"Anthem" from Kenny G's 2021 album New Standards showcases the smooth jazz artist on soprano saxophone in a stately ballad in F minor. Co-written by Kenny G and Sam Hirsh, the piece moves at approximately 65 BPM with a dignified, hymn-like quality suggested by its title. The minor-key tonality gives the composition a more serious, contemplative mood than many of Kenny G's best-known works, reflecting the broader emotional range explored on New Standards. Kenny G's soprano saxophone delivery is characteristically smooth and sustained, with long tones that demonstrate the breath control and embouchure technique that have been hallmarks of his playing throughout his career. The piece avoids the upbeat, rhythmically driven energy of some of Kenny G's biggest hits in favor of a more introspective, quasi-classical atmosphere. Kenny G has sold more than 75 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists in any genre, and his soprano saxophone tone remains one of the most instantly identifiable sounds in popular music. New Standards represents his continued evolution as a composer, with "Anthem" standing as one of the album's more ambitious and emotionally resonant compositions, demonstrating his ability to create evocative instrumental music beyond the smooth jazz formula.
