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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