Tinashe - Aquarius ALBUM REVIEW

Every once and a while it seems, we end up seeing that one new girl  come singing and dancing her way into the R&B seen. Out of nowhere at that. Some have managed to stay around for a few years. Others may have dropped one hit and haven't been heard from since. Let's hope it's option A for this young lady. Meet Tinashe. You're average 21 year old girl next door. Although we're all just being introduced to her, she actually been in the music game much longer than we think. She's dropped three mixtapes dating back to 2012. She also has done some acting starring in two movies and a TV sitcom. Well now the time has come for her official debut album. Aquarius. Of course, by her being a new artist, I haven't heard anything from her outside of her two radio songs. So like many debut albums, I went into listening to this not knowing what to really expect. I thought for the most part this was a solid debut album. She pretty much did what you supposed to do on a debut project. Give people a look into your life, tell them about yourself, who you are etc. It sticks to the script. What stood out the most was the outstanding production on 90% of this album. Well now here's the song break down (I'll be skipping the interludes and outro):

1. Aquarius

She begins the album with the perfect introductory song not only for this album but for her and who she is. It's a very soft a slow track with even more softer vocals from her. It gives of somewhat of a spacy and zoney feel like your in a dream state (majority of the songs on here do as well). She sounds a bit like a young Janet Jackson here. It's a perfect way to take you "into her world" as she says at the end. Nice intro.

2. Bet (featuring Devonte' Hynes)

I kinda like the vibe of this song. It's more of a darker soft love song that feels like your in dream land again. Sounds very experimental too with the mixture of sounds. I swear so many songs on here remind me of other singers. This reminded me a bit of late 90's Aaliyah, who I can tell from her style she's heavily influenced by. The guitar solo at the end by Devonte' Hynes was dope as well. Dope song overall.

3. Cold Sweat

So here we get a break from the soft dreamy stuff and go to something more uptempo. I like how it starts kinda slow then it picks up pace. A really cool beat done well by Boi-1da. Listening to the lyrics (which is very hard to make out due to her incredibly soft voice like she's whispering), it sounds like she's speaking on fake friends. How they wanna be around now all of the sudden now that she's getting a bit of fame. That and just the overall goods and bad that come with fame. Something plenty of artists can relate to I'm sure.

4. Nightfall (interlude)

5. 2 On (featuring Schoolboy Q)

I honestly liked this song from the first time I heard it on the radio. It's your typical R&B/hip hop/pop dance fusion done pretty well by the man of the year DJ Mustard. Almost sounds like something up Ciara's alley. But like every radio single, I grew tired of it after numerous radio plays. Still something to have fun and dance to when your out at your favorite spot.

6. How Many Times (featuring Future)

It seems like the production gets better and better as this album goes on. Much props to Jasper Cameron for putting together this dope uptempo R&B/hip hop fused beat. Sounds like here she's talking about getting it on multiple times in one night. Nice. This song was going good until the expected happened...Future. By far his worst guest verse of the year and he had plenty of them. I can even begin to describe the horrible half assed stutter rap he did on here. The the fact that he's talking sex too makes it so much more cringe worthy (I almost screamed at that "turn up in your mouth" line). I don't know what Tinashe was thinking allowing him to do this. Thank God this beat was as good as it was otherwise Future would have single handedly ruined this song.

7. What Is There To Lose (interlude)

8. Pretend (featuring A$AP Rocky)

This is the second single and a pretty damn good choice. It took a minute but I grew to like this. Once again, another awesome beat this time produced by Detail. I like the head nodding drum patterns. Dope. I even liked A$AP Rocky on here. His verse surprisingly wasn't bad at all. A huge sigh of relief following Future's horrific verse on the previous song. Great song and I believe a better single than "2 On".

9. All Hands On Deck

...and again, we have more dope production here. Stargate does this one and I love the calm and gentle sound of it. Yet it still a song to "turn up" to. It actually reminds me of Cassie's 2006 hit "Me & You" (except on the hook when it gets more faster). One thing I've notice is how extremely comfortable she is talking about men and sex and all of that. She's goes about it a bit differently than most girl singers. With much more attitude and confidence. It shows on this song and many others on this album. Anyway, this is a dope song. Love it.

10. Indigo Child (interlude)

11. Far Side Of The Moon

Now here she starts to get a little bit more serious with the relationship talk. She sings about being in this up and down relationship and has no idea where it's headed. Unsure if she should leave or work it out. Sounds like "it's complicated". Now this beat I thought was just an okay one. Wasn't bad but just wasn't as good as the others. Okay song overall.

12. The Calm (interlude)

13. Feels Like Vegas

Remember that confidence I spoke of? It shows more than ever here. She brings out more of her raunchy side as she sings about putting on a show in the bedroom for her man. It could be dancing for him, massaging him or just straight up sex. Just anything to make him feel good. She seems so kinky and feisty. Most girls at her age are nowadays. Roscoe Dash gives and assistance on the hook even though he's not credited on the album. This one may have to grow on me over time. 

14. Thug Cry

Once again, I'm deceived by an album title. I thought this song would be something totally different. But nope. Apparently the dude she's involved with is a thug or thinks he's gangsta and she promises to make him cry...in the bedroom. At this point no she's just going extra hard about how she puts down in the bedroom. Although this could probably means making him cry just by loving and caring. Making him go from gangsta to soft. Depends on how you listen to it. Song was average at best to me.

15. Deep In The Night (interlude)

16. Bated Breath

Here is the albums slow ballad. Nothing special here. She again is confused about the relationship she in but sounds very emotional about it. More than she does on the other song. I didn't quite understand the song switch up in the middle to nothing but an instrumental. But it's a okay song. Something good to listen to at night before bedtime. 

17. Wildfire

This album ends with her coming to the decision to move on from this guy. Calling him "poison running through her veins" and she's infected. Or broken hearted to be exact, and it will be a long time before she heals. The song has a very triumphant feel especially on the hook. Like one of those songs that play during the ending of a dramatic movie. Perfect way to end the album.

18. The Storm (outro)

Overall, as I mentioned, this as certainly a solid debut from Tinashe. Not great but definitely acceptable. She did everything that she was supposed to do and more. Production was definitely the stand out as it may have been the best production of any R&B album I've heard this year. I give it a final grade of a B. It's quite clear from listening to this that Tinashe lives up to her Aquarius zodiac sign. She's bold, she's very confident, smart and as you see, tons of sex appeal. She certainly has the traits to make it far in this business. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on her and looking forward to watching her evolve as an artist as well as her future projects. But right now, she's young and "turnt up". I'll just let her have fun for now. End.

Final Grade: B-

CREDITS

Executive Producers

Tinashe Kachingwe

Mike Nazarro

Lead Artist

Tinashe Kachingwe

Production

Brent Reynolds

Dacoury Natche

Devonte' Hynes

Matthew Samuels

Dijon McFarlane

Jon Redwine

Brendon Waters

Jasper Cameron

Noel Fischer

Mikkel Eriksen

Tor Erik Hermansen

Magnus Hoiberg

Osinachi Nwaneri

Michael Williams

Michel Heyaca

Nicholas Balding

Mark Kragen

Collaboration

Devonte' Hynes

Quincy Hanley

Nayvadius Wilburn

Rakim Myers

Label

RCA Records

Mic's Mixtape Of The Week

Dej Loaf

Sell Sole

Available now on Datpiff

Mic's Web Chick Of The Week

Shakeira

Knoxville, TN

Instagram: @wowshani  

Copyright 2014. Mic Navarro's Corner.

micnavarro.blogspot.com
@mic_navarro on Instagram

The Game - Blood Moon: Year Of The Wolf ALBUM REVIEW

If you look around hip hop today, the talent out of the west coast is at a large number. Probably the largest it's been since the 90's. You just gotta wonder, what if The Game didn't have the debut year he had in 2005? What if he didn't never drop that now classic debut album The Documentary? What if Dr. Dre or 50 Cent never found him? The west coast might still be silent to this day. That's why regardless how you feel about The Game, you have to give him credit for making the west coast relevant again in hip hop. Now up to this point, The Game is one of very few rappers who has yet to put out a bad album. I've liked all his albums for the most part. So I hoped he would continue with that here. This is his sixth album Blood Moon: Year Of The Wolf. His last album Jesus Piece, one of my first ever reviews, I would consider just a "good" album after a month of growing on me. I felt this album can only be better or worse than it. I kinda feel the same way about this album that I did about Jesus Piece. It's barely average but my grow on me over time. Now when you're dealing with The Game and his albums you know you're gonna get three things: excessive name dropping, impersonating other rappers and numerous guest features. So I'm not even gonna trip on that because I'm used to it. However, this album was originally supposed to be a compilation album showcasing all the new talent under his new Blood Money Ent. label. Majority of the features are them so it still kinda feels like a compilation. Anyway, here's the break down:

1. Bigger Than Me

Well...he begins the album the same way he has the last three albums: attacking the whole industry. Not mentioning names of course (believe it or not). Just an enraged Game coming at all those who he finds wack in the industry as well as those on the streets. Songs cool minus his terrible impression of a chainsaw sound. I'm also not understanding the whole wolf concept going on here (he has hidden interludes about wolves throughout the album). Though they don't really do anything for the album or for me, it doesn't hurt the album or this song.

2. F.U.N.

I hate being deceived by song titles. What I thought would be a song about what the titles says, turnd out to be an acronym for "fuck u niggas". Yeah...we're back to this again. Coming after everybody for no reason. Including taking a little jab at G-Unit. The song is alright but where it goes wrong is where he starts doing the worst Eminem impression I've ever heard. Like I said in the beginning he does this a lot as a way to salute his peers but this was just horrible and probably not needed on this kind of song. 

3. Really (featuring Yo Gotti, 2 Chainz, Soulja Boy and T.I.)

Once I saw all those who are featured on this track, I instantly thought to myself this will either be a hit or a miss....it was a miss. It's nothing but your typical bragging and boasting over a energized trap beat. Yo Gotti's verse was rather plain, 2 Chainz verse was filled with horrible lines (especially that "Di-rect/De-rek Jeter" line...my God), Soulja Boy was only on the hook and didn't say much thank goodness. T.I.'s verse may have been the best which probably isn't saying much on a below average track like this. It sounds nice in your car but anywhere else...no.

4. Fuck Yo Feelings (featuring Lil Wayne and Chris Brown)

Boy...there is so much wrong in this song that it's hilarious. All verses from everyone involved isn't even worth quoting. Thankfully Wayne is only on the hook (which still sucks because it just repeats "fuck yo feelings" over and over) but Chris Brown spits one of his worst rap verses to date. What makes this all even worst? They all are on auto-tune. There's only a very, very few artists I can tolerate on auto-tune and none of these three are it. On top of that, Game is spitting with that Migos flow that everybody is jocking now. Hate it. This song is easily forgettable. 

5. On One (featuring King Marie and Ty Dolla $ign)

This song grew on me quickly. I wasn't too sure about it after the first listen. Definitely has a huge club/party sound and could be a potential single. However this is one of many songs on here that makes this album feel more like a Blood Money Ent. compilation. King Marie is the chick singing on the hook and also has the first verse. Making it sound more like King Marie featuring The Game and Ty Dolla $ign as supposed to the other way around. But I overall actually like this. Let's see if he puts this out as a single because I think it would do well as one. 

6. Married To The Game (featuring French Montana, Sam Hook and Dubb)

Naming this song after his reality show got me to thinking that this would be about that. It was...somewhat. It seems like he just talking about some random hoe he's smashing and passing around to the homies as supposed to a chick he's wifing. What irritated me though was how every line on this song ends with "motherfucker". From all three rappers. Even though French Montana's verse was kinda funny with that Delonte West line. Average song overall.

7. The Purge (featuring Stacy Barth)

Now a change of pace. Here he talks about politics and everything going on in the world today. Specifically all the senseless violence and killing. In a way it's relatable because it does feel like a everyday pruge and we're all sick of it. Game speaks on purging himself and going around taking out all those responsible for all this violence in the world. The songs sad and depressing sounding production fits right in with the topic too giving it more emotion. Nice song.

8. Trouble On My Mind (featuring Dubb, Jake & Papa)

This is the second song that makes this more of a compilation album. The Game is not even on this track. It's basically Dubb's song featuring Jake & Papa. Much like the previous song, Dubb talks about all the senseless killings in today's world. Specifically the police brutality in the wake of the Michael Brown situation in Missouri. Sometimes the violence can consume you if you're around it enough. It can influence most to do wrong as well. I think that's biggest message here.

9. Cell Phone (featuring Dubb)

Nothing much going on here but your typical LA gang rap. I've heard this saying of "killing a nigga on a cell phone" so many times and still have no idea what that means. Whatever the case, I like the beat and the sample specifically here. Pretty good.

10. Best Head Ever (featuring Tyga and Eric Bellinger)

After hearing the disgustingly disturbing hidden interlude that comes before this, I feared the worst...and that's just what I got. This was so bad. Funny that Tyga is on it because it sounds like a typical lame Young Money song about sex. Hell this was probably one of their throw aways and Game scooped it up. Another forgettable track.

11. Or Nah (featuring Too $hort, Problem, AV and Eric Bellinger)

I swear...the very first time I heard this on the radio, I cried tears of laughter at how awful it was. He took the most overused saying of 2014 and turned it into a half assed DJ Mustard inspired twerk song. The hook was bad and the lyrics were worst. Only good thing I could say is that the beat is definitely Too $hort inspired (which explains his guest feature on here). It sounds a lot like a new school version of "Blow The Whistle". But still, this song was just bad all around. The ratchets will love it I'm sure but for me? Nah.

12. Take That (featuring Tyga and Pharoah Prophet)

Once again...another compilation feeling song without The Game on it. In fact, this is a R&B song. It's really Pharoah Prophet featuring Tyga. It's kinda average overall. Probably would have been a lot better without Tyga on it babbling about nothing. I find it quite funny that some of the better song on here The Game is not even on. This one will grow on me though. 

13. Food For My Stomach (featuring Dubb and Skeme)

...and the compilation tracks without The Game continues. Dubb and Skeme get together for another track of nothing but gang rap and thuggery. Definitely wasn't feeling the auto-tuned hook (especially after hearing "Fuck Yo Feelings"). But the rapping was cool. I don't know about that opening line from Dubb though ("I sink in my teeth cause these niggas is sweet"). Pause moment. Okay track overall.

14. Hit Em Hard (featuring Bobby Shmurda, Freddie Gibbs and Skeme)

Well this is certainly an interesting collaboration and contrast of styles. You got Freddie Gibbs an underground gangster rap lyricist, and Bobby Shmurda a barely legal kid from Brooklyn with a rambunctious rap style. Well...rambunctious is exactly what this song is. It's a hard hitting, trunk rattling track with a highly energetic beat. Props to Amadeus on the production. I actually sometimes don't like these kind of songs but this one was kinda cool.

15. Black On Black (featuring Jeezy and Kevin Gates)

Here's another one that grew on me quickly. The MeKanics do a really good job with this trap beat. Honestly, this should have been another song without Game because he did nothing for it. Jeezy and Kevin Gates did this beat more justice. In fact, this actually sounds like it would have fit well with Jeezy's latest album he dropped. Another good one for the whip.

16. Bloody Moon [BONUS TRACK]

You know what I've noticed this year? A lot of the bonus tracks on many of this years albums were close to if not better than majority of the songs that made the main album. Same case here. The Game is solo on this track and frankly that's when he's at his best. Here he tells the emotional story of growing up watching his father attempt to rape his sister (the two had different dads). Songs like this still makes me a Game fan. When he lets out emotion like this, he becomes a better artist. I have no idea why this is a bonus track because you can argue that it's better than every other song on the album.

In closing, this album is barely average but still has the potential to grow on me more. I honestly think this probably would have been a much better album if it was what it was supposed to be before. A Blood Money Ent. compilation album. I give it a final grade of a B-. I think The Game has put a good crop of decent talent for this new label of his. I look forward to see what they do in the future. As far as him, as I stated, The Game is at his best when he does a lot of his stuff solo. He's scheduled to drop The Documentary II next year. Let's just hope the guest feature number is at a minimum when that drops. As well as the name dropping and artist impersonations. Wishful thinking I know. End.

Final Grade: B-

CREDITS

Executive Producers

Jayceon Taylor

Cash Jones

Stanley Benton

Lead Artist

Jayceon Taylor

Production

Jordan Mosley

Matthew Burnett

Michael Hernandez

Rico Evans

Isabella Summers

Matthew Samuels

Cash Jones

Stanley Benton

Andre Lyon

Jeremy Jay

Dominick Lamb

Jonathan King

Collaboration

Mario Mims

Tauheed Epps

DeAndre Way

Clifford Harris, Jr.

Dwayne Carter

Christopher Brown

Tyrone Griffin

Karim Kharbouch

Stacy Barth

Michael Stevenson

Todd Shaw

Jason Martin

Ackquille Pollard

Frederick Tipton

Jay Jenkins

Kevin Gilyard

Stanley Benton

Label

Blood Money/eOne Ent.

Mic's Mixtape Of The Week

Dej Loaf

Sell Sole

Available now on Datpiff

Mic's Web Chick Of The Week

Shakeira

Knoxville, TN

Instagram: @wowshani  

Copyright 2014. Mic Navarro's Corner.

micnavarro.blogspot.com
@mic_navarro on Instagram

Keyshia Cole - Point Of No Return ALBUM REVIEW

It's hard to believe that next year will make ten years since Keyshia Cole set foot into the R&B world. Seems like yesterday I was for the first time watching her video for "I Should Have Cheated". Her first big single from her debut album. It was Keyshia's brash attitude, good looks and the west coast hood in her that drew people close to her. She was certainly a change of pace compared to the other R&B divas who were out at the time. But it's more so what she says in her music when it comes to love and relationships. While it's a topic 98% of singers talk about, Keyshia tells in a way that everyone woman can seriously relate to. Especially when it comes to talking about "ain't shit niggas". This is one of the many reasons why her whole career she's often been compared to Mary J. Blige. Well now, nine years later, she's still doing what she does best. Speaking to/for the ladies in the hood making them all say "yasss" in agreement. This is her sixth album Point Of No Return. Although I never listened to any of her albums from start to finish, I pretty much already know what to expect from her. After listening, it's pretty much the same stuff being talked about that I told you before. However, it's clear that she's either going through a bad relationship or trying to get over a bad break up. You can tell from her words and her tone of voice that she is upset and distraught about it all. Let's find out what's going on. Here's the breakdown:

1. Intro (Last Tango)

Right off the back she tells you exactly what's going on. By telling him how she feels. Fed up with the way the relationship is going. How all they do is "fight, fuck then make up" as she says in the hook. This isn't the kind of relationship she wants but yet she doesn't want to leave him. I hear this story way too many times with females. But this was a good way to start off a drama filled album.

2. Heat Of Passion

Now it's starting to get intense. Over a very low distorted bass line beat, she just finds out about her man cheating and how she knows everything he has done with her. Where they had sex, where they been hanging out, all the money he's given her etc. You can feel the emotional anger in her on this song. Especially on the hook how it kinda sounds like she's threatening to kill dude. The added sounded effects of police sirens and 911 dispatchers gives it more of a dramatic feel as well. I can only imagine the number of women who went through something similar who are gonna cling quickly to this song.

3. N.L. U (featuring 2 Chainz)

In the opening I mentioned how she often talks about those "ain't shit niggas". Well...here it is. The acronym in the title means Niggas Like U. Pretty much self explanatory what's going on here. After two tracks with soft production it finally got to something a bit more faster and uptempo. My only issue is you guessed it...2 Chainz. Not that his verse was horrible (it wasn't great either) but why is he on this track. He did nothing for it and seemed out of place. Overall though it's a cool song despite what she's talking about.

4. Next Time (Won't Give My Heart Away)

The drama continues. Here she shares how much of a mistake it was to take this guy back who did her wrong, cheated on her and such. But no matter how much they fight or if they split up, she still loves him. Kinda what the intro was talking about. I gotta say her choosing this song as the first single is rather interesting. Is it because of all the songs this is the one that best reflects what she's been through? Thinking to share it with everyone by making it a single? I'm sure all these songs on this album has a lot to do with her but.....I don't know man. Women are so confusing. The song is cool.

5. Rick James (featuring Juicy J)

First of all, I could do nothing but laugh when I saw the title of this track. With the way this album is going I could only imagine what this was about. I was hoping it would be a change of pace and getting away from the drama but nope...it isn't. Now it seems like her and dude got into a physical fight. Well...either with him or the girl he was cheating with I can't really tell. But in the hook she talks about putting her feet up on his (or her) couch. Following it with "yeah bitch I'm Rick James". It's so funny because it seems she's getting humorous with it by using this Rick James reference. The song is alright but once again, another not-needed guest verse. Juicy J's verse does nothing for this. But again, it's an alright song overall. 

6. Do That For (B.A.B.) [BONUS TRACK]

This track here is pretty dope. Especially the beat. I'm a little surprised that it's a deluxe edition track. It's clear here that now she's starting to get over him and she's just doing her. Having fun. I kinda laugh hearing her talk all that thug shit at the end when talking about dude. It's weird because she actually sounded a bit like 2Pac when he used to go on his profanity laced rants. What I didn't like was her reciting that God awful "Boss Ass Bitch" song in the beginning. I was praying that wasn't what the "B.A.B." in the title stood for. It's still a dope song though regardless. I like it.

7. New Nu

We go from one good beat to an even better one. Much props to Mike Will Made-It on this hard hitting rap beat. Again like I said on the last song, she's doing her now and over dude, In fact this song talks about him trying to get her back by showering her with gifts. Not gonna work. She's moved on and on her "new shit" as the sample in the song says. Dope track and love the production.

8. She

Now for some controversy. This was the single that had Twitter going nuts. It's one of those songs that will fool you if you don't listen to the lyrics closely. It's clear by the lyrics that she's either embracing her new found lesbian side (singing about being with another woman. The "she" she's referring to), or, she's talking about a little..."self-loving" if you get my drift. Either way the song and the lyrics are sexy. This was also a surprising DJ Mustard beat. It's much slower and well...R&B sounding than what he usually does. A lot of women today are a little bi-curious so this song shouldn't be that big of a deal. They also like to "self-love" as well. Yeah...I'll just leave it a that. 

9. Believer

I guess this is the part of the album where the sexual tension builds. This song is nothing more than her serenading her man. Making love to him and catering to him the way he likes. Possibly the way she likes too. Nothing more to take away from it than that. I think this one has to grow on me some more.

10. On Demand (featuring Wale and August Alsina) [BONUS TRACK]

The second of two bonus tracks. This was the best song on the album as far as collaboration. While the other features were misses this one was done well. Wale drops two okay verses in the beginning and end and August shares the hook with Keyshia. Sounds single worthy if you ask me. The beat is a little flat for my taste however. With these kind of guest features I expected something more energetic and uptempo but it doesn't hurt the song too bad.

11. Love Letter (featuring Future)

While there were many unimpressive guest features on this album, none really made the song bad....until now. I honestly cannot even like this song like I want to thanks to Future and his half-assed singing. I swear he sounding like a dying animal when trying to hit those high notes. I don't know what Keyshia was thinking getting him on this song when she could have gotten an actual male singer who would have done one hundred times better than this fool. Not feeling it. 

12. Party Ain't A Party (Gavyn Rhone)

....and now where back to the drama. I was deceived by the song title I gotta admit. Nothing really going on here but her expressing to him that she's leaving despite the fact that he wants her to stay. We finally, after the bad rap guest features, get a good R&B feature from Gavyn Rhone. Making a pretty good duet. Cool song.

13. Remember Pt. 2

This is probably the one real slow ballad of the album. This is also the one song that kinda puts everything into perspective. It sounds like here that she's still upset about the break up, but she clearly still loves him and wishes things could have worked out better. But then she goes on to say that it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe. 

In closing, I thought the album was good. Keyshia Cole continues to show emotional pain through life situations, specifically relationships and make it so all the young women she reaches out to can relate. I give it a final grade of a B-. I think one of the main reasons so many women can relate to Keyshia Cole is because of her background. Where she's from. She comes from a similar struggle to most women out here and knows exactly what they're going through. Not just when it comes to men and relationships but everyday things. This is why she is six albums in and is still relevant because of her words. Yeah at times she comes off as aggressive, raunchy, "bitchy" or straight up hood, but that's just the emotions in my opinion. I honestly think she is someone to look up to if you're a young woman. No doubt. End.

Final Grade: B-

CREDITS

Executive Producers

Keyshia Cole

Manny Halley

Lead Artist

Keyshia Cole

Production

Tim Kelley

Marcus White

Antwan Thompson

Jerrol Wizzard

Troy Taylor

Larry Griffin Jr.

Mark Landon

Roahn Hylton

Andre Parker

Michael Williams

Marquel Middlebrooks

Dijon McFarlane

Priese Lamont Board

Mikkel Eriksen

Tor Erik Hermansen

John Webb Jr.

Patrick Hayes

Collaboration

Tauheed Epps

Jordan Houston

Olubowale Akintimehin

August Alsina

Nayvadius Wilburn

Gavyn Rhone

Label

Interscope Records

Mic's Mixtape Of The Week

Ty Dolla $ign

Sign Language

Available now on Datpiff

Mic's Web Chick Of The Week

Alisha Marie

Baltimore, MD

Twitter/Instagram: @_naturalbeauty2     

Copyright 2014. Mic Navarro's Corner.

micnavarro.blogspot.com
@mic_navarro on Instagram

Chris Brown - X ALBUM REVIEW

Right now, if you start a conversation about Chris Brown, you'd probably get a lot of mixed of opinions about him. He's pretty much become a love him or hate him type of person. Hasn't always been like that though. Despite all the controversy, all the relationship drama and all the anger issues, you can't deny that Chris Brown, for the last nine years has been one of R&B and hip hop's most talented singers and performers. Countless chart topping hits, countless awards, high album sales you name it. It seems that no matter the situation he goes through, he still manages to do what he does best and that put out quality music. Here he is with X. His sixth album. Now honestly, I've never heard a full Chris Brown album. Just bits and pieces. His last album Fortune I never got to hear at all. So I didn't have any kind of expectation for this. I thought this album was just a barely average project. It seems Chris Brown has really embraced this whole uptempo/pop/dance style and embraced it hard. Majority of the production centers around that. Even the more somber and emotional songs. Also of course, what's a CB album without a bit of relationship drama. Which he has seen plenty of and talk about on here. Anyway, here's the song breakdown: 

1. X

The album starts off with what Chris has been doing a lot of lately. Genre blending. This song starts off as a R&B track, calm and slow. Then the beat switches to hip hop as he gets more aggressive with his vocal tone. The producer Diplo did a pretty good job with it. As far as the meaning, it can be interpreted in different ways. I see it as him showing a bit of maturity. He talks about how he's now blocking out all negativity. Avoiding it. How he's stop hanging with the wrong crowd, how he's avoiding girl drama and such. An okay way to start the album I suppose.

2. Add Me In

This is a fast uptempo flash dance sounding track. You can most definitely hear the Michael Jackson influence in this. Not only in sound but even in the vocals. He even does those little sudden breaths that MJ used to do. However this song lyrically was poor. He uses math references and metaphors to try to attract a female. The one he said in the opening line was cringe worthy: "your body is an isosceles and I'm just tryna try angles". Horrible. The song overall is just not my cup of tea.

3. Loyal (featuring Lil Wayne and Tyga)

An argument can be made that this was by far the biggest hit record of 2014. So big that the hook became one of the years most popular phrases. "These hoes ain't loyal". From t-shirts to internet memes, it was everywhere. The first time I heard this song I thought it was cool and catchy but after endless radio spins it's now become a major headache. I do prefer to hear this version of it with Tyga instead of French Montana version where he does nothing but steal Jay-Z's whole verse. It's a fun song for everyone whether it's the fellas that can relate or the women who hate it. 

4. New Flame (featuring Usher and Rick Ross)

Single #2. Much like "Loyal", this too is becoming quite a headache because of all the radio play. Although this is the first time Chris and Usher have ever collaborated, am I the only one that feel like this song could have done without Usher? Not that he was bad but this song has too many people on it considering the songs sound and content. It feels like a remix. Rick Ross was enough. But whatever. The song is rather average to me but it's understandable why many like it.

5. Songs On 12 Play (featuring Trey Songz)

When I first saw this song listed, I thought it wouldn't be nothing but another generic panty wetter for the ladies. Turns out this song was that plus more. This was basically this generations two most popular male singer coming together to salute the man and the album that paved the way. Chris and Trey sings about making love to this album while naming various tracks from that album. I thought it was pretty cool. Nice tribute song.

7. Drown In It (featuring R. Kelly)

Well, it's only fitting that the very next track features the man himself. Now my early perception of this was the same as "Songs On 12 Play". Well...turns out that's exactly what it is. A panty wetter. Shouldn't be too much of a surprise considering the song title. Anyway, it's just your typical bedroom banger. Nothing special. Spend a night with a female, put this on and have fun.

8. Came To Do (featuring Akon)

What's with all of these duets with male singers on this album? Looking a little suspect right now Chris. Anyway, this song is kinda cool. Well...production wise anyway. Nic Nac, who also did "Loyal", does a good job here. You can also hear some DJ Mustard influence in the beat too. The big issue here is the repetitive hook which you all know I hate. Also I don't know if Akon was the right person for this song. Could have used a rapper. On a album that has numerous singles, I'm shocked this isn't one of them.

9. Stereotype

Okay...now begins the drama. It took a few listens but when you listen close to the lyrics, he's clearly talking about a relationship that went sour. Blaming it on the girl. Talking about how he thought she was different but she's just like the rest. Another "stereotype". I can help but think there's only one person he could possibly be talking about. I'm not even gonna mention her name. Y'all know. What's crazy is the production is very clubby and dancy. Giving off a happy feel as if he's happy about coming at her like this. Or just happy to be moved on from her. A part of me laughs because a lot of the stuff he says about her, while it might be true, could also be said about him. But I won't go no further into that. That's none of my business.

10. Time For Love

Nothing special going on here. Just another uptempo genre blending dance track. It's a lot of that going on on this album. But again, another repetitive hook. He's certainly slacking in that department. At least on this album he is. A barely average track overall. 

12. Autumn Leaves (featuring Kendrick Lamar)

One of the years more anticipated collaborations. I'm a bit surprised at how emotional and mellow this track is. I expected to go a total different way. But anyway this is just another example of Kendrick giving a song more life with his incredible poetic lyricism. Not easy to do on the very calm and breezy beat (pun intended). Had Chris not got him on here it probably wouldn't be as enjoyable. Probably the only song on the album saved by the guest artist.

13. Do Better (featuring Brandy)

After the success these two had with the hit song "Put It Down" from a few years ago, they had to do it again. This time around things are a bit more serious. This is another one of those male singer/female singer duets where they portray a couple expressing feelings to one another. Only this time they talking about their bad break up and how they regret it. It's a okay song if you like these kind of duets. Not as good as "Put It Down" but it's okay.

14. See You Around

Here he's going through another emotional break up. Although this sounds more like his current situation which I'm not gonna even get into. But yet again, he pours out emotion on another uptempo dance beat. Why not a more emotional production choice? That was another error with this album. I think he's way too attached to that sound now. 

15. Don't Be Gone Too Long

....and the uptempo pop madness continues. Apparently this track features Ariana Grande who you can clearly hear in the background vocals. But yet she's not credited on the album. Don't understand the issue there. Whatever the case, this sound is really getting old and predictable now.

16. Body Shots

On an album where majority of the production was either average or poor, this one stands out. Much props to Razihel on the production. This could also be a huge club record with a sound like this. Especially what he talks about in the song. Drinking and taking shots. Pretty good song overall. 

17. Drunk Texting (featuring Jhene Aiko)

Another much anticipated collabo and I gotta say, it's a pretty damn good one. The two talk about a late night where they are beyond drunk and texting their lover some things they might regret the next day. Now I'm sure a lot of you can certainly relate to this. How fitting that this comes right after a song called "Body Shots". The beat on this was dope as well. How crazy that the last track (unless you have the deluxe edition) is probably the best song on the album. 

Overall, from a full R&B stand point, this album is just average at best. Mediocre pop beats, excessive genre blending, and just messy lyrics. Like I said this is apparently the route Chris Brown is gonna go with his music now and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not based on this. I give this a final grade of a C.  Well like I said in the beginning, love him or hate him, you can't deny his talent. Regardless if he's singing, rapping or dancing. He is one of music best entertainers today. Now we will see where this new sound blending thing takes him. Could be good could be bad. Hopefully it does goes good. Last thing he needs right now is to make more bad decisions. End.

Final Grade: C

CREDITS

Executive Producers

Christopher Brown

Mark Pitts

Lead Artist

Christopher Brown

Production

Thomas Pentz

Nathan Hills

Nicholas Balding

Justin Johnson

Melvin Hough II

Rivelino Wouter

Robert Kelly

Jean Baptiste

Darhyl Camper

Leon Youngblood Jr.

Jonathan Solone-Myvett

Scott Hoffman

Joseph Bereal

Nicolo Arquilla

Daniele Autore

Tommy Brown

Steven Franks

Tranell Simms

Collaboration

Dwayne Carter

Michael Stevenson

Usher Raymond IV

William Roberts

Tremaine Neverson

Robert Kelly

Aliuane Thiam

Kendrick Duckworth

Brandy Norwood

Jhene Chilombo

Onika Maraj

Label

RCA Records

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