Brandy’s next album seems to be on hold for the time being as she focuses on competing in the current season of Dancing with the Stars, but she’s just announced a forthcoming single from her upcoming family compilation album with brother Ray J, which ties into their hit reality show A Family Business.
Titled “Lifeguard”, the new single was produced by The Jam, who previously co-wrote on Brandy’s critically-acclaimed Human LP (“Piano Man”, “Warm it Up”), and have also worked with Leona Lewis (“Yesterday”), Shontelle (“Battle Cry”), and strangely enough, Michael Bolton. Brandy’s vocals on the song are perfect and soulful (as they always are), but the production is stale and offers nothing outside of your typical commercial, formulaic R&B. Brandy may be focusing more on the urban music scene in the same way that her girlfriend Monica did, but Monica’s lead single “Everything to Me” had a real retro kick and old-school passion to it, whereas “Lifeguard” is just plain ol’ dated. It could certainly find a nice home as a random album cut, but for a lead single it’s a total no go, especially given Brandy’s almost flawless history.
Still, don’t let a disappointing song dissuade you from voting for B-Rocka on Dancing with the Stars. If Flopzinger can win the show, then Brandy sure can. Oh wait, I forgot that Brandy’s black, so her votes will probably ‘accidentally’ end up in the trash next to Mya’s and Lil Kim’s. SMH!
