Usher - Looking 4 Myself - Album Review

When talking about his new album, R&B legend of our decade, Usher said his new album would be "revolutionary pop." While it didn't show up as this billing, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Is it Confessions? No. Is it his best album since Confessions? Absolutely. Most importantly, Usher pulls this offer without compromising his urban forte.

The album begins with anthem "Can't Stop, Won't Stop." The track begins as a little "Scream" but soon develops into a Confessions style electro-crunk jam, especially with the "I can't-can't stop it" hook, similar to the style of music Epic beauty Ciara and Usher brought to the forefront of pop music in the mid-2000s.

When I first heard the dance-pop of "Scream", I was like here we go again, and this would be his last three pop singles charged into one, especially 2010's "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love." However, "Scream" is definitely a grower and fully worthy of single selection. You already know about "Climax." The understated, underrated, contender for top song of 2012 is magnificently awesome. This is the track that initially restored my faith in Usher.

Usher mixes 90's R&B with contemporary dub step in fourth track "I Care 4 U" and this song should be considered in the future as a single. This is followed by the decent "Show Me." A dabble of quiet storm, along with some nice pop rhymes and a beat results in a success. The audience call & answer near the end does equal annoyance, however. Then we have third single "Lemme See." I know a lot of people have ragged on this song, saying that it wasn't worthy of consideration. It's not a bad song though. I just think a lot is going on at once and its like two different songs. You have Usher in falsetto, then going straight into him talk-rapping in the bridge, and then a different chorus.  I suppose the Rick Ross  feature adds wealth to the pretty good track as well.

The singer takes it back in time for the Pharrell-produced "Twisted." A mix of the Motown sound and soul, Pharrell adds his signature drummy production for the eclectic track which will sound perfect as background music for the new season of Scandal. "Dive" is a pretty solid R&B track. It's like a "There Goes My Baby" part two, but I slept through it this time. Produced by Jim Jonsin, its pretty much a less interesting "Motivation." Usher sings it divinely though so thats a plus. At least its R&B so that's always a good thing. "What Happened To U" continues the streak, but I stayed awake this time. Once the track picks up it becomes a wonderful track. Usher is on his Drake-swag, singing about lost love and trading fame courtesy of Drake producer Noah "40" Shebib.

The album's title track is pretty interesting. It is a swing-pop gem and another throwback. The song even reminds me of a more current and urban version of Estelle's "American Boy"..if that makes any sense. Who is Luke Steele and why is he on here? I'm not complaining though.

Then Usher reels in Swedish House Mafia and it all goes to heck with "Numb". Like most of his pop efforts, they are really good pop songs but Usher, this song really isn't that either. Next. He has Rico Love in tow again for "Lessons For the Lover", and pulls off a Confessions-esque track. But it begins that way. Soon enough it downs like "Dive." Nothing is wrong with that though. R&B rules. However he gets back on track with a soul throwback in "Sins of My Father" giving us horns and strings. I felt like I was listening to a tape from the 70s. On the last track of the Standard edition, he bring Swedish House Mafia back, but this time to better results. I'm not a big fan of huge 80s beats, but its serves its purpose I suppose.

As far as the deluxe edition, "I.F.U" reminds me of the hey-day of 2000s hip-hop which was topping the charts, and I instantly thought of Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" for some reason, but with a violin accompaniment. "Say The Words" is another interesting track, part 70s style, part contemporary indie-alternative. "2nd Round" is a smooth track returning Usher to R&B king status. I think a Rick Ross feature might have worked better on this song rather than "Lemme See." The album is completed with the A$AP Rocky-assisted "Hot Thing" another stellar production by Pharrell, and I'm glad this was included. Giving more hip-hop than his throwback "Twisted", I enjoyed it.

In his last two albums, it just seemed as Usher tried to re-create the success of Confessions with Here I Stand and Raymond v. Raymond . He didn't try at all this time and it has resulted in his best album since Confessions. This album should have commercial success. Look for Looking 4 Myself to become a hit critically and one of the best of the year.

Top Tracks: "Climax", "Twisted", "Looking for Myself", "I Care 4 U"

Rating: 4.5/5

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