Mary J. Blige has recently had some of the biggest moments of her career. She released her critically acclaimed studio album, Strength of A Woman. The album served as a diary of sorts, detailing her raw feelings regarding her divorce from Kendu Isaacs. Then, she co headlined the King and Queen of Hearts Tour with Maxwell. Afterwards, she toured on her own, earned her first two Oscar nominations for Mudbound and performed at this year’s Essence Music Festival. Plus, she just launched a new jewelry line called Sister Love with LL Cool J’s wife, Simone Smith. Oh and she just officially finalized her divorce. So, it’s only fitting that Mary J. Blige would also be working on new music.

She takes the high road on her new single, “Only Love”. The track is a bit of a detour from the emotional anguish of recent hits like “Thick Of It” and “Set Me Free”. Instead, she takes a celebratory approach and offers up a R&B infused disco-pop track that’s reminiscent of 2007’s “Just Fine”. The lyrics on “Only Love” showcase a woman who has been burned by love, but still believes in its power. This is not sad, My Life Mary J. Blige. She’s living life to the fullest here and in full celebratory mode. If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s her.

Although the song doesn’t move me like the majority of the tracks from her latest album, it’s a decent listen. “Only Love” fits comfortably next to uptempo soul classics of the 70s. Even in her brightest moments, her pain is omnipresent. She doesn’t just sing the music. She lives it. Perhaps this is the greatest reason why her career continues to reach new heights over 25 years later.

So, what are your thoughts on her new single, “Only Love”? Plus, reminisce on some classic Mary J. Blige hits and album cuts.