Michelle Williams, 'We Break the Dawn' (Sessions)

AOL: Your new album has a much different vibe than your solo debut. What made you go in this direction?

MICHELLE: This album is titled 'Unexpected' because I would say my life for the past nine years has been a wonderful journey -- an unexpected journey -- so I wanted people to take that journey with me through my music. I also wanted to do something different. I know my mother can tell you that when I was growing up, well into my teens, that you never knew what I was going to do -- whether it was good or bad. I think I've carried that with me through my adulthood. And I kind of like it that way because when I do that, I discover new things about myself, and I begin to take the limits off myself when I just go for it.