New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)" got widespread important acclaim, with numerous applauding Badu's go back to a more emotional, natural noise and her honest, introspective lyricism. The album debuted at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, offering 110,000 copies in its first week.

The album's lead single, "Window Seat", created significant buzz and controversy due to its provocative video, in which Badu appears nude while walking through downtown Dallas-- a commentary on the vulnerability of being in the general public eye.

"New Amerykah, Part Two (Return of the Ankh)" has actually been applauded for its development, experimentation, and reinvigoration of the neo-soul category. A years after its release, the album continues to be commemorated as a critical work in Badu's discography, showcasing her growth as an artist and the enduring power of her musical vision.