John Legend's New Album Represents 'Desire To Find Light, Optimism, Love & Joy' In The Midst Of Darkness

John Legend has revealed the message behind his fifth studio studio album Darkness and Light, which is due out on December 2!

“While ‘Darkness and Light’ is the name of one of the songs, those words kept coming back to me,” the 37-year-old singer reveals in his Jocks & Nerds cover issue, which hits shelves on Thursday (December 1). “There’s a lot of darkness in the world, pain and conflict. But the album also represents the desire to find light, optimism, love and joy in the midst of all that.”

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of John Legend

On acting and his production company, Get Lifted Film Company: “I approached acting in the film business more as a musician than as a producer. I’d gotten involved with a lot of films as songwriter but when I started my company it was a process that involved finding the right directors, finding the right cast, telling the right stories. And I think a lot of that comes from my own political sensibilities. A lot of the work we’ve been doing reflects a lot of the issues I care about politically. But also there’s simply my love of great storytelling and my love of great music in relation to telling those stories.”

On his film Southside With You and President Obama: “I think now was a great time [for 'Southside With You'] because a lot of people are feeling pretty nostalgic about the first couple and how historically significant they are given that he was the first black President, she was the first black First Lady, but also how graceful and elegant and strong they have been as leaders of the country over the last eight years. And I think people are rightfully intrigued by their relationship and how they met. We thought it was a great story to tell. Films will be made about his career as a politician but I think it takes a little more time to have perspective on that kind of story.”

Also pictured: John spotted doing some shopping during Black Friday weekend on Rodeo Drive on Sunday (November 27) in Beverly Hills, Calif.

For more from John, visit JocksandNerds.com!