Cohesive album. But he has to be on the outs at his label. Maybe the album is the last on his current deal. There has been NO promotion.
Note that he didn't do the VMAs and has only softly been promoting on TV (always in conjunction with that movie...which makes me think those costs were covered by the film studio)
Wouldn't be surprised if he signed a deal elsewhere and pulled a semi-Frank Ocean by releasing again not too far from now. Or better yet having a Mariah Emancipation moment.
Didn't he work with Jermaine Dupri? None of those tracks are on the album.
Whatever the case, he's made a solid body of work that could serve as a firm foundation to re-build from. Hopefully no more "he sold out to Pop" chants.
I mean... it's not a bad album, but it's mediocre at best
Usher is more talented in all aspects than 99% of the currently active mainstream artists, so I REALLY want him to reinvent himself. The album is fine but it has nothing I haven't heard from him (or basically every r&b artist) before. That intro to Missin U especially made me cringe. Leave the "fat ass / thin waist" talk to the rookies, man. Come on
I didn't even know he was working on a new album. Where did all his promo go? Poor him, does this mean he's officially washed up and over the hill? He's always been so iconic. What's the trinity here? I need a quick-listen