ON HOW LIFE IS

By By Chris

“On How Life Is” marked the debut of Macy Gray, whose birth name is Natalie McIntyre. The album was released in the summer of 1999. It made waves in the music industry with the collection of its lyrics and messages because it had the potential to define a whole new genre instead of being forced into one. The album received praise for its unique sound, something that was lacking in the industry, as young age singers were thriving in a world that valued beauty over creativity. Macy stood out from the rest as her voice was unlike any other. Apart from this, she also possessed a hardened view of the life that surrounded her, and it guided her through life. Being released during the summer of 1999, "On How Life Is" gives an example of an album that is creative, multifaceted, irreplaceable, and deserves so much more recognition than it has so far.

Many people have described Edith Piaf’s vocals as so powerful, boundless, and distinctive that they tug at a person’s heartstrings. Macy Gray adds herself to that list, and the first thing to note is that she is not that different from Nina Simone because her taste in music is so diverse. In “I Try,” I can hear the brush of a feather quivering in the ballet “Doll’s Dance.” She meets every expectation as she embodies the struggle to move on from love and separation. Apart from all of that, it serves as raw proof of how emotionally painful love is, especially if someone decides to turn it into a ballad like How could anyone expect When you lean swaying over me, icy quilt, fog enveloping the world.

Apart from “I Try,” the album is full of character. “I’ve Committed Murder” combines marimba and steel drums while telling a story with a dry sense of humor. Also, “Do Something” features Southern hip hop with Outkast and Goodie Mob samples. A highlight is “I Can’t Wait to Meetchu,” which is a gospel funk song and a joyful meditation on the afterlife. Gray smiled while singing God’s praises. Then there is the sultry “Caligula” and “Sex-o-matic Venus Freak," both filled with sly asides and breathy confidence. These songs suggest a returning theme: throughout the entire album, she unapologetically embraces her past, her body, and her desires.

“On How Life Is” is rich and textured, both instrumentally and vocally, featuring seasoned musicians and producers, crafting the album’s distinctive sound. The collection of Jon Brion, Matt Chamberlain, Daryl Swann, and even members from the orbit of Parliament-Funkadelic and the Red Hot Chili Peppers further adds to its sonic cohesion and adventure. Slater’s production allows the focus to rest on Gray's voice while still maintaining the album’s eccentricity. The seamless coexistence of funk, soul, jazz, alt-rock, samba, and R&B makes the album feel timeless, even though it was released towards the end of a carefully curated pop decade.

Even though the album "On How Life Is" struggled initially by selling only 20,000 copies in the first weeks. It succeeded and earned Gray a lot of critical acclaim, commercial success, and even a Grammy Award. This fulfilled award defended the concept of individuality in the American music industry, which is accepted as a place where duplication is prioritized. It is not Macy Gray’s voice alone that makes “On How Life Is” endure. Rather, it is her full-hearted authenticity, characterized by deep, soulful playfulness, that drives and makes the voice special. She gave a very brave sound, story, and performance instead of the polished looks that crouched the industry as they claimed to be real. A sound that is terrified to show unconditionally how life really is.