Usher tries once again to make a comeback with his album Raymond v Raymond

 

Usher was the king of R&B before he suddenly decided to take a four year hiatus. With his album "Confessions", he set the bar so high that it was impossible to measure up. With such a killer first album combined with his disappearing act, expectations were high for his comeback album. His last album "Here I Stand" was nowhere close and, other than the hit songs "Love in This Club" and "Trading Places", went quite unnoticed. Two years later, "Raymond v Raymond" doesn’t change much.

Every track on the album proves that he sure has a voice worth listening to, but a voice alone can’t carry an entire album. The music and melodies are borderline average and easily forgettable. The slower soul ballads don’t leave an impression with the exception of the song "Papers", one of the highlights of the album, which hits upon the true soul of R&B rather than a cheap imitation.


The songs are all about girls and tend to revolve around the subject of sex, causing listeners to find every song similar to the next. No substance, no catchy tune, not much other than the Usher brand. Only a few songs are worth purchasing, such as "OMG" ft. William, Lil Freak ft. Nicki Minaj, and "Hey Daddy" which are not only radio favorites but also ideal club/party songs.


Usher is no longer representing the true R&B/soul lovers. His songs are aiming for mainstream plays in the club and on the radio rather than sticking to the real soul music he used to make. 

But as long as his albums have a track or two to hold on to, loyal Usher fans like myself will remain ever faithful.