Mic Navarro's Corner: Ne-Yo - Non-Fiction ALBUM REVIEW

Only eight years in the game and Ne-Yo already has a better resume than most singers who been in it longer. Numerous number one hits, top selling albums, awards etc. But even with all of this success, why does it still seem like Ne-Yo is underrated in the R&B world? Whenever most people bring up the conversation of R&B's top dogs he always forgotten. I don't understand. Nonetheless, Ne-Yo's achievements speak for itself. He is one of music's top singers and songwriters. I always admired his knack for being able to pretty much make any kind of record for any occasion. So because of that, I'm kinda eager to see what Ne-Yo has up his sleeve this time around. This is his sixth album Non-Fiction. Now the last album I heard from Ne-Yo was believe it or not his second album Because Of You. Which happens to be my favorite album from him. So because of that I really didn't know what to expect here. This album I thought was alright at best. It's alright as far as sound, but very dope in concept. The album tells a story in sequential order about a girl he meets, gets involved with, drama follows and they break up. This is something I've never seen Ne-Yo do and he did it quite well. Production was was for the most part weak to average. A lot of the same synthy drum/bass filled beats we're used to hearing on radio now. So I'm gonna touch more on the album's concept during this review more so than the music itself. Here's the break down:

1. Run (featuring Schoolboy Q)

So we begin right off the back with some uptempo hip hop fusion. I really like the production here. The "thump" that the bass gives is dope. Props to Key Wane on the production. Of course with such a strong hip hop sound like this, he had to throw an MC on it. Schoolboy drops a few okay bars. Just to give it more flavor. Nothing serious. But this was cool overall. Nice intro track.

2. Integrity (featuring Charisse Mills)

Here the albums pace instantly slows down. On this song, Ne-Yo sings about approaching this amazingly attractive woman at the club. Whispering something nice in her ear and what not. Then she tells him how she knows his game and how he done gave that same look and approach to a bunch of other woman. Politely turning him down. Her name is Integrity, which apparently she's full of. I'm sure there's a large number of men have come across a woman like this. It also seems Ne-Yo likes these types. He often talks about these strong, intelligent women with high standards (see "Ms. Independent"). But this was a okay slow jam overall.

3. One More (featuring T.I.)

Some of the best songs on this album are the ones with rap guest features. This is one. I like this mid-tempo production with the nice assortment of trap-like drums. Props to Glass John on the production. Here he's offering to buy "one more drink to a girl he just met at the club. Saying that she's looks stressed and she deserves it. T.I.'s verse was alright for what it was. Nothing too crazy. Song is good overall. Nice production.

4. Who's Taking You Home

It was at this point of the album where I started to realize that these songs are telling a story in sequential order. Now after buying her another drink on the previous song, he's now asking who's taking her home because she obviously too drunk to drive. The production is sped up with a heavy dance/pop sound. Something Ne-Yo has dabbled in plenty of times and does on this album. That sound is not really my thing but many should like it here.

5. Time Of Our Lives (featuring Pitbull)

After the huge success Ne-Yo and Pitbull had with their hit "Give Me Everything", they had to get back together for another one. This song pretty much has the same sound. That uptempo, crossover pop/hip hop/dance fusion. Now in this part of the story, Ne-Yo is pretty much enjoying the remainder of his time in the club before the club let's out. One last turn up. I don't know if this can be as big as "Give Me Everything", but I can see it becoming popular.

6. Coming With You

Man I really like the sound of this track. Stargate, the producer, gets all the credit here. It has this old school techno/dance sound that really sounds dope. In fact, the tempo and drum patterns sound a lot like the classic Crystal Waters hit "Gypsy Woman" (which was also sampled by T.I. on "Why You Wanna"). Now in continuation with the story, it seems at this point he's told the girl he's coming home with her and now they're back at her/his place (not sure) having some...fun. But anyway this song is cool. Love the old school feel.

7. Good Morning

The title should tell you what happens next. It's the next morning and he's fixing her breakfast in bed and just making her feel comfortable and loved before she has to leave for work. The production here sounds alot like...today. Mainstream today. Lots of bass and very synthy. Average song overall.

8. Make It Easy

Majority of the beats on here are either okay, average or bad. This was bad to me. It just sounded so basic and plain compared to everything else. Sounds like it was probably a throw away beat that probably wasn't gonna be used in the first place. As far as this story goes, it sounds like he's telling her what he's expecting out of this new relationship. As well as asking her what she wants. Not feeling this song though. Mostly because of the production.

9. Money Can't Buy (featuring Jeezy)

Two of my favorite beats on this album were both singles. Here's the first one. It's a more relaxed tempo beat but still has enough energy to groove to in the club. Props to DJ Montay. Jeezy's guest verse was probably the best on the album. It was hard trying to figure out what's happening here in the story however. My assumption is he still talking with her but now complimenting her saying she has traits money can't buy. But that's just my assumption though.

10. Religious

Now here we get a very interesting artist/producer collaboration. Ne-Yo gets David Banner for this very interesting production. Filled with plenty of drums, snares and background horns. Not your typical David Banner beat. Now it sounds like he's thanking God for finding her and sharing how blessed he is to find her. I guess if a woman is that perfect she can make a man become very religious. But overall this song is alright.

11. She Knows (featuring Juicy J)

Now here is my second favorite beat and also the second single. In fact, this might the best and most livest song on the album. Huge props to Dr. Luke for this extremely catchy and infectious beat. I even thought Juicy J's verse was tolerable with this beat. Now because this song is so catchy and because I've heard it so many times on the radio, it's hard to see where this ties in into the story. Honestly it doesn't matter because this song you listen to just for the fun sound. Dope song.

12. She Said I'm Hood Tho (featuring Candice)

Uh oh...now the story gets interesting. Here Ne-Yo is introduced to a new girl name Temptation. Yeah...you can probably guess what happens next. He's had a few drinks and now telling this new girl that he's feeling her and such. Needless to say things is bout to get messy. Anyway this production is another synthy production. Heavy bass with background tambourines and trap-like drums. Nothing special.

13. Story Time

...and it just got messy. Now here Ne-Yo finds out that his main girl (Integrity) just found out about the new girl (Temptation). He's now asking her about bringing in the new girl for a possible threesome. Of course, she's not down with that and it leads to an argument. Most women, unless they freak level is high, aren't into that stuff anyway so hearing this isn't a surprise. The beat is really soft and slow and filled with string instruments. It fits the mood of the song well.

14. Congratulations

So this story ends with him apparently breaking up with her and moving on. But, he runs into an old girlfriend and finds out she's involved with someone else now. He feels some kind of way now despite him feeling happy for her and congratulating her. He realized he made a mistake. The song sounds very loud and triumphant. Which could again represent him moving on with life. Hoping to find someone else. Nice way to end this album and story.

Overall, I thought Non-Fiction was a fairly decent project from Ne-Yo. However, it was great in concept. For that alone many will relate to this album and find it enjoyable. I give it a final grade of a C+. Regardless where critics may rank him, Ne-Yo continues to be one of musics most consistent singers, songwriters and straight up hit makers. He's also one of very few that can successfully crossover into other genre's and make chart topping hits. For this I'll always be a fan. He is definitely one of R&B's top dog...and there's nothing fiction about that. It's fact. End.

Lyrics: B

Production: C-

Collaboration: C+

Originality: B-

Concept(s): B+

Final Grade: B-