REGGAE singer/songwriter Etana is expected to drop her highly anticipated sophomore album, Free Expressions in February 2011 from VP Records.

Before her new studio effort hits the shelves, VP Records is releasing a digital EP entitled Free, which features three tracks that are also included on the album. The digital EP drops on December 7 in what VP says is a bid to satisfy fans during the wait for the full-length album.

Etana deemed this second album Free Expressions because she adamantly refuses to be constrained by approach or lyrical content. “This album was produced a little differently from the first, most of the sessions were less planned so there is more of a free vibe,” she reveals. “I just wanted to express myself freely, write just what I want without thinking too hard about what anyone’s opinion would be — just doing music as I feel to do it.”

Several tracks from Free Expressions — Free, August Town and Mockingbird — have already topped the charts in Jamaica and reggae charts internationally. The album’s first official single Free was produced by Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor and offers a sombre reflection of a prolonged period of struggle endured by the artiste. Its second single Heart Broken is equally as heartfelt with London-based producers Curtis Lynch Jr and Gussie Clarke at the helm.

VP notes that Etana’s unabashed romanticism shines on the lovers’ rock tunes I Know You Love Me and Happy Heart, with both tracks produced by Flava. Move On, another track produced by Lynch, adapts a neo-soul reggae fusion that laments a break-up tale that embraces life’s new possibilities, as does the upbeat reggae track My Name Is, which was produced by Stephen Stanley. She also targets those erroneous character assessments and the cut-throat competitiveness that dwells throughout the music industry on the roots rocking Mockingbird, produced by Flava, and the hip-hop tinged Venting, produced by Lynch.

Etana is said to highlight her soulful side on I Got You, produced by Specialist and Alborosie, while Day By Day, produced by Joel Chin, offers spiritual renewal. People Talk, produced by Rohan Dwyer and Specialist, reflects her determination to succeed against all odds in the music business.

Free Expressions also showcases Etana’s talent as a songwriter as she penned 12 of the album’s 14 tracks.