25 Magazine’s Letese Clark gives Drake’s Thank Me Later a first listen.

WORDS BY LETESE CLARK

The Canadian native Aubrey Graham, better known as Drake, has finally released his debut album Thank Me Later after much anticipation. It seems as if it was yesterday when he was Jimmy on the hit television series Degrassi. Drake established fame as one of the strongest emerging artists today with his mixtape So Far Gone, and Thank Me Later marks the beginning of what will probably be a long, lucrative career. The album includes production by Kanye West, Noah “40” Shebib, Boi-1da, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland. For Drake’s sake, here’s hoping that Thank Me Later slow sells a million.

1. “Fireworks” Feat. Alicia Keys
The opening track is the beginning of never-ending story and celebration, hence the firework sound effects at the start. Alicia Key’s soulful vocals foreshadows the story that unfolds throughout the album.

2. “Karaoke”
This tracks to be one of the more lack luster exudes a R&B vibe, nothing too exciting.

3. “The Resistance”
Drake continues with the R&B flow on this track, this time speaking on the resistance to changing one’s character.

4. “Over”
The leading single is a return to hip-hop and the heavy hitting Drake as he dismisses the naysayers and continues to do him until it is all over—no the most original motto but still apreciated. This by far is the best track off the album and has the makings of an anthem.

5. “Show Me A Good Time”
Drake was never one for humility. He works hard and isn’t afraid to let it be known. On this track, Drake is looking forward to being shown a good time as a reward for putting in work.

6. “Up All Night” Feat. Nicki Minaj
Another track declaring to the haters that he is on top of his game but this time Drake shouts out his Young Money crew and their contributions to his fame. Nicki Minaj offers a laid-back but nevertheless hard-hitting verse minus her usual theatrics.

7. “Fancy” Feat. Swizz Beatz
Finally, a track for the ladies. This collaboration is an anthem for the independent, intelligent, well-kept and well, fancy woman.

8. “Shut It Down” Feat. The Dream
Drake has teamed up with The Dream to produce another hit strictly for the ladies. With one particular female in mind, the rapper proclaims that she is shutting it down in every aspect of her life. A likely follow-up to “Best I Ever Had.”

9. “Unforgettable” Feat.Young Jezzy
This track features a sample from the late Aaliyah. Both rappers plead fans to disregard the images presented by the paparazzi and remember them for their lyrics—lyrics they consider unforgettable.

10. “Light Up” Feat. Jay-Z
Late night studio sessions while everybody else is out partying and hating critics, this track is a testament to the strenuous music grind. Welcome to the industry.

11. “Miss Me” Feat. Lil Wayne
The album wouldn’t be complete without a lengthily verse from mentor, Lil Wayne. Drake goes on to rap about a variety of things on this track most notably, his love for Nicki Minaj, but in the ends he just wants fans to miss him when he’s gone.

12. “Cece’s Interlude”
This R&B interlude has Drake open, aching for the one that got away. Another joint for the woman he’s tripped up over.

13. “Find Your Love”
The large Caribbean population in Canada has not left Drake untouched. This second single offers an island take to Drake’s ongoing love affairs.

14. “Thank Me Now”
“Thank Me Later, yeah I know what I said but later doesn’t always come so instead you can thank me now” Drake could not have found a better track to close out his debut album with as he declares his spot in hip hop.

Kylee Coney gives Marsha Ambrosius’ mixtape, Yours Sincerely a first listen.

Words by Kylee Coney

Her voice is unforgettable. Once you hear the way she effortlessly runs through octaves with her signature tone, you automatically recognize Marsha Ambrosius.  Ambrosius became famously known as the songstress of the popular R&B duo Floetry. Floetry’s debut album Floetic released in 2002, with songs “Say Yes” and “Getting Late.” As a solo artist, Ambrosius has collaborated with artists such as Nas, The Game, Jamie Foxx, Busta Rhymes and Wale. She has recently signed with Sony/BMG distributed label J Records. On February 20, 2010 Marsha Ambrosius dropped her eight-track long mixtape Yours Sincerely that showcased her femininity, sensuality, and her walk with love. Her first solo album is expected to be released June 2010.

1)     “Intro”- “How do I get through to you? I don’t know what to say to make you see how much I want you.” Ambrosius starts the mixtape off bold, proclaiming her heated and strong desire for her lover with strong vocals and a slow rhythmic ballad.

2)     “Let Me Go”- Two words: control freak-literally. Ambrosius sings of her vulnerability and compassion for this one guy.

3)     “Put it on Repeat”- “You’re like a ski-ski-skipping record, stay on repeat, can’t get you out my head.” She reveals how she is uncontrollably in love and wants to replay pieces of their relationship over and over again. The animated up-beat tempo makes you want to sing along, and Ambrosius’ playful tone towards the end of the song is contagious (“…my name is Marsha Ambrosius, I’m supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”).

4)     “She Don’t Matter”- This is a song that tells of the irrelevance of the “other girl.” Ambrosius pleads with her lover to let the other woman go, telling him that she could never love him as much as she does.

5)     “This Love”- Ambrosius collaborates with Glenn Lewis for a duet that reminisces on a love that is no more. The song resonates sadness from both singers who seem to be in a confusing relationship- caught between the greatness of the past and the broken state of their present. Ambrosius’ soprano voice and Lewis’ mellow high-tenor voice create a captivating combination for listeners.

6)     “Storm”- Maybe we all think we’re tougher than what we really are. Ambrosius admits that she talks a good talk but is not strong enough to survive if her lover left her.  “No shelter is big enough to protect my broken heart, please don’t leave me in this storm”.

7)     “Glass”- This song expresses the hurt that she has been through in all her relationships. She exposes a different perspective of herself, insisting she is more fragile than most may believe. Ambrosius sings “I’m like glass” accompanied with harmonious guitar and piano instrumentals that add to the song’s intensity and sensitivity.

8)     “Take Care”- Ambrosius is obviously anxious to see that special someone. She sings of how she wants her lover to hurry up and get home so he can take care of her. Ahhh, selfless love.

1st Listen: Chris Brown Grafitti

25 Magazine Kylee Coney gives Chris Brown third studio album Grafitti, a first listen.

Words by Kylee Coney

Chris Brown released his long awaited third album Graffiti on December 8, 2009. The title represents the different mix of up-tempo and low-tempo songs he offers on his latest release. From slow songs like “Sing Like Me” to exciting fast paced songs that make you dance like “I Can Transform Ya,” the album offers a variety of music that does not disappoint. No longer a teenager, he boldly expresses his feelings with an “I’m my own man attitude.” Brown gives more personality this time around than on his two previous albums Chris Brown (2005) and Exclusive (2007), as he shares his thoughts on life and love. The entire album conveys an apologetic tone towards losing love. Brown’s lyrics, “But if you don’t come back, girl your love was worth it, that’s the one thing I know,” in “I’ll Go” shows he still believes in love and has learned from previous mishaps. In height of the recent negative media attention of physical abuse upon his ex-girlfriend Rihanna, Brown’s album is obviously part of an attempt to reconcile with his fans and reclaim his image.

1. I Can Transform Ya

Brown does an awesome collaboration with Wayne and Swizz beats with this one. Definitely starts off the CD right letting the girls know he can “upgrade em.” Shoes you got it, bags you got it, cars you got it….ok Brown!

2. Sing Like Me

Apparently Brown loves the ladies and they love him, so much that he got them singing his songs on the regular! Don’t want to get to cocky do we now? This is a great slow song that you’ll learn to love.

3. Crawl

Brown pours out his heart out into this song. It’s a passionate song that shows his strong belief in love and r.conciliation.

4. So Cold

Come on-we’ve all had that broken heart that makes us wanna plead for our ex to come back right? Brown sings of a love lost because of the mistakes that he made during the relationship.

5. What I Do

“When they ask me ‘bout the cars, and the girls, and the cribs I just tell ‘em its what I do.” Brown does some stuntin’. The unexpected and interesting collaboration with Plies undeniably brings the hood aspect to the song.

6. Famous Girl

Tales of another relationship gone wrong. “You’re famous girl, shoulda known you’d break my heart.” The theme is kind of cliché, but the rhythmic beat of the song will want to make you get up and do your best Chris Brown dance impersonation.

7. Take My Time

Whoa “Take You Down” was one thing but Chris, along with singer Tank, made this song scream sensual and sexy.

8. I.Y.A. (In Your Arms)

Techno beat and auto-tune effects on this song is a tad different from the rest of the CD. The song expresses how Brown wants nothing more than to be with the girl he loves in her arms. It may take some time to get used to the music though.

9. Pass Out

Once again, he explores into the pop genre with the ultra-techno beat and auto-tune. However, this song goes way overboard with the high pitched sounds and the song just sounds noisy. Sorry, not a good look.

10. Wait

Put Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and the Game together and you know it’s a hit. They all brag about how great they are at spending the cash and getting the girls. It’s an intense up-beat song that shows off their immense swag.

11. Lucky Me

He really opened up in this song, confessing how difficult it is sometimes to always be in the spotlight and have an image to maintain.

12. Fallin Down

This one feels a little Michael Jackson-ish. Interesting and catchy song that talks of how hard it is to live under intense scrutiny with little understanding. “Someone pick me up ‘cause I’m fallin’ down…”

13. I’ll Go

Chris explains how deep his love is for that special someone, insisting he’d go get the stars and bring them back just for her. He reveals that even if she doesn’t love him back, he’d still think making the trip was worth it just for her. Awww, sweet.

25 Magazine’s India Banks gives Wale’s debut album Attention Deficit, a first listen.

Words by India Banks

D.C. native and rapper, Wale has officiated the DMV’s recognition as a growing niche in the hip hop world, with his debut album Attention Deficit. On his road from underground rapper to an internationally known artist, Wale built his mound through his past three mixtapes: Seinfield, A Mixtape About Nothing, and his recent June release, Back to the Feature. With these mixtapes being his main outputs and his album release date being pushed back from October 20th to November 11th, hip-hop lovers have anxiously craved his debut. Yet the wait was well worth it. Wale manages to fill the vacant spot for the DMV on the international hip-hop scene with his first two singles “Chillin” and “Pretty Girls,” which both carry the essence of D.C. go-go music. Instead of Wale selfishly professing his lyrical skills on Attention Deficit, he spits about real life issues from insecure females on the track, “Diary,” to blacks facing colorism on the Chrisette Michele vocal driven track, “Shades.” This album allows this altruistic artist to demand respect not only for the DMV, but additionally as a successful newcomer.

1. “Triumph” – Wale starts off strong with this jazzy tune complimented with big horns. He shouts out Lily Allen and Kanye West for helping him rise. Wale shows he means business as he opens with the line “I aint tryna be politically correct, but I won’t rest til I’m given my respect.”

2. “Mama Told Me” – This track instantly grabs your attention with the heavy bass. Wale spits about how difficult it is to make it to the top. He shouts out some people that have helped him make it this far.

3. “Mirrors” – Wale teams with Bun B to express how most artists are fake and can’t face themselves in the mirror. He lyrically challenges his haters to fight to see who’s the realest. The gothic guitars and heavy drums add to the intense mood of this track.

4. “Pretty Girls” – Wale attracts his female and DMV fan base with his hit single, that features Back Yard Band’s signature go-go beat. He teams with southern rapper Gucci Mane and demands the ‘Pretty girls’ to clap and the ‘ugly girls’ to be quiet.

5. “World Tour” – This track reveals Wale’s progress from being a dropout to traveling the world to perform for his fans. From New York to London, he’s gonna take us ‘all around the globe.’ Jazmine Sullivan’s powerful add libs add more momentum to this track.

6. “Let It Loose” – This track offers the typical ‘girls just wanna have fun’ theme as Wale and Pharrel describe the party girls who are ready to release their wild side and down for those one night stands.

7. “90210″ – Wale raps over this Nintendoish beat filled with electronic pulses as he describes the stereotypical L.A. girl, who has high dreams of becoming a celebrity. “She throws up whatever she eat/she leaves the bathroom with a nose bleed/regular girl, celebrity dreams/ she is 90210.”

8. “Shades” – Wale collabs with Chrisette Michele and deeply hits another topic that exists within him, but that is rarely made public. He professes that when he was younger; he was timid because of his darker skin and encourages blacks to not be ashamed of the shade of their skin. “I never fit in with them light skins/I felt the lighter they was, the better that they life is.”

9. “Chillin” – Wale puts the DMV area on the map and professes his cockiness in this first hit single. This track poses as his introduction to the industry. Lady Gaga’s sweet, catchy hook will have listeners chanting nonstop.

10. “TV in the Radio” – The rocking beat, electric guitar, classic horns, and K’naan’s unique voice gives this track a captivating sound. Wale gets hype about his style and individuality.

11. “Contemplate” – This track samples the hook from Rhianna’s “Question Existing,” which compliments the dark lyrics of Wale questioning his place in hip hop.

12. “Diary” – Wale unites with Marsha Ambrosius to present a black girl having difficulties holding her own. He opens his diary to help heal her pain and regain her independence.

13. “Beautiful Bliss” – Melanie Fiona opens this track with her soothing voice claiming, “It’s a beautiful day.” The horns and extensive piano contributes to the positive mood as Wale encourages listeners to focus on the prize at the end of the day.

14. “Prescription” – The D.C. native successfully sums up his album with a smooth beat of the congos, flutes, and soft piano keys. Wale proudly states that he is the new face of hip hop and his “lang. will provide as a pain killer.”

25 Magazine’s Letese Clark gives Mariah Carey’s 12th album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, a first listen.

Words by Letese Clark

Mariah Carey is back with her 12th studio album, Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel. Produced by Mariah Carey, The Dream, and Tricky Stewart, the album delves right into the love entangled pages of a diary, with entries on mostly heartache and good for nothing men.  Carey reminisces on “falling asleep on the phone and skipping school” in a classic high school love tale on the track “Candy Bling.”  On the track “H.A.T.E.U.,” Mariah can’t wait to hate the one man she’s always loved. The supersongstress concludes the album with “I Want to Know What Love Is,” an ode to knowing the highs of real love.  Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel is a heart tripped out on the ups and downs of love from beginning to end, and will definitely have the listener’s heart reminiscing on memoirs of their own.

1.  “Betcha Gon’ Know”:  It’s sweet, sweet revenge, for Carey in her opening track. Her man needs to watch out because she’s out to make him pay for the wrongs he’s done to her.

2.  “Obsessed”: The first single off the album, complimented with a music video poking fun rapper Eminem, is an aggressive Carey with straightforward lyrics assisted with an up-tempo beat.

3.  “H.A.T.E.U. (Having a Typically Emotional Upset)”: The relationship is over but letting go is so hard. This track is a soulful sequel to “Shake it Off” from The Emancipation of Mimi.

4.  “Candy Bling”:  Carey takes a trip down memory lane as she reminisces on a teenage love affair.

5.  “Ribbon”: “You got me wrapped up, packed up Ribbon with a bow on it.” Carey’s sold on someone’s love, is not going anywhere, and she is proud of it.

6.  “Inseparable”:  Another track about love gone wrong and hearts tossed to the side.

7.  “Standing O”:  Rihanna’s “Take A Bow” comes to mind as Carey sings to her cheating ex, “So cheers, toast, bravo to you.  Cus you’re the man of the hour.”

8.  “It’s a Wrap”: Mariah takes it back to her R&B roots on this one. She sings to her man, “once you’re gone, you’re not coming back” as she shuts the door behind him.

9.  “Up Out of My Face”: Carey pulls out her sass as she pushes this man out of her life. There is no repair for her heart as it has become hardened.

10.  “Up Out of My Face (The Reprise)”: A live band version of the original.

11.  “More Than Just Friends”: Mariah is going out on a limb and letting her friend know she wants more than just their platonic relationship.

12.  “The Impossible”:  The beat is mellow. She has restored love as her knight in shining armor comes and revives her broken heart.

13.  “The Impossible (The Reprise)”: Mariah Carey samples Jodeci’s “Forever My Lady” into a slower smoother version of the original song.

14.  “Angel (The Prelude)”: Carey’s voice floats over the beat of this prelude.

15.  “Angels Cry”:  The love is shaky again. It’s a worthy track but its sounds the same as the others; when she finds love again, it slips away.

16.  “Laughing (The Interlude)”: The title implies laughing but the lyrics say crying.

17.  “I Want to Know What Love It”: It’s the perfect ballad to close out the  tear soaked album. Mariah Carey starts the album with a broken heart and ends it with the search for love.

25 Magazine’s Tray Laws gives Melanie Fiona’s debut album The Bridge, a first listen.

Words by Tray Laws

New artist Melanie Fiona has the vintage soul vibe of the classic Motown era yet she still possesses the flavor to capture today’s hip-hop focused audience. This past July, Fiona’s hip-hop tastes were previewed on The Bridge mixtape she recorded with DJ Questlove, a live mix of songs from her then upcoming LP, and even Kanye West’s “Heartless.” Now Melanie Fiona shows how well she bridges today’s R&B, classic soul, reggae, and hip-hop on her debut album, The Bridge released on Universal Motown. The Canadian soul singer’s first single “Give it To Me Right,” leads an album filled with songs of life, love, and heartache. On the track “Monday Morning” Melanie belts about personal growth and moving on to pursue her dreams, and on “Teach Him” Melanie assures her lover some love he never felt before. The Bridge is a delightful compilation of deep stirring songs sung with passionate note worthy vocals; definitely a bridge worth crossing.

1. “Give It To Me Right”: Melanie Fiona sings with strong lyrics that drip with sexiness. The vocals are fresh, inviting, and compliment the beat. She doesn’t want it all the time, but when she does…give it to her right.

2. “Bang Bang”: A renegade’s theme song. This track definitely has a rock vibe. The vocals pair well with the beat.

3. “Monday Morning”: Once you have outgrown a place it’s time to move on. This track has a classic soul vibe. The harmonies are reminiscent of the girl groups of the Motown Era yet it’s still hip and relatable.

4. “Please Don’t Go (Cry Baby)”: On this track Fiona provides more of that Motown flavor singing about a love she wants to stay. She sounds amazing; however, the track is boring.

5. “Ay Yo”: This track provides insight on Fiona and why she decided to sing. A motivational song. The beat sounds familiar, and the vocals sound sincere.

6. “Walk on By”: Church is the first thing that comes to mind. Then once the beat drops it sounds country. This track is about a love that did her wrong and she wants him to pay for it.

7. “You Stop My Heart”: Another track with a vintage sound. The vocals sound good, but it’s starting to sound the same.

8. “Johnny”: The movie “Grease” is the first thought that comes to mind. Although the track is up tempo she sings about a love lost that draws you in and then you find yourself tapping your feet.

9. “Sad Songs”: Another track about love gone wrong. She vocally sounds great on this song, and the island vibe of this song is enjoyable.

10. “Priceless”: The song about love that is-priceless. This is the first song that sounds like her and not like some other era of music. The vocals are fresh and make me want to find a priceless love to sing about me.

11. “It Kills Me”: Fiona slows the pace down on with track. This track is relatable because so many people go through an unfaithful relationship that they may not want to give up.

12. “Teach Him”: The album closes with a sultry track about a man that needs a little love. Fiona sings of teaching him about the good side of love.

25 Magazine’s India Banks gives Kid Cudi’s debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day, a first listen.

Words by India Banks

Last year Kid Cudi released his first mixtape A Kid Named Cudi, and now a year later he’s released Man on the Moon: The End of Day, his debut album. One of the most buzzed about rap rookies in 2009, Cudi has peeled back his layers, allowing a transparent view of the internal struggles that made him feel alienable in this world, thus becoming “man on the moon.” Cudi crafts an experimental “electro-hop” album with melodious lyrics, into five different ‘Acts’ with rapper Common as narrator. The album features collaborations from Ratatat, MGMT, and Kanye West amongst others. Although Cudi shows worry and disdain on tracks like “Solo Dolo” and “Alive (Nightmare),” the songs “Pursuit of Happiness” and “Up Up Away” show Cudi’s emphatic views on his future. He may feel like he’s in a world of his own right now, but his extrinsic nature is a new wind gaining force in the evolving genre of hip-hop.

Act I: The End of Day

1. “In My Dreams” – Also known as the “Cudder Anthem,” Cudi enters his quest to outer space and invites his listeners into his dreams and thoughts.

2. “Soundtrack 2 My Life” – Cudi describes life’s depressing moments. He admits that he has hidden issues that he can only clearly express through his lyrics.

3. “Simple As…” – With lines such as, “I can’t be lame, I’m cooler than that,” Cudi shows his boastful side. He brushes off his shoulders to all his haters and keeps it moving.

Act II: Rise of the Night Terrors

4. “Solo Dolo” – This track is the opening to “Act II: Rise of the Night Terrors.” The slow beat and eerie background effects create a sinister theme. Cudi feels lonely, and he needs no one else as he is “soaring through paradise.”

5. “Heart of a Lion” –Cudi makes it clear that no one can break him. He is well on his path and is determined to accomplish his goals regardless of critics’ thoughts or actions.

6. “My World” – Cudi reminisces on times when his self esteem was low and no one cared about him. But he proudly affirms that “this will be my world,” to all the nay-sayers.

Act III: Taking a Trip

7. “Day N’ Nite” – The song subliminally revolves around using drugs to escape depression. The clever electro backdrops and heavy bass add to the overall sound of the track.

8. “Sky Might Fall” – This track puts listeners’ imaginations to work! Cudi spits, “Grey clouds stuck together fam/ lightening piercing through another land/ over the desert where the lost play/ soul searching each and every way, and then you see the awesome sounds.

9. “Enter Galactic (Love Connection)” – Cudi sings of his significant other joining him in entering a ‘galactic’ high.

Act IV: Stuck

10. “Alive (Nightmare)” – This is the classic tale of the werewolf-half man half monster, in which the latter comes alive with the full moon. Cudi eerily draws personal comparisons from this character.

11. “Cudi Zone” – Once again Cudi explains his contentment when he “soars high.”

12. “Make Her Say” – Kanye West and Common join Cudi on a tale of three men spitting about their humorous sexual conquests on a sample of Lady Gaga’s, “Poker Face.” Cudi’s verse is a refreshing change from the stop-start flow of his previous tracks.

13. “Pursuit of Happiness” – The combination of hip-hop and techno makes this track a success. These addictive lyrics are actually positive and simple. The smooth beat gives off a mellow vibe.

Act V: A New Beginning

14. Hyyerr – Another narcotic driven song! The mid-tempo beat and background claps are relaxing. “Hyyerr” is the first track where Cudi doesn’t use metaphors for drugs. His lyrics are blunt. “Back in high school smoke weed when I cut class and now I’m an addict tragic stay rolling up while reclining.”

15. Up, Up & Away – Great track to end this rather interesting album. It’s a new day and nothing has changed. Cudi states that he continues to be himself because people will judge anyway. His carefree attitude adds to his self-confidence.

25 Magazine’s India Banks gives Trey Songz’ third LP, Ready, a first listen.

Don’t let his baby face fool you, Trey Songz is proving himself to be a sex icon and the perfect ladies’ man with his highly anticipated third album Ready. On “Neighbors Know My Name” and “Yo Side of the Bed,” Songz tries to convince listeners that Kanye isn’t the only one with “a big ego,” as if we didn’t get the point with his other half dozen sensual singles.  However, tracks such as “LOL ,” are the oddball in the crowd of seductive tracks Songz chose for the album and should have been left on the backburner for consistency. Nevertheless, Ready shows a more mature, developed Songz stepping out and claiming his own path and seizing 2009’s “baby making” crown.

1. “Panty Droppa” – Songz released the “Death to Kelz on Autotune” diss track calling out R. Kelly for using autotune and claiming his “time” was up, but ironically Songz fails to escape R. Kelly’s shadow to find his own light on this track. He does manage to successfully show off his strong vocals, and keeps the introduction short and sweet, proclaiming it a “baby maker.”

1. “Neighbors Know My Name” – This is another lovemaking piece.  With the mid-tempo and dripping water backdrops, Songz professes his sexual skills and how they affect not only his lover, but also on the next door neighbor’s sleeping habits.

1. “Invented Sex” – The Dynamic Duo is back at it again. Songz brags over the heavy bass about being a lover with great expertise while Young Money’s latest signee Drake stamps the track with his clever smooth talk, making this another “club to the bedroom” track.

1. “I Need A Girl” – This song is reminiscent of the adolescent Trey Songz.  Songz is on a quest for Mrs. Right, and has no problem making it known.  His vocals could have been stronger.  Compared to the previous tracks, this should not have been a single.

1. “One Love” – The rock steady beat, has Songz singing passionately about becoming “one” with his lover. This one is definitely for the ‘wifey’ and  ‘hubbys’ not the side chicks or boyfriend number 2’s.

1. “Does He Do It” – Trey won’t let down a fight and aims to slide his way in to replace a female’s man, doubting her man’s bedroom skills. This is another boastful song of his sexual skills but could have been trimmed from the album.

1. “Say Aah” – Two words, Club Banger! Songz collabs with artist Fabolous to create an up-tempo, bass driven party hit.  It definitely remnant “Blame it on the Alcohol” with the “aah-ahhs” in the hook.

1. “LOL J” – The whole ladies’ man approach just failed with this stale track.  This song is irrelevant to the album. Trey has proven to do much better.  It sounds more like a Soulja Boy song with the catchy but corny lyrics.  Both Gucci Mane and Soulja Boy’s verses were a fail.

1. “Ready to Make Luv” – This short ballad is an introduction to the second half of the album.  Songz uses his high pitched vocals to make it clear that he is ready to make good love.

1. “Jupiter Love” – Songz elevates his listeners’ imagination on this melodic ballad and makes his lyrics visual.  He uses personification, such as “Girl your body’s talking, and I’m loving what she says” and compares their love to a fairy tale.

1. “Be Where You Are” – Trey is back to chasing girls again.  It sounds like another slow tempo song, until a techno beat drops and makes the song unique and interesting.  However, this track is not interesting enough to be apart of this album.

1. “Successful” –Trey Songz should have left this track in Drake’s possession.  His extra verse was not needed.  This was an original banger and did not need any changes or additional adlibs.

1. “Black Roses” – This track is pretty deep lyrically.  The Black Roses symbolize a “dying love.”  Songz takes a different approach to end a relationship by presenting black roses and making love a memory.  A mid-tempo beat, “Black Roses” is a refreshing track that is more unique than other tracks on the album.

1. “Love Lost” – This ballad may be the best on this album.  It takes one back to those “Human Nature” days.  Songz is proclaiming his loneliness because of his lost love.  His lyrics are captivating as he proclaims that the one that he needs does not need him.

1. “Hollalude” – This is a short prelude to “Holla If You Need Me.”  The heavy bass definitely is an-attention grabber and Songz gives background on a breakup.

1. “Holla If You Need Me” – On this track, Songz reassures his ex that he will always be there for her singing, “If you ever need me to be what you need girl I’m free and forever you can holla at me.”

1. “Yo Side of the Bed” – This closing track has a Maxwell vibe to it.  Songz shows his tenderness and admits that he won’t sleep when his lover is not there.  The guitar rift towards the end is one to admire.  Songz picked the perfect track to end the album.