On his first full-length studio album in over five years, Stevie Wonder found himself in new territory. Wonder’s legendary “classical period” was almost ten years gone and 1980’s Hotter Than July was a distant memory in the minds of many. Therefore, Stevie took it upon himself to reinvent his sound – while managing to change very little.
By 1985, many of the music technologies Stevie Wonder helped nurture had become fully-developed hit-making machines. Yet, most of the album’s tracks sound at home in any decade of Wonder’s immaculate career. On one such track, the chart-topping “Overjoyed”, Stevie crafts an earthly symphony of bliss. However, that was perhaps the lesser of two hits from the album – “Part-Time Lover” netted the singer a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1986. Unfortunately, Stevie would end up having to settle for winning Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Shockingly, In Square Circle is arguably not even one of Stevie’s five best albums. Yet, the record is a gem and should not be overlooked by anyone.