Best R&B Albums of 2012: ‘The MF Life,’ Melanie Fiona

On Melanie Fiona's second album, 'The MF Life,' the Grammy-winning songbird revisits the throwback sound found on her 2009 debut CD, 'The Bridge.' The effort is an endearing blend of vintage soul torch songs and forlorn love ballads. Examples of that can be heard on 'Wrong Side of a Love Song' and 'Running.'

Despite going through so much heartache, Fiona is defiant as she declares on 'This Time' that she's doing much better and she's not going to let a man bring her down. 'The MF Life' is this year's girl power album and Fiona is leading the charge for self-awareness and self-empowerment for the ladies.