‘innervisions’ is stevie wonder seeing more clearly than most ever will

44minutes of absolute pocket paradise

i grew up hearing stevie wonder’s music at home and in the car. but innervisions was the first album i actually studied in my early higschool years. and once i did, i realised how much i had missed. this is definitely one for the passionate music nerds.

this record has so so so so so much to say. stevie was only 23 when this came out, and yet it sounds like someone who’s seen way more than that. it covers politics, addiction, religion, systemic racism. he finds a way to be direct, poignant and eloquent all while staying in the pocket.

musically, it’s wild how much of this he played himself. keys, drums, synths AND most of it is just him in a room (something i’ve taken great inspiration from).
the arrangements are tight, the melodies are memorable and the synth work still sounds innovative, even now.

but what pulls me in most was his lyrically clarity. every song feels like he knew exactly what he wanted to say.

my top 3
too high
this one sets the tone. it’s funky, almost playful, but the lyrics are cutting. about addiction and escape.

visions
probably the quietest track on the album, and one of my favourites. it’s stripped-back and reflective. stevie writes this in such a simple andhuman way.

living for the city
this IS the center-piece of the album. the storytelling, the arrangement, the spoken word section is both ambitious and grounded. you can feel the frustration in it.

innervisions is a personal snapshot of what was happening in the world, filtered through someone with real vision (had to do it).

let me know your thoughts.
reb x