This ability to synthesize what music needs instead of catering to its whims is what has made Janet Jackson an enduring pop star. Unlike Madonna, whose presence and work open up much-needed conversations about sexuality, commodity, and the gendered age biases of pop music, Jackson, 49, exposes these conventions as construct. Unbreakable might be her most demure album in years, but that doesn't mean it's not sexy. Its strength comes from savvy instead of gimmickry, returning to the producers and formula Jackson built her career on (jubilant dance-pop, bedroom R&B, that angelic giggle). Because Unbreakable is about putting faith in one's career and fans, it plays like the natural next phase in Jackson's discography, which individually might be markers of their time but are ultimately ageless.
I am still surprised this album is mostly mid-tempo. Usually, Janet albums are almost always half slow jam, half banger. She did not pull the same formula this time. That much is obvious. But at the same time, she still kept true to her style
) but it's really good so far, BURNITUP! is really really cute
Janet has this uncanny ability to make both the happiest and the saddest pop music known to man.
