The leading man in R&B, Usher, had a successful 2010 with a string of pop/dance influenced tracks that found their way into the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. In 2012, the soul singer gives listeners his seventh studio album, Looking 4 Myself, which contains a different sound for the artist. A sound he labeled “revolutionary pop”. The tracks featured on the album my not be revolutionary, but they do feature exceptional vocal talent a clever mix of the hip-hop, R&B, pop and electronic genres. Preceded by three singles, including two top twenty hits, the album shows a nice evolution of an artist.
The opener, “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop”, does not start the album on the right foot. Declaring your own song a jam before it begins is a big ego at work. The beat is too slow for Usher’s voice, sounds a little awkward. Include lyrics about getting someone wet and raincoats and it turns into one big mess without anything really holding it down. Usher can sing, but the talent is wasted on this throwaway club cut.
I am going to say now that even though I think “Scream”, the album’s current single, is generic, I cannot stop playing it. Usher has had big hits with heavy pop/dance tracks and why wouldn’t he create more of them? I can see anyone getting dirty on a dance floor every time this track comes on. It is oozing sex appeal and that may be a big reason for my attraction towards it.
The effort’s lead single, “Climax”, a song dealing about the turning point in a relationship, was a nice departure from the artist and its producer, Diplo. Both have been known for their loud, danceable tracks, but here we get a slow jam that focuses more on Usher’s incredible vocals. I feel the artist released the song not for chart success, but to show a turning point in his own career. Success.
Even though a pulsating background beat quickly invades the listener when “I Care For U”, Usher’s vocals are slow and sultry, just how I like them. The artist does not want to change how things are with his true love, showing he cares for her more than anything. Usher is pleading here, what woman would not melt when this mesmerizing song is sung to them?
“Show Me” continues with the artist’s new sound and direction. Instead of head-throbbing, heavy produced pop tracks, slower, catchy songs are explored. The track has to be one of the better cuts from the album as the listener will continue bobbing their head and clapping their hands all the way through. The beat picks up towards the end and the track of having a good time never stumbles.
Rick Ross assists Usher on the overly-sexual “Lemme See”. The artist proclaims he cannot wait to get his girl home…Wonder what they are going to do there?! The song is very R&B, nice seeing the artist going back to his real roots, but to be honest, the song is slightly mediocre. The song is not bad, but not one I would choose as an official single. Ross throws in some rhymes. Maybe the best aspect.
Pharrell’s work on Adam Lambert’s Trespassing impressed me, and he is back again on “Twisted”, a fun, retro-sounding piece. Usher’s stuck on stupid, having delusions, it is cute to see him so confused about love. The track is nothing groundbreaking, but it is nice seeing both artists having a good time on this carefree jam. Production is a big reason for the track’s flavor, so Usher needs to thank Pharrell now.
One of the slowest songs on the album, “Dive”, is another sex song, talking about getting people wet. Usher’s falsetto is practically perfect, but I could not find anything about the track that was extremely interesting. This may be one that I skip over unless I have someone over. The violins heard throughout are great additions; they give the track something extra. Just not my favorite.
Usher then asks “What Happened To U”. The track is smooth as the singer lists materialistic objects that would normally ruin or get in the way of a relationship. The artist’s vocals are impressive yet again, but the material falls a little flat and I am left uninterested. I cannot help but laugh when the singer lists how many Grammys he has or how many girls he has been with. Was that necessary?
The title track is something different for the album. It carries a 90s, carefree vibe to it. I couldn’t help but rock my head as the track progressed. It seems the artist has forgotten exactly who he is as he sings that he is looking for what makes him unique. I will say that the song is a standout only because it was a real surprise to hear the artist on this type of song. An unexpected surprise.
You will only want to throw your hands up and dance when you discover Swedish House Mafia is responsible for the fee-good track, “Numb”, one of the greatest dance cuts off the album. Usher’s vocals are soft and smooth and the addictive accompanying beat is reminiscent of David Guetta’s “Without You”. The singer wants you to forget all that is bothering you and just have a good time. Oh I’m listening.
The intro to “Lessons For The Lover” is strong. The song then turns into a pulsating, love jam that would be found on one of those compilation TV albums they try selling you. Lovers are “caught up in the passion” are this instructional track gives advice to potential sweethearts. Ushers sings to let the argument turn you on with a voice that will surely hypnotize.
The closest you get into the singer’s personal life is on “Sins of My Father”. No one can deny that the artist has some soul, there is a reason he is an R&B singer, and he showcases his soulful voice on this emotional and personal track. The song does seem forgettable surrounded by other highlights. I would not consider it one of my favorites, or one of the best on the record.
The album closes strongly with another Swedish House Mafia-produced track. “Euphoria” is how the listener will feel once the song comes to an end. A sense of satisfaction and relief will develop as the pulsating beat comes through the speakers. It is a risk to have more than one song from a dance producer, but SHM creates a unique listen. Better than his former inclusion. Nice ending.
Looking 4 Myself is an album that showcases a reinvented sound for an artist with a familiar name. However, at 14 tracks, the album does get a little heavy and repetitive. Usher should have trimmed the fat a little, maybe left it at a stronger 11 or 12-track effort. The album goes back and forth between hip-hop and dance influenced tracks, but does not do a great job at showing any consistency. Where the effort is consistent is in the artist’s vocal performances which are near perfect on every single track. The artist’s career has spanned over a decade and the album proves why. It gets an 82%.
Tracks to Hear: “Scream”, “Show Me” and “Numb”
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