World Outside My Window, which debuted at No. 4 on Billboard's Top 200, was an eclectic, ambitious debut. And now, Lewis returns with his sophomore release, Back for More, an exceptional collection from one of soul music's most promising rising stars. "All that's changed since my debut is that I've become more comfortable in my role as an entertainer," says Glenn. "I'm more at ease with where I am in my life. It's my time and I'm embracing it. I am so blessed that I can create music for a living. All I have to do is bring 100% of me to every track."
In the spring of 2002, a fresh breeze wafted over the airwaves when Glenn Lewis released World Outside My Window. With his pristine vocals, emotional lyrics, and top-notch production, Lewis was critically and commercially acclaimed. The first single, the Top 10 hit "Don't You Forget It," introduced Lewis' dramatic and intense style, a fitting tribute to his forbears, including Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.
Re-teaming with Andre Harris and Vidal Davis, the nimble songwriter-producers who form the core of Lewis' musical backing, Lewis' newest release does something most follow-up albums cannot?it exceeds the expectations set by the debut record. The first single, "Back For More," neatly folds several genres into one hypnotic hit. Opening with subtle steel pan rhythms, (a nod to Lewis' Trinidadian roots), and a undeniably magnetic bassline, "Back For More," is clearly a hit record before Lewis even lets out his first, flawless note. "Back For More" relates the tale of a weekend love affair, a fun-in-the-sun with Ms. Right Now.
"The only thing I made a conscious effort to do was make people have fun," says Lewis. "I want to take them to the club. I'm trying to take everyone on a journey with me." "Back For More" effortlessly transforms the dance floor, (or bedroom), into a respite complete with ocean waves, intense heat and fruity umbrella drinks. When he lays out his first line, supported by his languorous, melodic delivery, Lewis instantly transports his listener to a well-appointed island resort. "I just want my listener to have some fun," explains Lewis. "The vibe you feel on "Back For More" is exactly what I'm going for. While you're listening, I want you to be with me?I want you to feel exactly how I do in the same scenario."
On his debut, Lewis set himself apart from his contemporaries with his unfailing ability to reach down and bring out painful situations, pouring them straight from his heart to his music. Back For More continues his therapeutic purging with power ballads like "Too Far," a passionate soliloquy on a powerful love affair that may be ending prematurely.
"We all go through heartache and melodrama," explains Lewis. "Too Far" is a song we can all relate to. I put my own spin on it based on my experiences. But really, the theme here is universal." And in addition to bringing his real life into his music, Lewis ratchets up the fervor with an electrifying performance that leaves no emotion unexplored.
Glenn's persona leaned toward the ultra-romantic on his last release, and indeed, songs like "Too Far" support this facet of his personality. "But that's not all I am," he warns. "There is more to me than what one song may represent." Lewis presents a brand-new side with the slyly sexual, "Fly Away." At first listen, one assumes the song is a plaintive missive about missing a woman. Instead, double entendres abound here?flying becomes a delicate symbol for letting go in every sense of the word. And when Lewis sings about all the places he wants to travel to, he isn't necessarily talking about leaving town. "I like subtlety," Lewis says. "A song like "Fly Away," allows me to get my point across without being crude or vulgar."
The fluttery, understated instrumentation on "Fly Away," is a perfect fit for the subject matter and Lewis' faultless falsetto. That intoxicating marriage between production, tonality and content continues on "This Time," a buoyant and hopeful message of reconciliation that is at once joyous and reflective. One of the album's highlights is, "Selfishly." Lewis' voice is doubled, lending a textured richness to an introspective song that touches on the trauma of unresolved issues in a relationship.
This time out, Lewis expanded his co-writers, including Pooh Bear, known for his work with 112, and Ryan Toby (from City High). "I worked on the last album pretty much by myself so it was humbling to work with outside writers because I can be a bit of a control freak," says Lewis. "But I needed to be challenged. I got great feedback from the first album, so this time instead of just riding the wave, I wanted to challenge myself."
Without question, Lewis' goals have been reached. He's taken the momentum from World Outside My Window, and is fully prepared to rocket to the next level. Unlike many artists on the eve of a new release, Lewis doesn't even have a hint of jitters about the way his music will be received. "At the end of the day, I know I did my best work. I wanted everything to sound like a single. I wanted to produce a coherent album that has continuity and structure. And I've done that. When you press play, there is no need to press fast-forward." For Lewis' fans, old and new, there may be no fast-forwarding. But there will be plenty of rewinding.
