By Fawn Renee

The term singer-songwriter is thrown around so carelessly these days that one would think every artist with a top ten hit is getting a big, fat royalty check. The truth is, the authenticity of the term singer-songwriter is so rare that when someone comes along and fits the mold perfectly it’s nothing short of magical. That’s what R&B singer Ne-Yo has done, almost effortlessly. He has transformed himself from songwriter to the stars, to one of the most successful singers in the world.

His evolution as a songwriter and an artist has been nothing short of magical. It’s not hard to see why the biggest names in Hip-Hop and R&B solicit his expertise when searching for their next big hit, or a chance to uncover their vulnerability as an artist. Even the late, great King of Pop reached out to Ne-Yo for work on, what was to be, his comeback album. And truth be told, if there was ever an MJ comparison worth respecting (all footwork aside), Ne-Yo is undoubtedly the closest thing there is.

With the pending release of his fourth studio album, Libra Scale, Ne-Yo is proving that he is not one to overlook. The album, which already boasts three hit singles, is a concept album based upon a short story written by the songwriter, which focuses on three characters who are confronted with the universal paradigm of morality- money and power versus love. They’re granted money, power and fame, but in return, they can never fall in love.

The album opens with “Champagne Life,” and begins the story of three average Joes who acquire success and wealth overnight. The song emerges with an illustrious string arrangement, and then the beat kicks in, with jaw-dropping snares and bass lines, evoking every nostalgic R&B bone in your body. From the vocal arrangement, borrowed from MJ, to the Al B Sure-esque adlibs, the song single-handedly takes the top spot for the best R&B track of 2010.

“Makin a Movie” is a sexy track, with phenomenal production by The Runaways. Unfortunately the lyrical content doesn’t match the quality of the vocal and musical arrangement. In the same vein “Telekinesis” is a delicate track, lead by a harmonious electric guitar. Still, these songs combined, don’t exude the sex appeal found in Ne-Yo’s previous panty droppers, “Mirror” and  “Say It.”

The Ryan Leslie produced “Crazy Love” sounds more like Leslie than Ne-Yo, but Leslie’s talent is so undeniable that you welcome the slight deterrent. “Crazy Love” finds the singer rationalizing a seemingly unhealthy relationship before Fabolous, the sole feature on the album, adds a bit of comic relief, concluding his verse with “Hit it from the back hard. Hope you got Geico.” The organic feel of the track, paired with the sincerity in Ne-Yo’s lyrics, make this song a winner.

The story progresses six songs in, where we find Ne-Yo and his two comrades entering a bar, commanding the attention of every woman there; all but one. This sets the tone for “One In a Million,” a soulful, acoustic ballad with an edge. The song opens with Ne-Yo trying his hand at free styling, which he fails at miserably, but manages to maintain its smoothness through the end of the four-minute track.

“Genuine Only” is Ne-Yo’s own, personal version of “Flaws and all.” Here we find him expressing his genuine desire to be with his newfound love interest, despite the issue that may arise. He sings, “I ain’t always gonna like you girl. You ain’t always gonna like me girl. But you’re the only one I want in this world.” The transparent lyrics dance atop a signature, percussion-heavy Syience track, with soulful fluidity.

On the up-tempo debut single, “Beautiful Monster,” we once again hear the magnetic appeal that comes from the collaboration between Ne-Yo and the Norwegian duo Stargate. The pulsating dance track fits seamlessly into the rest of the album, introducing us to the beautiful monster named Diamond Eye- the love interest/arch nemesis of the story, who eventually leads him to hurt and betray Pretti Sinclair, the woman he fell in love with just three songs earlier. The track attempts to garner the appeal of the hit single, “Closer” from The Year Of The Gentleman, but falls short.

The album closes with “What Have I Done,” the culmination of the story, where we find Ne-Yo reflecting on the detrimental consequences of his reckless behavior that virtually destroyed an otherwise beautiful young woman. The song, beautiful in both composition and vocal arrangement, conveys the emotion of heartbreak and remorse so familiar to the singer. While he’s stated in interviews that he is holding on to the songs he wrote for the late MJ for safe keeping, the MJ influence is so potent on this track that you have to wonder if Ne-Yo took this one for himself. Nevertheless, it’s a dramatic end to the story, and an excellent close of a musically remarkable album.

Staying power is what everyone in the industry strives to attain, and with each new album, Ne-Yo is proving that he has what it takes. He’s found a formula that works for him, and although it doesn’t provide much variety, it never gets old. Ne-Yo doesn’t fully execute the task of creating an album that’s the musical accompaniment of his short script; still, Libra Scale, with its lyrically conceptual framework and ceaselessly enjoyable production, is a masterful blend of new-age contemporary R&B with a classic appeal.  And while his feet may not be big enough to walk in MJ’s shoes, his soul certainly is.

Champagne Life

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3.75 out of 5

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