If there is one constant in Mary J Blige’s music throughout her career, it’s pain. Whether produced by Puff Daddy, Dr. Dre, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, or Tricky Stewart, M.J.B’s LPs always lead with the heart, which has made her a fixture in music for more than 22 years.

From The London Sessions album (November 24), Mary releases “Whole Damn Year.” The song is a post-breakup reflection that uses the seasons to show the changing moods in repairing one’s feelings. With so much emphasis on Mary’s 13th album being about traveling abroad for “a new sound,” how do you feel about the outcome of this close-to center cut?

Singing “it’s been a bad five years,” does Yonker’s own have a song that’s on the pulse of some holiday loneliness?

Related: Mary J Blige Is Trapped In Love, But She’s Packing Up & Moving Out (Video)