One look at Macy Gray and you'd think it was the dead of winter, not a typical sticky California day in mid-July. Sitting in an oversized chair, the funk/soul sista is all bundled up in a turtleneck sweater with multicolored stripes and flared blue jeans. Her fabulous afro has been coifed into a softer, sleeker 'do, and her eyes are shielded by big brown sunglasses.

While noticeably restless, Gray's in a chatty, engaging mood. She throws out zany — occasionally X-rated — answers that seem primarily intended to crack herself up.

It's been two years since the Canton, Ohio-born singer released her breakthrough, On How Life Is. The album went triple-platinum and won a Grammy for its single "I Try," ratcheting up the pressure to deliver an equally stellar follow-up.

But rather than fret, Gray simply let loose in the studio and followed her instincts. The Id — a term coined by Sigmund Freud to refer to the most instinctive, impulsive and primal part of the unconscious mind — is a landmine of styles and sounds, merging classic soul, funk, rock, hip-hop and disco.