Genesis Owusu’s Smiling With No Teeth is a work of art. It pulls inspiration from innovators across the musical landscape, from Prince to Talking Heads, Erykah Badu to Andre 3000.

The title of the album comes from a poem that he performed at a TED Talk in Australia, “I cry with no tears, and I smile with no teeth.”

On this album, he showcases all sorts of genre styles. There's hip-hop, punk rock, and there's even a folk song called “A Song About Fishing.” It initially began as a joke between bandmates and it ended up as the last track that made the album.

Throughout, there are themes of depression, songs that capture light and brightness, and dealing with things that you got to let go. “Drown” talks about letting go of the darkness. In a few songs, he uses black dogs to symbolize darker elements in life.

My favorite song off of Smiling With No Teeth has got to be “No Looking Back.” After what we've been through this whole year, the past couple years, or in life, there's no looking back. Some things that happen to us. You may go through a breakup, you may lose a job, but there's no looking back. You have to count your blessings, and continue to move forward in life. You may lose a lot, but there's something greater that's out there. It's an incredible song.

Genesis Owusu will perform at The Current’s 17th Anniversary Parties at First Avenue. He is part of the lineup on January 22 with Low Cut Connie, Jade Bird, and Kiss the Tiger. Tickets and info here.